Prince George's first Christmas!

A baby's first Christmas is usually a festival of fun and family.

But when your great-grandmother is the Queen, it's also a holiday steeped in decades of tradition and etiquette.

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That's the dilemma facing the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge as they prepare to celebrate little George's first festive holiday.

Prince George on his christening day! Source: Getty

At just short of five months old, the prince won't be too fussed about the day's customs, but new parents Wills and Kate hope to set the tone for Christmases to come, New Idea reveals this week.

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"They're going to spend Christmas with the royal family at Sandringham House, and Catherine's family have been invited to Prince Philip's annual pheasant hunt on Boxing Day," Jessica Hay, Duchess Kate's oldest friend tells New Idea.

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"They'll travel down to Berkshire and do a second Christmas with the Middletons at their family home, which will be very relaxed - staying in pyjamas all day, eating chockie biscuits and watching television on the sofa."

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With baby George growing up by the minute - he's at the age where he 'reacts to colours', according to Hay - the royal couple are set for a very joyful, momentous occasion.

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"Catherine actually gets a little emotional about it as she's always loved Christmas," says Hay.

For all the joyful details about what baby George's first Christmas will entail, grab this week's issue of New Idea - out now!