Kate Middleton and Prince William's babysitter is just like ours

Turns out the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are a little more like us than we originally thought!

Instead of splashing out on a nanny to look after their three kids while enjoying a night out, Kate Middleton and Prince William called on Grandma to take on babysitting duty.

The Duchess's mum, Carole Middleton, 64, was spotted leaving Kensington Palace on Wednesday December 11, where she was believed to be picking up her grandchildren, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and one-year-old Prince Louis.

Perhaps Kate and William's live-in nanny, Maria Borrallo, had taken the night off to attend her own Christmas party.

The royal couple, meanwhile, busied themselves at the annual Diplomatic Corps Reception at Buckingham Palace, where they mingled with Prince Charles, Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, and The Queen's guests, which included a select bunch of ambassadors, high commissioners and government officials.

This is the beginning of a stretch of family time for George, six, and Charlotte, four, in particular, who have finished up school for the year, breaking until the new term begins on January 7, 2020.

And while the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, are opting out of a royal Christmas to spend the festive period with Markle's mother Doria Ragland, the Cambridges are believed to be spending the holidays at their Norfolk estate.

Following tradition, Prince William and Middleton are expected to join the Queen and the royal family at Sandringham on Christmas Day, walking to church and mingling with locals.