The Duchess of Cambridge, née Kate Middleton, braved the crowds to do some Christmas shopping in London on Friday. The 33-year-old was spotted visiting department store Peter Jones in Chelsea as she prepares for a family Christmas with husband Prince William and their two children Prince George and Princess Charlotte.
Kate donned her Reiss houndstooth coat and knee-high boots for the outing, and was pictured holding a carrier bag and a gingham wipe-clean PVC tablecloth as she left the popular store. The tablecloth will no doubt come in handy on Christmas day as William and Kate are set to play host to her parents Michael and Carole Middleton and siblings James and Pippa for the second year in a row.
Kate was spotted Christmas shopping in Chelsea
It is believed William and Kate will be joining other members of the royal family at church before returning to Anmer Hall to host an intimate gathering, instead of attending the Queen's traditional Christmas celebrations at Sandringham.
William recently opened up about the family's festive plans in an interview with The Big Issue, explaining that Prince George is so excited about Christmas this year he will be "bouncing around like a rabbit" ahead of the celebrations.
"George will be bouncing around like a rabbit," the Prince said. "If I get any sleep on Christmas Eve, it'll be good."
William and Kate are set to celebrate at home with Prince George and Princess Charlotte
Predicting that their first Christmas with two young children could be "quite challenging", William said he was "looking forward to it" nonetheless.
"We'll watch George try to tackle his presents as he tries to unwrap them. It's a very different experience at Christmas, having a family of your own," William explained. "It'd be nice if we got a white Christmas because we haven't had one in many years."
The family have already been treated to several early Christmas gifts in the run up to the festivities, including a set of personalised dolls for Kate and Charlotte, which were presented to Prince William during his visit to Birmingham earlier in the month.