Mike Tindall is to spend his first Christmas with Britain's royal family.
The former England rugby captain - who is married Queen Elizabeth's granddaughter to Zara Phillips - is being “welcomed back into the royal fold” following his drunken antics at the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand, for which he was fined by the Rugby Football Union.
Mike and Zara - who tied the knot at Edinburgh's Canongate Kirk in July - will spend Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with the rest of the royal family at the monarch's Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, East England.
However, the 33-year-old sportsman will miss out on the traditional Boxing Day pheasant shoot due to rugby commitments.
A friend told the Mail On Sunday newspaper: “Zara and Mike are going to Sandringham to join the Royal Family. They will exchange their gifts on Christmas Eve before a drinks reception and a banquet.
“Mike has said he'll be on his best behaviour because he's playing rugby for Gloucester on Boxing Day. He won't be drinking any alcohol.”
A royal aide added: “The Queen has extended an invitation to all her grandchildren.”
Mike will narrowly miss the arrival of Duchess Catherine's younger sister Pippa Middleton, who has reportedly been invited to spend Boxing Day with the royal family.
An insider recently said: “Kate will of course miss her family on Christmas Day - she has traditionally spent it with them. She wants Pippa to join her at Sandringham on Boxing Day because it will make being apart from her family at Christmas a little easier.
“Pippa's very keen to go and she's been on a couple of shooting weekends to make sure she won't let the side down. She gets on very well with William and Prince Harry, and the Duke of Edinburgh has a soft spot for her.
“It's unusual for non-family members to receive an invitation, but William wants Kate to feel comfortable and he knows having her sister there will mean a great deal to her.” - Bang Showbiz