With Christmas approaching, Kate Middleton joined seasonal shoppers on the streets of London looking for the perfect gift. Prince William's 24-year-old girlfriend was spotted browsing the shops close to her Chelsea flat, perhaps looking for a present fit for a prince.
Looking happy, if a tad tired, the pretty brunette stepped out in dark jeans teamed with a fashionable Starsky And Hutch-style chunky cardigan, similar to the Alexander McQueen number worn by trend-setter David Beckham in Rome.
Kate had obviously learnt from her mistake last week when she was locked out of her flat, and had to call William to come and open the door. These days she's clearly taking no chances, keeping her keys safe on a chunky, heart-shaped key-ring.
Sociable Kate has just returned from South Africa, where she joined 24 chums of Holly and Sam Branson - children of Virgin tycoon Richard - to celebrate Sam's 21st birthday. William was not among the guests, as he was finishing his military training on exercise in Cyprus.
However, the pair may soon be spending a lot more time together. The Queen has reportedly invited Kate to spend Christmas with the Royal Family at Sandringham, in a sign of her growing acceptance by the monarch.