The Princess of Wales made an unexpected visit to Café 98, Hoveton on Thursday, with the café being the only one run by East Anglia's Children's Hospices (EACH), of which the royal serves as patron.
As she entered the café, which also serves as a charity shop, the royal was seen looking at some of the wares on sale before being beckoned over to a table by a trio of customers. As Catherine approached their table, one of the women was seen showing off her purchase.
The woman pulled out a box containing a pair of mugs, which surprised Catherine. "You never know what you're actually going to find," she said, before adding that she loved going around charity shops.
Royal fans were touched by how Catherine interacted with the group of friends. One said: "She's so sweet with everyone. She loves people, no doubt, and will be an incredible queen," while a second added: "How many future Queens would stop and do that. We are truly blessed with the best."
A third posted: "Master class in charm and grace. Having dinner with a V.I.P guest and the next chatting about what someone bought. Lessons can be learned," while a fourth wrote: "So genuine and raw! She's simply the best! We love you so very much Catherine Princess of Wales."
Catherine's solo outing
The Princess of Wales has had a busy week, and on Thursday she headed to Ipswich on Thursday, where she visited The Treehouse children's hospice.
Catherine opened The Treehouse back in 2012, and her visit highlighted the transformative impact of the care, compassion and connection that EACH provides to children with life-limiting conditions and their families.
© Laura Lewis / Kensington Palace
The royal started her visit by seeing The Treehouse's new expansion project, where construction is underway on a new hydrotherapy pool, wellbeing and therapies suite, larger care activity area, dedicated teenage space, an additional bedroom and expanded kitchen and dining facilities.
During her visit, Catherine was seen walking through a sensory light room, while also taking part in music therapy classes with some of the children at the hospice.
© POOL/AFP via Getty Images
She finished her day with a visit to the café in Wroxham, a village in Norfolk. During her time there, she admitted to one of the visitors that she was missing her eldest son, Prince George, who is studying at Eton College.
The royal will have welcomed her son back to Forest Lodge on Friday, after the school broke up for the half-term holidays. The break means that George will be celebrating Halloween and Bonfire Night with his younger siblings and parents.
