Prince William and Kate meet wellwishers outside Sandringham

Prince William and Kate Middleton met wellwishers at Sandringham, the late Queen’s royal estate in Norfolk, on Thursday.

KING'S LYNN, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 15: Prince William, Prince of Wales and Catherine, Princess of Wales view floral tributes at Sandringham on September 15, 2022 in King's Lynn, England. The Prince and Princess of Wales are visiting Sandringham to view tributes to Queen Elizabeth II, who died at Balmoral Castle on September 8, 2022. (Photo by Samir Hussein/WireImage)

Prince William and Kate Middleton met wellwishers at Sandringham, the late Queen’s royal estate in Norfolk, on Thursday.

The royal couple were seen taking time to read some of the thousands of notes left with flowers outside the gates of the home, where Prince Philip spent much of the final four years of his life.

The new Prince and Princess of Wales took time to shake hands with dozens of the members of the public, who gathered to send their best wishes to the Royal Family.

Some were seen handing Kate bouquets of flowers.

One woman in the crowd, Fran Morgan, 62, said Kate made a heartbreaking admission as she spoke to her,

“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 would cry’’.’

Prince William, Prince of Wales and Catherine, Princess of Wales, view floral tributes at Sandringham. (Photo by Samir Hussein/WireImage)

Catherine, Princess of Wales, views floral tributes at Sandringham. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

Prince William speaks to members of the public at Sandringham. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

In one poignant moment, Kate shook the hand of an elderly lady who, overcome with the moment, would not then let go. Kate patiently chatted before moving along a fenceline to speak with other well wishers.

The royal couple looked composed and more relaxed than they have all week, smiling broadly and taking their time to chat with the huge crowd of several hundred who have come out to see them.

At one stage Kate was overwhelmed by the amount of flowers she was being handed before an aide rushed in to relieve her of the bunches. Police estimated the number of people who turned up to the gates was at least 1000.

As Prince of Wales, William will now run the Sandringham Estate.

Meanwhile, Prince Edward and Sophie, Countess of Wessex, met viewed floral tribures at St Ann’s Square in Manchester. They will also sign a book of condolence and light a candle for the Queen.

Princess Anne and her husband Sir Timothy Laurence are visiting Glasgow.

Floral tributes are pictured outside Norwich Gate on the Sandringham Estate. (Photo by TOBY MELVILLE / POOL / AFP)

Catherine, Princess of Wales, views floral tributes at Sandringham. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, and Sophie, Countess of Wessex view floral tributes for the late Queen Elizabeth II during a visit to Manchester. (Photo by Cameron Smith/Getty Images)

Meanwhile, King Charles is having a day of rest at Highgrove, his home in Gloucestershire, after a gruelling week of engagements since his mother’s death last Thursday.

Kate and William looked emotional at a service at Westminster Hall for the Queen on Wednesday, where they were joined by Meghan and Harry.

The Duke of Sussex was seen wiping a tear from his eye as his grandmother, the Queen, was carried in by pallbearers.

She will spend four days lying in state, ahead of her funeral on Monday.

Between then and now, as many as million people are expected to solemnly file past her coffin to pay their respects.

Originally published as Prince William and Kate meet wellwishers outside Sandringham