Prince William is next in line to the throne and royal experts believe he and Kate Middleton will make some major changes to the way things are done when they take charge

Kate Middleton and her family took a ski vacation in the Alps sometime between Christmas at Sandringham and her 43rd birthday on Jan. 9, which she is thought to have celebrated at home.

According to the Mail on Sunday, Kate celebrated the new year by taking a skiing vacation in the Alps. Kate was joined on the trip, which reportedly happens "just over two weeks ago," by her husband, Prince William, and their three children, Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, 9, and Prince Louis, 6.

Kate Middleton's maternal instincts took over during her latest outing in the sweetest way. She even broke royal tradition to greet a young well-wisher during her most recent engagement. On January 30,

A palace source tells People that the couple is "more open" now following Kate's battle with cancer, adding that the Prince and Princess of Wales "talk about their relationship together" and are showing a different side to their traditionally private partnership.