Kate and Pippa Middleton Kicked of New Year’s Festivities Early

Kate Middleton began her New Year’s festivities on Monday (December 30) by spending some time with her sister and friends. Duchess Kate and her sister Pippa spent the day at a laid-back celebration in Bucklebury.

Kate Middleton attends the premiere of ‘Mandela’ with Prince William in London

“Kate looked incredible,” a friend told People. “She was very jolly and very happy.” 

The 31-year-old gave birth to her and Prince William’s son George back in July, but has apparently already lost her baby weight. The friend said she “has really got her figure back. If anything she actually looks better now than before she had Prince George.”

The party was for the girls, and the princes didn’t seem to be anywhere in sight.

“The thing that really strikes you is that she is just so normal and smiley,” the friend said. “There are no lights on Kate here, so she can be totally relaxed and herself.

“I came away from the party thinking, ‘She looks really happy.’ Kate really is glowing and full of life.”

Rumors recently had Pippa engaged to her boyfriend, but there (again) appears to be nothing to those rumors. She has been busily working on her career, and it looks like she has been spending time with her sister as well.

Pippa Middleton celebrating a night out with friends in London

The Duke and Duchess spent Christmas with the Queen and Prince Charles in a much more formal setting. The new family of three hasn’t said what they will be doing as they ring in the new year, but they have a bright future ahead of them in 2014.

Prince William will be headed back to school, and the new parents will be bringing Prince George on his first trip to Australia and New Zealand.