As their lawyers were in a French court trying to stop the publication of topless photos from their holiday, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were enjoying a romantic getaway in one of the most idyllic spots on earth.
Their hosts on the South Pacific resort isle of Tavanipupu said William and Kate had a private meal on the deck of a £785-a- night thatched bungalow.
Putting their legal wrangle behind them, the couple also went snorkelling under the stars in the middle of a downpour.
The royals were carried from their aircraft on thrones by young men wearing garlands of flowers after landing in Funafuti.
The idyllic break came before a majestic reception ceremony on Tuesday in Tuvalu, another tiny cluster of islands, where the Queen is head of state.
But the intimate evening away from even their bodyguards on Monday, would still have been fresh in their minds. Pamela Kimberly, a co-owner of the Tavanipupu resort, said: "I was astounded at how down to Earth and lovely they were. They just seemed to love it. They were happy and relaxed.
"When they arrived, we gave them a pina colada each made from rum, fresh pineapple juice and coconut cream. William liked it so much, we gave him another one. He had two, she had one.
"They got straight into the snorkelling and saw lots of beautiful fish. They were just swimming and enjoying the island. They had dinner on their own private jetty. This morning they walked out on the big deck.
"At least the weather was glorious for them this morning. Last night it poured down for hours. But that did not stop William and Kate wanting to eat outdoors beneath a bamboo gazebo at the end of their jetty.
"They had some shelter but that's not completely waterproof, but they just wanted to be outside. "They couldn't have been more complimentary about the island. They said they would definitely tell their friends about it. And that meant a lot to us."
