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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Russell Myers & Jennifer Newton

Kate Middleton sips gin and William sneaks off with aptly-named beer at Coronation party

The Prince and Princess of Wales have surprised royal fans in Windsor with an impromptu walkabout on day two of Coronation celebrations - where they sipped gin and took an aptly-named beer.

The couple made an unannounced trip to the Long Walk to chat to those waiting for tonight's star-studded Coronation concert and to also attend a Coronation Big Lunch event - staying for around 30 minutes.

They spent time shaking hands and chatting to revellers, including one group who let them try their home gin from their picnic bag with William sneaking off with one of their 'Return of the King' beers

Kate, wearing a pale blue blazer and white top, picking up a small union flag on a stick which had fallen on the floor and handing it to the well-wisher who dropped it.

Prince William and Kate Middleton join in the festivities with a surprise appearance on the Long Walk (PA)
The beer was called Return of the King (PA)

She was also seen comforting a little girl who appeared overcome with emotion to meet her. Kate gave the teary youngster, who was wearing a headband with union flag deely boppers and navy dress covered in patriotic motifs, a long hug and the girl burst into tears.

Kate asked: "Do you want a hug?" with the emotional youngster responding "Yes please".

Meanwhile, when asked by a little girl where Princess Charlotte was, William replied: “She’s very tired after yesterday. She’s having a quiet day at home. It was making sure her little brother behaved herself.”.

Kate posed for fans (James Veysey/REX/Shutterstock)

He also spoke to the Rock Choir who had just performed on a stage on the Long Walk and joked that Prince Louis has been enjoying listening to Led Zeppelin recently

The royal couple also met members of the Berkshire Theatre School who had performed songs from the musical Matilda earlier in the afternoon.

William told the group: "I can see you're in Matilda T-shirts. Charlotte loves the musical Matilda at the moment. She knows all the songs."

A fan pulls in Kate for a selfie (PA)

Their appearance comes just minutes after it was confirmed Prince William is to take to the stage to deliver a speech during the musical extravaganza in the grounds of Windsor Castle, with Kensington Palace sharing behind-the-scenes footage of the prince during rehearsals.

In the 12-second teaser clip posted to the Prince and Princess of Wales' official Twitter account, a producer's voice can then be heard saying 'ok Prince of Wales, it's time for your rehearsal'.

He then walks out of a lift and on to a stage where there is a microphone waiting for him.

Kate comforts a young girl (Getty Images)

The King, Queen and royal family will join around 20,000 members of the public at the musical extravaganza to see performances by Take That, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie.

Elsewhere today, Prince Edward and Sophie, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh attended a big lunch in Cranleigh, the Princess Royal and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence visited a community street party in Swindon, and Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie joined a big lunch in Windsor.

William and Kate's appearance at the Windsor street party comes just hours after they were joined by their children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis for the Coronation.

Kate high fives wellwishers (MARTIN DIVISEK/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)
William chats to youngster who brought their football (PA)

Kate wore a deep blue Royal Victorian Order mantle edged in scarlet over an Alexander McQueen embroidered ivory silk crepe dress and looked every inch the polished princess.

Charlotte, who exchanged affectionate smiles with her mother during the service, was a mini-me version of Kate, with a similar headpiece by the same milliner and an ivory silk crepe Alexander McQueen dress which featured the same rose, thistle, daffodil and shamrock motifs as her mother's.

Prince Edward and Duchess Sophie at a Coronation Big Lunch in Cranleigh, Surrey (PA)
The royals on the balcony after the Coronation yesterday (Ian Vogler / Daily Mirror)

Louis looked smart wore a very smart outfit made by Dege and Skinner consisting of a Hainsworth Garter Blue Doeskin Tunic with specially designed lacework embellishment to the collar, cuffs and fronts.

While eldest child George was one of his grandfather King Charles' pages - and had the task of helping him carry his robes.

In addition, William also had a starring role in the service as he paid homage to his father in an emotional moment.

Kneeling before the King, he said: "I, William, Prince of Wales, pledge my loyalty to you and faith and truth I will bear unto you, as your liege man of life and limb. So help me God."

Earlier today, Buckingham Palace issued the first public statement on behalf of Charles and Camilla since they were crowned.

A Palace spokesman said the King and Queen were "deeply touched" by the nation’s celebration of their historic coronation.

"Their Majesties were deeply touched by the events of yesterday and profoundly grateful both to all those who helped to make it such a glorious occasion – and to the very many who turned out to show their support in such numbers in London and further afield," he said.

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