It is a beautiful country house in an idyllic location on the Sandringham estate which Prince William enjoyed spending childhood holidays exploring.

The Grade II listed Anmer Hall has been part of the royal estate since 1898 and sits a short drive away from the Queen's Sandringham House.

And now the reigning monarch is reportedly said to be preparing to give the rural home to her grandson William and wife Kate as they gear up for the arrival of their first child.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are set to move into a newly renovated apartment inside Kensington Palace in West London later this year and would use the Norfolk mansion house as a country retreat.

Tucked away at the end of a gravel drive and situated close to Anmer Church, the late Georgian country house was lived in by the Duke and Duchess of Kent between 1972 and 1990.

It is considered to be one of the Queen's most charming properties in her portfolio and is currently leased by James Everett, the owner of the kitchen and timber company Norfolk Oak.

It comes after it emerged that the Queen was planning on giving her grandson and his wife one of the cottages on the Sandringham estate to mark his 30th birthday.

The 86-year-old owns around 150 properties on the estate but it is not known which cottage has been chosen.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have fond memories of Sandringham after spending their first Christmas as husband and wife there in 2011.

This year, however, the royal couple spent Christmas at Kate's family home in Bucklebury, Berkshire.

A spokesman for Buckingham Palace has said no comment would be made on private properties on the Queen's private estates.

It comes as the Queen is advertising for a employee who must be willing to travel for up to three months of the year around her palaces - including Sandringham - to do the dishes.

The successful applicant will be based at Buckingham Palace but must be prepared to travel to Sandringham, Windsor, Balmoral and the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh when the household moves around.

Travel to the various Royal residences has been made a 'mandatory requirement' for the �14,200-a-year job.

The General Catering Assistant (Wash Up) - as it has been formally described - will mainly work in the staff restaurant of the royal household but also wash other royal dishes too.

'You must be willing to work away from London for up to three months of the year,' says the job advert on the royal website.

'You will join the team responsible for maintaining the cleanliness of the staff restaurant, wash-up areas and equipment in accordance with the Health and Hygiene Regulations to ensure the smooth operation of the staff restaurant.'

The successful applicant must be 'punctual, reliable, able to work well in a team and have a flexible and willing attitude.'

The 40-hours-a-week job is an official position paid for from the Civil List.

The job does offer accommodation and has a closing date of January 15. Experience of a similar job is 'desirable.'