Prince William is thinking of giving Kate Middleton a £5 million house for her 31st birthday

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Kate Middleton’s 31st birthday is next week and, right on schedule, there’s a fresh batch of rumours about what her husband has planned for the big day. Well, we hope Kate stays off the internet until January 9 if she wants to be surprised: Royal sources are claiming that Prince William is on the hunt for a house. Of course, given that he’s the Duke of Cambridge and she’s the Duchess, this isn’t any ordinary piece of real estate. Kate Middleton’s birthday gift is said to be in the £5 million range, as the royal couple want a home on a property so large that it will trump the prying eyes of curious paparazzi and zoom-lens cameras. (Remember what happened in France?)

As for where this birthday gift of a house will be located, the royal source claims that Kate and Will “don’t want to be too close to London as they are already based in Buckingham palace.” Apparently Hampshire and Buckinghamshire rank high on the list of eligible areas, with Will shortlisting a few key properties in both. Not yet on the list: Bucklebury, where Kate Middleton’s parents live. However, considering that the entire town is currently engulfed in a—wait for it—manure fire (yikes!) we understand why the royals are avoiding that area.

Other rumours about Kate Middleton’s birthday suggest that she’s looking to keep things low-key and will celebrate the day in private. (Read: at home, not partying in the streets of London.) The same source claims that Kate will “just want to be with her family and enjoy her last birthday with Wills before there’s a little one to look after.” While we suspect that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will have plenty of support once the royal baby comes, why not spend one last birthday alone together?

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