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With the economy in crisis, millions of Britons are scaling back their holiday plans this year, if they haven’t abandoned the idea completely.

But Prince William doesn’t seem too concerned with tightening his belt – he has just booked a romantic £40,000 Alpine getaway with his girlfriend Kate Middleton.

He is whisking her off to Klosters, the exclusive Swiss ski resort where the Royals normally spend their Easter, but this year – for a change – his father isn’t coming along.

Keen skier: Kate Middleton at Klosters, Switzerland during last year's Easter Holiday

William, 26, is breaking with tradition by shunning the five-star Walserhof Hotel, where Prince Charles has traditionally holidayed with his sons, in favour of a lavishly appointed private chalet.

He is planning to travel with the exclusive tour operator Descent, which offers ‘the best ski experience that money can buy’ – including Michelin-star home-cooked dinners and a limitless supply of Perrier-Jouet champagne.

Descent offers two villas to its VIP clientele: the commanding Chesa Falcun with sauna, steam shower and massage room, and Chalet Eugenia, a baronial retreat with roaring fires, vast oak-beamed ceilings, antique furniture and views across a snow-covered field.

Height of luxury: Chalet Eugenia in the resort of Klosters

To rent either of the six-bedroom villas costs close to £40,000 a week, but it is not known which William has plumped for.

Both villas have been booked for the week of April 5 until Easter Sunday, and each offers spa baths, large balconies, dining rooms with wood-fired ovens and trained chefs on call 24 hours a day.

Other staff include a chalet manager, a housekeeper, two chauffeurs and two full-time butlers.

Fit for a Prince: One of the Chesa Falcun's six bedrooms

A source said: ‘William has booked a chalet which is out of this world. It’s not the place they usually stay, but William has decided he wants to do something different.

‘His father has said he is not going skiing this year, so William has decided to do his own thing with a few of his closest friends.

'The friends will all be paying their share – although William will be treating Kate.

'He’s really looking forward to it. The protection officers have yet to give it the final green light but a decision will be taken this week.’

Bubbly bath: The Royal and his friends could be enjoying themselves in this jacuzzi, with a mountain view

The Prince of Wales, who has been going to Klosters for almost 40 years, is understood to be giving up skiing because of a back condition and concerns over
the environment.

A source said: ‘Charles loves skiing but it’s got increasingly difficult as he has got older and his back has got worse. He leaves it for the boys to enjoy now.

‘He also really worries that people will start criticising him for taking too many jollies and notching up a big carbon footprint.

'Camilla never skis and Charles has said he is probably giving the trip a miss this year.’

The open fire, in front of which William and Kate can lounge

It is not known whether Prince Harry will be joining his brother on the slopes but Kate’s sister Pippa has been invited.

Kate, an expert skier, accompanied the party to Klosters last year, where she was pictured embracing William for the first time.

A spokesman for Descent said: ‘Both of the villas in Klosters are booked for the Easter week but we are not able to give any information out about our clients.’

A Palace spokesman said: ‘We never comment on the Princes’ private lives.’