Kate MiddletonKate Middleton has reportedly moved into Royal residence Clarence House with boyfriend Prince William.

Royal sources told the Sun that the arrangement is “unofficial” at the moment but Kate has been staying there almost full time for the last two months and is becoming “part of the furniture”.

The couple, who officially split in April before reconciling in June, are said to be staying together in William’s private apartment in the palace, with the source explaining: “Wills has a room in the officers’ mess at Combermere Barracks in Windsor. But the only time he has been staying there is when he has a crack of dawn start.”

“The rest of the time he has stayed in London - almost always accompanied by Kate.”

Kate is said to have handed over her Chelsea flat to younger sister Pippa, sparking rumours that the royal couple’s arrangement is permanent and their engagement is possibly just months away: “She and William have had a rollercoaster year, but it is fair to say they’re closer than ever.”

“Since getting back together in the summer their relationship has matured and they are now on far more of an equal footing. Kate left her job in October and since then has spent the bulk of her time with William in Clarence House when he is in town.”

Earlier in the month, it was rumoured that Kate would duck out of Christmas obligations, including traditional festive hunts, with her soon-to-be-in-laws in favour of a Caribbean holiday with her parents but yesterday she joined William on a pheasant shoot in Windsor Great Park.