The Princess of Wales has admitted she has missed her eldest son Prince George since he started boarding school and is looking forward to him returning home for the holidays.
Thirteen-year-old George started at Eton College last month and will return home for his first "long leave" tomorrow. His younger siblings, Princess Charlotte, 11, and Prince Louis, eight, also break up from Lambrook School tomorrow for a two-week half term.
Charity Shop Visit in Norfolk
Today, Kate visited a joint charity shop and cafe in Norfolk for East Anglia's Children's Hospices (Each), where she chatted with surprised customers and was asked how her children were getting on.
Denise Ashton, 68, who was sat with two friends when the princess came over for a chat, said: "She said she's looking forward to George coming home - she's missed him." She added: "They may be going somewhere (during the break)."
It was just last month that Kate and husband Prince William were seen dropping George off for his first day at the prestigious Eton College, which sees him following in the footsteps of his father.
Conversations with Locals
While chatting to locals who had gathered outside the shop after word quickly spread of the royal visit today, the princess asked children if they were on half term. One youngster told her that it was his last day today, and she replied: "My children break up tomorrow and I can't wait to have them all home."
Kate's visit to Café 98 in Hoveton, East Anglia's Children's Hospices' first and only café located within one of the charity's retail stores, was kept under wraps due to the café's small size.
When she walked in, locals enjoying a cup of tea and browsing the rails couldn't believe the future Queen had stopped by. As she headed over to the counter to greet catering Manager Morgan Neary, a group of ladies called her over asking: "Do you want to see our shopping?"
"Oh yes please," Kate said, darting over to them. "Do you come in here quite a bit?" Essie Landsborough, 75, who sat opposite Ms Ashton, said "yes" as she rifled through her carrier bag and pulled out a box of two port sippers.
Looking at the boxes, the future queen said: "You never know what you're going to find [in a charity shop]. That's what's so nice. It feels a bit more like a treasure hunt."
Volunteering and Sorting Donations
Interrupting with a tone of surprise, Ms Landsborough said: "Do you go to charity shops?" "Yes I do," the princess said. "I love going round a charity shop. When I was up at university in St Andrews there were a lot of charity shops."
Kate also met helpers in an upstairs sorting area where clothes were examined and graded, and when one volunteer told her with the "cost-of-living" crisis shoppers bought "party wear" the princess replied "So much just goes to waste – should be given another life."
She was given the task of helping volunteer Christine Rich sort through some items and when she discovered an expensive looking coat had been attacked by moths said "that's a shame" and was told to put it in the "imperfect" pile.
Kate asked about the background of helpers and was told young people, as well as the retired, donated their time. She said: "I sometimes think people want to volunteer but they don't know how…(we) need to make it a bit easier if they want to volunteer."
Visit to The Treehouse Hospice
Earlier in the day, the princess had spent nearly an hour talking to children and families who are receiving care during an emotional visit to The Treehouse hospice in Ipswich.
The unit provides short breaks and palliative support for children and young people with life-limiting conditions, and bereavement support for families. During her visit Kate, who previously opened the hospice in March 2012, toured its music therapy room and a sensory room with special lighting, a water bed and a projector.
Among those the princess met at the Treehouse was 13-year-old Charlotte Freegard, who has a rare genetic muscle disorder called nemaline myopathy. Kate sat with Charlotte at the piano as the youngster sang the Ed Sheeran hit Perfect, with the princess breaking out in a round of applause and telling her she was 'brilliant' after her performance. The princess told her: "Charlotte, that was beautifully sung. Well done, you."
Kate said it was good for the children to have so much musical equipment and asked Charlotte: "You're able to express yourself and really enjoy yourself?" to which the girl replied: "Definitely."
The future queen also met four-year-old Primrose Harvey, who has a rare congenital heart defect called hypoplastic right-heart syndrome, and her parents who regularly bring her to The Treehouse. The little girl's mother, Katie, told the princess that Primrose has had three heart surgeries, including one at six days old and another only two weeks ago. Kate told Primrose's mother: "Super brave girl and brave parents too."
Mrs Harvey said it was "lovely" to speak to the Princess of Wales about her daughter and the support they receive. She said: "It was really lovely just to talk about, you know, how amazing Each is for us as a family. It's really nice for her to come here and see first-hand how much they do for families."
Meanwhile, Freddie Ormrod, 11, who has the mitochondrial genetic disorder Leigh syndrome, which causes epileptic seizures and profound physical disability, played chimes and a tambourine during Kate's visit. Freddie's father, James, jokingly told the princess there was only so long he could listen to the chimes, to which she replied: "It is noisy. Often in our household, the noisier the instrument the better."
Kate also met a group of bereaved parents, who are still supported by the hospice, and she listened to their stories while giving one of them a hug.
Earlier, the princess, who was wearing a dark green blazer and trousers, donned a white hard hat and orange hi-vis vest to visit a construction site where the hospice is being expanded, including a new hydrotherapy pool, a wellbeing and therapies suite, and a new bedroom that will be completed in 2028.
