Duchess of Cambridge surprises shoppers as she's spotted in discount store The Range

The Duchess of Cambridge surprised shoppers at the weekend, when she was spotted buying Christmas gifts in bargain store The Range.

One shopper told The Mail that she recognised Kate and her two eldest children Prince George, 5 and Princess Charlotte, 3, as they perused the aisles at the store in King’s Lynn, Norfolk, close to the Queen’s Sandringham estate.

Teacher Sarah Daniels, 43, said: “As I was looking at the shelves I noticed a tall dark-haired lady further down the aisle and thought to myself ‘I recognise that face’.

‘Then I heard George say ‘Charlotte, pick that up’ and the penny suddenly dropped as to who they were.

“It seemed like a lovely family outing for them the day before Christmas Eve.”

George is said to have shown interest in a £1.25 Dinosaur Baby Egg Slime in the toy aisle, but Mrs Daniels “didn’t register a response” from the prince’s mother.

At another point, Kate who was dressed casually in a tweed jacket and jeans, referred to her daughter Charlotte as “poppet.”

It is thought that the Duchess could have been picking up last minute presents for the Royal Family, who traditionally exchange gifts on Christmas Eve. They are encouraged to buy each other something cheap and humorous.

In previous years, Prince Harry reportedly gifted the Queen an ‘ain’t life a b***h’ bath hat, while Kate gave Harry a ‘grow-your-own girlfriend’ kit (of course, this was in the pre-Meghan Markle era).

Princess Diana apparently didn’t get the memo during her first Christmas with the royals and reportedly bought Princess Anne a cashmere jumper.

The Range was set up by former market trader Chris Dawson in 1989 with its first shop opening in Plymouth. The discount retailer, which sells a whole host of home, garden and leisure products, has 160 stores across the UK and Ireland.

The royals are spending the festive period at the Queen’s Sandringham estate, with Kate and William staying at their nearby country home Anmer Hall. They are expected to join the Duke and Duchess of Sussex for the annual church service at St Mary Magdalene on Christmas Day.

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