The Princess of Wales has revealed she often forgets her handbag when she is out and about, admitting that people frequently have to run after her to remind her.
Princess Catherine made the confession during a recent visit to the West Sussex Minibus Service in Pulborough, where she met diners enjoying their lunch in a village hall. The service has been running for 50 years.
A hands-on royal visit
During the visit, Catherine was seen helping Stella Drewett, 94, as she left home using a walking frame, putting a comforting hand on her arm and offering support as she climbed into the vehicle. When the princess asked about her trips out for lunch, Ms Drewett joked that they meant “one day of not cooking”.
Catherine also joked about forgetting her handbag, saying: “Everyone always runs after me [shouting], 'You forgot your handbag.'”
Meeting the community
On arrival, Catherine met senior figures from the minibus service and told them: “It’s kind of a lifeline”. Word had spread about the royal visitor in the village, and her route to the car taking her home was lined with charity workers, mothers with toddlers and passers-by.
The princess played a jumping game with two little boys, Arthur, aged three, and his one-year-old brother Albie, who jumped off the kerb as their mother, Thea Botley, 25, watched. Catherine held Albie’s hand as he repeatedly jumped, and Ms Botley said afterwards: “He doesn’t really like people holding his hand, so I was quite shocked when he took her hand. He doesn’t always like to hold mine. She was lovely, I didn’t expect her to be playing with my children.”
Chats and cocker spaniels
Amanda Ridley was making a video call to her twin sister and mother as she chatted to Catherine, and the princess greeted those online with a “hello”. She was also taken with Jack, a three-year-old cocker spaniel belonging to Teressa Beacher, crouching down to rub his ears and scratch his head.
