The new Prince of Wales and Princess of Wales, both 40, stepped out of a dark Range Rover near the estate’s historic Norwich Gates, where they were warmly greeted by huge crowds waiting behind metal barriers to catch a glimpse of the couple.
A well-wisher, Gemma Schultz, spoke to William after spotting her baby wearing a Paddington top and commented on the bear’s popularity following the Queen’s skit with the jam-sandwich-loving character for her Platinum Jubilee Celebrations in June.
The Prince joked: “I was saying, I think Paddington might have knocked the Corgi off the top spot now. Corgis won’t take it too well.”
After the conversation, Gemma told BBC News that William and Kate were “good and genuine people”, adding: “We spoke to William and we spoke to Kate, they both said about his little clothes, how nice they were … All the things they do for everyone are very nice.”
The Prince and Princess of Wales, who stayed for nearly an hour chatting with royal fans young and old, looked deep into their minds as they read the messages in the sea of floral tributes left behind at the gates of the royal residence.
William told a woman waiting in the crowd that yesterday’s procession was “very difficult” and “brought back some memories” of walking behind his mother Diana’s coffin, before – close to sobbing – telling her: “Don’t cry now , you will start me.
William was also heard telling a mourner that the Queen was “everyone’s grandmother” and saying that Prince George, nine, understood she had died, but Princess Charlotte, seven, and Prince Louis, four, less so. Meanwhile, Kate told a woman she would burst into tears if she read too many sympathy cards.
With King Charles III enjoying some precious rest at his Highgrove estate in Gloucestershire, the rest of his family took up the mantle – with Sophie, Countess of Wessex, embracing mourners in Manchester and Princess Anne visiting Glasgow.
Prince William joked that Paddington “took the Corgi off the top” and that the Queen’s beloved pets “won’t take it too well” when they visit mourners in Sandringham today.
A well-wisher, Gemma Schultz, spoke to William after spotting her baby wearing a Paddington top and commented on the bear’s popularity following the Queen’s skit with the jam-sandwich-loving character for her Platinum Jubilee Celebrations in June.
The Prince joked: “I was saying, I think Paddington might have knocked the Corgi off the top spot now. Corgis won’t take it too well.”
The Queen’s sketch with Paddington Bear for her Platinum Jubilee celebrations in June, photo
The Prince and Princess of Wales inspect flowers left by well-wishers outside Sandringham in Norfolk this afternoon
The Prince and Princess of Wales thanked well-wishers at Sandringham this afternoon in a post on their Twitter account
Fran Morgan, 62, spoke to Kate as she and William addressed the huge crowd who had turned out to see them at Sandringham, the Queen’s Norfolk estate. Recalling their conversation, Mrs Morgan said: “She said she couldn’t believe how many cards and flowers there were. But she also said: ”I can’t read them all or I’d cry.”
One guest who missed the entire visit was three-month-old Eddie Shakespeare who fell asleep as soon as the royal couple arrived.
His mother Maisie, 27, from Cambridgeshire, said: “I wanted to wake him up and show him to Kate but I didn’t have the heart. She thanked me for coming and said that all the sympathy meant a lot to her and William. I’m glad I came, but as for Eddie, I’ll just have to tell him when he’s older!’
In Manchester, Sophie, Countess of Wessex, met Josh, a young mourner who was waiting to see her with his mother, Sue.
Recounting the moment they met, Sue said: “He just said ‘nice to meet you, do you want me to take your flowers?’ Josh then said “can I have a hug?”. They hugged and then he asked for a photo. The bouquet is signed by Josh, but it also has my name on it.’
Asked how the moment felt, Josh – who is non-verbal – replied: “Happy.”
Meanwhile in Glasgow, The Princess Royal spoke to crowds outside Glasgow City Chambers. Given a bouquet by a young lady, she said, “Isn’t it for me?” to which the girl replied, “It’s for you.” Anna, clearly moved, took the flowers and thanked her.
Kate chats to a member of the crowd who had gathered to meet her and Prince William outside Sandringham in Norfolk
A small baby looks on with concern as the Princess of Wales chats with people in the crowd at Sandringham
Kate shows something in the background – as a young lady copies her – during her walk in Norfolk this afternoon
Prince William smiles as he speaks to a mother and her infant son who have come to pay their respects to Queen Elizabeth II
Prince William gestures as he speaks to a young woman, holding a baby, as crowds gather in Sandringham
Royal fans scrambled to snap photos and capture the historic moment as the new Princess of Wales greeted members of the public outside Sandringham Estate today
Prince William warmly greets members of the public who have been patiently waiting to catch a glimpse of the new Prince and Princess of Wales
Prince William provided a memory these youngsters will treasure for life as he graciously stopped to speak to pupils waiting to meet the royals at the gates of Sandringham House today
Catherine, Princess of Wales talks to a girl as she looks at flowers left in tribute to the Queen
The Prince and Princess of Wales show the floral tributes left by mourners at the foot of Norwich Gates
Today, Prince William told a woman in Sandringham today that yesterday’s procession was “very difficult” and reminded her of walking behind his mother Diana’s coffin as he told her: “Don’t cry now, you’re going to start me. ‘
1997 – Prince Philip, William, Earl Spencer, Harry and Charles during Princess Diana’s funeral in September 1997
There were many young children in the crowd at Sandringham, with Kate making sure to chat with them
The ever-stylish Princess of Wales looks away alongside a young lady as she met members of the public waiting outside the royal residence at Sandringham today
The Prince and Princess of Wales, dressed in black as is tradition during the period of royal mourning, look out over a sea of flowers
The royal couple paused for several minutes to take stock of the staggering number of flowers, cards, gifts and tributes left to the late Queen Elizabeth II after her death.
The Princess of Wales cuts a somber figure as she inspects the sea of flowers left by mourners
Kate enchanted those members of the public waiting in the crowd at Sandringham House
Kate laughs with people gathered to meet her and William in Norfolk as the royals travel across the country to meet well-wishers
A group of pupils from Norfolk’s Howard Junior School excitedly waved Union Jack flags as they greeted Prince William outside Sandringham today
Kate shakes the hand of a star young pupil from Howard Junior School in King’s Lynn
An elderly woman can’t quite believe her luck as she smiles widely after meeting the Prince and Princess of Wales today
And it’s a moment these royal fans will never forget as Prince William gently greets this young mother’s baby boy
The couple cut expressions of sadness as they paused to reflect on the late Queen Elizabeth II’s legacy after seeing flowers and tributes at Sandringham today
Kate chats with mourners while carrying several bouquets of flowers. Hundreds have piled into the estate in recent days
The Princess of Wales, holding a bouquet of flowers, leads a young lady where she can leave a stuffed toy corgi
Kate holds flowers as she and a royal fan share a smile as she joined her husband to greet members of the public at Sandringham House today
Prince William, Prince of Wales and Catherine, Princess of Wales view floral tributes outside Sandringham Estate following the death of Queen Elizabeth II
Today, the Princess of Wales told a well-wisher she would burst into tears if she read too many sympathy cards
The Prince of Wales told a woman at Sandringham today that yesterday’s procession was “very difficult” and reminded him that he was walking behind his mother Diana’s coffin
The Prince and Princess of Wales delighted those in attendance at Sandringham House as they viewed the gathered tributes and shared their memories of the late Queen Elizabeth II
Royal fans of all ages were treated to an appearance by the Prince and Princess of Wales at Sandringham House
Kate greets an excited royal fan who had come to meet the Prince and Princess of Wales with her family today
Kate and William warmly shook outstretched hands, accepted bouquets of flowers and chatted with those who had waited patiently for hours to meet them
Prince William gently touches Kate’s back as they inspect the sea of flowers left in memory of Queen Elizabeth II
Prince William cuts a forlorn figure as he looks at the bouquets left at the gates of Sandringham House
In Manchester, Sophie, Countess of Wessex, met Josh, a young mourner who had gathered in Manchester with his mother, Sue.
Recounting the moment they met, Sue said: “He just said ‘nice to meet you, do you want me to get your flowers?’ Josh then said “can I have a hug?”. They hugged and then he asked…
