The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge jetted off on a private holiday last week with their children Prince George and Princess Charlotte. While a Kensington Palace spokesperson revealed that the Cambridges had spent a few days in the French Alps, they declined to give further details.
It has now emerged that William and Kate were in Courchevel, according to a new report. The upmarket ski resort, situated in Les Trois Vallées, is known for its Michelin-starred restaurants, designer boutiques and unparalleled ski conditions.
It has been dubbed a "playground for the super wealthy", with celebrity visitors including David and Victoria Beckham, George Clooney, Lionel Richie, Geri Horner and Roman Abramovich.
© Photo: Getty ImagesReports claim that Prince William and Kate stayed in the upmarket resort of Courchevel
Prince William and Kate, who are both avid skiers, visited the resort before they were married. The couple also skied in the adjoining Méribel resort – a pretty Alpine village that also attracts royals and A-list celebrities since Brigitte Bardot helped put it on the map in the 1960s.
It may come as no surprise then that William, 33, and Kate, 34, decided to return to their much-loved region of Les Trois Vallées.
© Photo: PAThe Cambridges have visited the luxury destination and nearby Meribel resort in the past
A tourist officer said they "believed" William and Kate were in Courchevel, while Mail Online also reports that locals saw the couple lunching at a mountain restaurant, Le Pilatus, which features a large sun terrace and traditional Savoyard cuisine.
A source who works in Courchevel said: "I saw a beautiful picture on a mobile phone of them enjoying lunch. They were just eating, that's it. It was in a mountain restaurant. I am from Courchevel and I know the mountain behind."
A senior royal source has said that the Queen's grandson and his wife "booked and paid" for the short trip themselves; they also refused to say whether the family travelled on a commercial flight or by private jet.
© Photo: PAThe couple "booked and paid" for the short trip themselves
News of their holiday surfaced on Monday, when William and Kate agreed to share six charming holiday snaps via Kensington Palace. The couple were sweetly pictured with their children – two-year-old George and ten-month-old Charlotte, who were experiencing their first taste of snow.
The Telegraph went on to report that the official portraits were taken outside the £70 million home of French-born Saudi Arabian businessman Mansour Ojjeh. The distinctive fretwork gates of Chalet Lalisa, which is located in a very exclusive part of Courchevel, can be seen in the background of one of the photos.
Kensington Palace have insisted that the royals did not stay in the luxury chalet.
© Photo: PAThe family are said to have posed in front of Chalet Lalisa
Unlike past ski holidays taken by the British royal family, William and Kate only invited one photographer from Press Association, John Stillwell, to capture the holiday.
A palace spokesperson said: "This was their first holiday as a family of four and the first time either of the children had played in the snow. It was very special and fun short holiday for the family, and they are grateful that John Stillwell [The PA photographer] was able to capture the moment so well. The Duke and Duchess hope people enjoy the photos."
