Carole Middleton reveals the sweet Christmas prank she plays on Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis

Most parents mix up the mischief with the Christmas tradition of Elf on the Shelf, however, Carole Middleton does something a little different each holiday season ...

Like any other grandmother, Princess Kate's mum is eager to make the festive season "magical" for her beloved grandchildren, so every year she has a little fun with one particular Christmas decoration.

Carole - who runs a successful party shop that sells a variety of items including festive decorations with her husband, Michael - revealed her royal grandchildren adore small gnome-like stuffed toy characters with little round noses and large hats.

Taking to social media she shared that Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis adore these silly characters and sometimes she pranks her grandchildren by hiding them around the house so that the children discover them with a surprise.

Alongside a photo of two bearded Santa gnomes, she wrote: I'm going to need a few of these cheeky chaps this December, to hide around the house and make my grandchildren laugh.

"As much as I love immaculate decorations, we can't be too serious at Christmas!" Carole added.

Carole and Michael are also grandparents to Pippa Middleton's son Arthur, four, and daughters Grace, one, and Rose, six months.