Royals: they’re just like us! Kate Middleton proved herself to be even more relatable recently as it’s been reported the Duchess of Cambridge was spotted shopping at UK discount store The Ridge shortly before Christmas.

According to The Sun, the 36-year-old bought “trolley-loads of pictures, children’s books, and artist materials then queued at the tills.”

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An onlooker in the store opened up to the news outlet about the experience. “I did a double-take when I saw her. You don’t expect to see royals shopping at The Range,” she said.

She noted that it was Prince George, 5, and Princess Charlotte, 3, that caught her attention. “I recognized little Prince George holding Kate’s hand and ­Charlotte with a red bow in her hair,” she added. “Their protection officers were keeping a discreet distance so they looked like any other family out grabbing last-minute Christmas bargains.”

The fan even approached Kate in hopes for a photo with her. “When Kate got to the checkouts I plucked up the 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,” they explained.

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Another fan named Sarah Daniels opened up to Daily Mail about her experience. “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,'” she shared. “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.’

Daniels noted, “We are used to all the pomp and ceremony that goes with the Royal Family but it was great to see Kate shopping with her children in the kind of discount store the rest of us use.”

It seems Kate is gearing up for her weekend at Queen Elizabeth’s Sandringham Estate with her husband, Prince William, their three kids, and other members of the royal family. They all exchange gifts on Christmas Eve,  and believe it or not, they have a preference for gifts that are cheap and funny. So fun!

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