'I can't wait to have all my children home': Kate admits she's missing Prince George and is looking forward to his return from Eton during his half term break

The Princess of Wales admitted she was missing her eldest son, Prince George - and is looking forward to all three of her children coming home for half term tomorrow, on a surprise engagement today.

Chatting to shocked shoppers inside a joint charity shop and cafe in a small village in Norfolk, Kate, 44, was asked how her children were getting on.

Denise Ashton, 68, who was sitting with two friends when the princess came over for a chat, said: 'She said she's looking forward to George coming home - she's missed him.' She added: 'They may be going somewhere (during the break).'

The young prince started boarding at Eton College last month and will return home for his first 'long leave' on Friday. Younger siblings, Princess Charlotte, 11, and Prince Louis, eight, also break up from Lambrook School tomorrow.

While chatting to locals who had gathered outside the shop after word quickly spread of the royal visit, the princess asked children if they were on half term.

One youngster told her that it’s his last day today, and she replied: 'My children break up tomorrow and I can’t wait to have them all home.'

The princess’ visit to Café 98 in Hoveton, East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices' first and only café located within one of the charity’s retail stores, was kept under wraps due to the café's small size.

Earlier in the day, Kate stepped out at Treehouse in Ipswich, where she heaped praise on the 'inspirational' children's hospice, hugged and chatted to children with life-limiting conditions and took part in sensory sessions.

Kate happily accepted hugs during today's heartfelt visit to a children's hospice in Suffolk 

Kate also admitted she was missing her son, Prince George, during a surprise visit to a Norfolk charity shop 

The princess returned to the hospice after making her first speech as a royal there in 2012, when she inaugurated the charity space as patron of East Anglia's Children's Hospices (EACH) while her husband was deployed in the Falklands as an RAF search-and-rescue pilot

Today, Kate spoke with young people receiving care at the Treehouse after touring construction work that's part of an ambitious multi-million-pound expansion project to meet a 'growing demand'.

She was dressed in Victoria Beckham as well as protective gear, including a hard hat and high-vis gilet as she was shown around the building site.

Her outfit included Posh Spice's £850 Katherine jacket, matching trousers worth £475 and a black lambswool polo neck that retails for £520. She finished the look with a £290 burgundy belt with a gold buckle.

She later popped into Café 98 in Hoveton, East Anglia's Children's Hospices' first and only café located within one of the charity's retail stores. 

While her visit was initially kept under wraps due to the cafe's small size, word quickly spread, and locals gathered outside to meet Kate. 

While chatting to them, the princess asked children if they were on half term.

One youngster told her that it's his last day today, and she replied: 'My children break up tomorrow and I can't wait to have them all home.'

And when she walked in, customers enjoying a cup of tea and browsing the rails couldn't believe the future Queen had stopped by.

As she headed over to the counter to greet catering Manager Morgan Neary, a group of ladies called her over, asking: 'Do you want to see our shopping?'

The Princess of Wales waved to well-wishers after visiting Cafe 98, the East Anglia's Children's Hospices (EACH) cafe, located within their Hoveton retail store in Norfolk

While her visit was initially kept under wraps due to the cafe's small size, word quickly spread, and locals gathered outside to meet Kate

The Princess of Wales was shown how to value donated clothes before they go on sale

Kate in conversation with Cafe 98's shop manager Fran  

Kate was all smiles as she left the charity shop following a day of royal engagements 

'Oh yes please,' Kate said, darting over to them. 'Do you come in here quite a bit?'

Essie Landsborough, 75, who sat opposite Ms Ashton, said 'yes' as she rifled through her carrier bag and pulled out a box of two port sippers.

Looking at the boxes, Prince William's wife said: 'You never know what you're going to find [in a charity shop]. That's what's so nice. It feels a bit more like a treasure hunt.'

Interrupting with a tone of surprise, Ms Landsborough said: 'Do you go to charity shops?'

'Yes, I do,' the princess said. 'I love going round a charity shop. When I was at university in St Andrew's, there were a lot of charity shops.'

Catherine heard more about how the cafe operates when she sat down with Ian Nicholson, EACH’s Director of Retail, and Ms Neary, who started as a volunteer before becoming a paid member of the team, in the cafe.

With an oat milk cappuccino and a plate of sweet treats, including carrot cake, biscoff millionaire’s shortbread and a bakewell blondie, in front of her, the princess asked questions about the number of volunteers, where they get their donations from and how many shops they have.

Told that EACH now has 58 charity shops across Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire and Essex, Catherine said: 'That’s amazing.'

The princess was then introduced to Christine Rich, who showed her how items were prepared for sale before they sorted items together

She then toured the shop before heading upstairs to the sorting area where she was told they get 100s of high-quality donations from locals every day.

Store manager Lisa Naftarski told her that charity shops are becoming increasingly popular due to the cost-of-living crisis.

'So many things go to waste so things should get another life,' the royal said. “The money raised goes to a good cause as well.' 

The princess was then introduced to Christine Rich, who showed her how items were prepared for sale before they sorted items together, deciding which ones could be sold and which poorer-quality items would be sold as scrap fabric.

Catherine held several of the items up against her as she was sorting through them, and when Ms Rich noticed the label was still on a pink chiffon blouse, she exclaimed: 'Who would pay £105 for a blouse?' Before realising she was in the company of a princess, she quickly moved onto the next item.

When Catherine spotted a moth hole in an otherwise immaculate coat, she asked if it could still be sold in the shop.

She was told they had an imperfect rail, and Mr Nicholson interjected: 'We’ll double the money now, as you touched it!'

Having spent almost 10 minutes going through the pile of clothing, Catherine told the volunteer: 'Thank you for my lesson.'

Ms Rich said: 'I can’t wait to tell my granddaughter about this!'

Asked how old she was, Catherine was told she was eight and that next week she’d be spending time with her, as it’s half term.

'That’s lovely, my parents will spend time with my children during half term. It’s a nice time for them to catch up.'

Speaking afterwards, Ms Rich said it was 'awesome' to meet the princess, adding: 'I would give her a job, I thought she was marvellous.' 

The Princess then toured the rest of the vast sorting space, remarking that 'volunteers are the backbone of community life', and was told that they have several  young volunteers taking part in the Duke of Edinburgh Award.

During the 50 minutes that she spent visiting the cafe, over 100 locals had gathered outside the shop to see her, and they cheered as she left the shop.

The princess then walked over to greet the well-wishers, talking about the sudden drop in temperature after the unseasonably warm start to the month and the upcoming half-term break with her children.

Opened in 2024, Café 68 is an important part of EACH's fundraising operation whilst also serving as a valued community hub for residents.

Alongside generating income to support the charity's care for children and young people with life-threatening conditions and their families, the space provides a welcoming venue for a range of community groups and activities.

More than 40 volunteers support the café and shop, helping raise essential funds for EACH's services across East Anglia.

The shop raises between £ 3,500 and £ 4,000 a week in retail revenue, and an additional £3,000 from the café.

Kate kicked off today's engagements at the Treehouse in Ipswich, where she gave her first public speech after marrying Prince William while inaugurating the facility 14 years ago. 

Dressed in a hard hat and high-vis gilet, she toured construction work that's part of a £6.3million expansion project to meet a 'growing demand' for its services. 

She also heard about the transformative impact of the care, compassion and connection the hospice provides from the families of children with life-limiting conditions.

Among them is 12-year-old Charlotte Freegard, who has been receiving care from EACH since 2021. 

The spirited youngster has a rare muscle disorder called nemaline myopathy, which causes muscle weakness throughout the body but is most severe in the face, neck and limbs. 

Kate told shoppers at a charity store she was looking forward to having Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis back home for half-term 

The princess greeted royal fans during an impromptu walkabout 

Charlotte played the piano for Kate during a music therapy session at the hospice, before the Princess was shown around the purple-tinged light sensory room on the premises. 

EACH chief executive Kevin Clements previously said the expansion is 'one of the most important building projects' in Suffolk right now, adding: 'It's about so much more than bricks and mortar.

'It's about making sure every family who needs us feels seen, supported and can access our care – wherever they live and whatever their background.'

Kate planted a tree during her first visit to the hospice in 2012, when she said: 'Today I have seen again that the Treehouse is all about family and fun. For many, this is a home from home – a lifeline enabling families to live as normally as possible during a very precious period of time.

'What you do is inspirational. It is a shining example of the support and the care that is delivered, not just here, but in the children's hospice movement at large up and down the country. 

'The feelings you inspire – feelings of love and of hope – offer a chance to families to live a life they never thought could be possible.'

The Princess of Wales with Lord-Lieutenant of Suffolk Mark Pendlington

The Princess of Wales styled her tresses in loose waves during the visit

Kate got stuck in as she participated in different sensory sessions offered at the hospice for children with life-limiting conditions 

Kate speaking with family members inside a light sensory room

Kate inside the hospice's sensory room 

Kate with to 12-year-old Charlotte, who has been receiving care from EACH since 2021

Kate inaugurated the hospice in 2012 and made her first speech as a royal at the event 

Kate was greeted by EACH chief executive Kevin Clements after she arrived at the Ipswich hospice this morning 

Kate speaking with Mr Clements during today's engagement 

Kate looked elegant in a Victoria Beckham suit that she paired with a grey turtleneck and a brown belt from the brand 

The Princess of Wales viewed construction work at the Treehouse children's hospice during a visit to learn about the care and support provided by EACH

The Princess of Wales donned a hard hat and high-vis gilet as she toured the hospice's expansion site

The Treehouse currently has five children's bedrooms and accommodation for families to use for overnight stays.

The hospice provides a range of therapeutic services – from a sensory garden and music studio to a hydrotherapy pool – to ensure the best quality of life for the babies, children and young people receiving care at The Treehouse. 

The expansion plans include a new hydrotherapy pool, wellbeing and therapies suite, a larger care activity area, an additional children's bedroom and expanded kitchen and dining facilities. 

We've found Kate's Victoria Beckham outfit at M&S - and it's on sale 

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The four-figure price tag of princess's outfit might make your eyes water but thanks to M&S, royal fans can copy Kate's look for less than £250.

See where we found all the high street lookalikes for Kate's aptly autumnal outfit. 

Mr Clements previously said 'more space is desperately needed' at The Treehouse so that it can continue to provide world-class care to the children and families that rely on the facility. 

'This project will enable us to provide more space for group activities, wellbeing activities, bereavement support,' the EACH chief executive told the BBC. 

'It provides more privacy for families when we are managing end-of-life care for babies, children and young people.'

Construction work is expected to be completed by early 2028 after planning permission was granted last November. 

The charity has confirmed £4million of the funding has already been secured and that it has until October 2027 to raise the balance.  

It was announced that Kate would become patron of The Treehouse in January 2012 after researching a selection of charities. 

Her mother-in-law, Princess Diana, opened EACH's first hospice in Milton, Cambridgeshire, in 1989.

Kate's engagement in Ipswich comes days after she joined the King, Queen and Prince William at a glittering state banquet for the Sultan of Oman – on the same day that Prince Harry insisted he wanted to reconcile with his family. 

Kate met the family members of children with life-limiting diseases that receive care at the hospice 

EACH chief executive Mr Clements giving Kate an update about the ambitious £6.3million expansion project currently underway

EACH chief executive Kevin Clements (left) previously said the expansion is 'one of the most important building projects' in Suffolk right now

The monarch was accompanied by William and Kate, Queen Camilla, the Princess Royal and her husband Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, as well as the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester as they hosted Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al Said and his retinue in St George's Hall at Windsor Castle.

Kate wore an ethereal pale yellow Elie Saab gown with a cape detail and train, which she paired with her favourite Lover's Knot tiara, diamond earrings and a bracelet belonging to the late Queen Elizabeth. 

William was dressed for the occasion in a white tie with the Windsor tail coat, his Most Noble Order of the Garter Sash with the Lesser George and other medals and decorations.

On the same day, Prince Harry insisted he wants to reconcile with his family after denying he was taking a 'swipe' at his brother when he said: 'Some people don't want to work it out.' 

The Duke of Sussex, who has not spoken to William for four years, admitted in an interview with GQ that he is grieving his 'complicated relationships' with the King and the Prince of Wales.

It comes after Kate urged that 'spending quality time outdoors has never been more important' in a poignant message to parents.

Kate spoke from the heart about her lifelong initiative to better the lives of young children – urging parents to get youngsters to put down their phones and enjoy the great outdoors.

'Nature is such an extraordinary environment for us all and, in this tech-driven, digital age, spending quality time outdoors has never been more important,' the future queen said in a video shared to the couple's official Instagram.

Kensington Palace also released a new series of portraits of Kate in the countryside taken by Josh Shinner.

The princess looked radiant in her favourite wax jacket, under which she wore a patterned jumper and pie-frill blouse. Her hair was styled in loose waves.

The video was filmed yesterday in Cornwall with the support of the Prince of Wales. Given that he runs The Duchy of Cornwall, Prince William is said to be taking a keen interest in the project.