Somehow reached Christmas Eve without crossing off all of your Gifts To Buy list? Preparing to head out and elbow your way through the worst of humanity in the stores this afternoon? Don’t worry—you can now just tell anyone who disapproves of your last minute approach that you’re doing things Duchess-style. Amazingly, it turns out that even Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge, manages to leave her Christmas shopping until the very last minute. We love relatable royalty.
Kate was spotted keeping it real at a bargain store on Saturday, completing her holiday gift hunt with an excited Princess Charlotte and Prince George in tow. The royal children were by their mother's side as she unassumingly browsed at The Range, an affordable home and leisure retailer, just fifteen minutes from Sandringham, where the family will spend their Christmas with the Queen.
In pictures obtained by The Sun, the Duchess can be seen keeping it casual in a green winter coat and scarf, with her hair tied back in an effortless ponytail as she headed to the checkout. According to onlookers, Kate purchased “trolley-loads of pictures, children’s books and artist materials,” so it was seemingly all an effort to keep the royal children entertained through the holidays.
But, while he did head back home to Sandringham armed with new paints and crayons, Prince George had a few other ideas, too. Apparently, a witness of Kate’s unexpected shopping spree told the Mail Online that George asked if they could buy some dinosaur slime, too.
A shopper, Mrs Daniels, recalled: “As I was looking at the shelves I noticed a tall dark-haired lady further down the aisle and thought to myself 'I recognize 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.”
One mum told The Sun: “I recognized little Prince George holding Kate’s hand and Charlotte with a red bow in her hair. Their protection officers were keeping a discreet distance so they looked like any other family out grabbing last-minute Christmas bargains.
“When Kate got to the checkouts I plucked up courage to ask if she’d do a selfie with me and my kids. She very politely declined. She was so nice, explaining she was just doing a bit of Christmas shopping."
Stay In The Know
Marie Claire email subscribers get intel on fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more. Sign up here.
Imagine popping to the store to pick up your final ribbons, wrapping paper, and sprouts—only to find actual Kate Middleton browsing the novelty festive socks and Prince George checking out the slime offerings. It's a true Christmas miracle.
For more celebrity news, beauty and fashion advice, savvy political commentary, and fascinating features, sign up for the Marie Claire newsletter.
RELATED STORY
Lucy Wood spends most of her time writing about celebrity news, reading books, and waiting for the glorious day that she have enough millions for a pet sloth. She also has a YouTube channel on the go where she pretends to know things about fashion and life advice.
-
Rumi Carter Makes Her Debut on Beyoncé's "Cowboy Carter"
Like mother, like daughter.
By Meghan De Maria Published
-
Power Pick: Shark FlexStyle
"It’s singlehandedly given me the confidence to do my own hair."
By Brooke Knappenberger Published
-
Gillian Anderson, Who Played Margaret Thatcher on ‘The Crown,’ Says the Show Ended at Just the Right Time
Anderson stars in another royally adjacent role in another Netflix project, ‘Scoop,’ out next week.
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
British Royal Lady Gabriella Windsor's Husband Has Died at 45
Lady Gabriella is King Charles' second cousin.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
George, Charlotte and Louis Will Be Laden With Gifts as Prince William Returns From New York
He was handed so many souvenirs for the little ones.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
Prince William Makes Sure to "Treat George and Charlotte as Equals," Body Language Expert Says
I should hope so!
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
Prince William Isn't "A Workaholic Like His Father," Royal Expert Claims
He's got more of a work-life balance.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
Princess Kate's New "Signature" Gesture? The Stealthy "Bum Pat" to Prince William
Love this for her.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
Prince Harry Says His "Spirit Is Renewed" as He Attends the Warrior Games for Wounded Service Members in San Diego
The Games inspired his Invictus concept.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
Prince William Not Expected to Invite Prince Harry to His Coronation, Friend Claims
That doesn't sound good.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
We Finally Know Where the Earthshot Prize 2023 Will Take Place
Let's go!
By Iris Goldsztajn Published