Essential Waitrose shopping for Kate Middleton

Future princess returns to Thatcham supermarket to browse the shelves

PRINCE William's fiancée, Kate Middleton, has possibly made a start on the catering plans for her big day, as shoppers spotted her browsing the shelves in Waitrose, Thatcham, this afternoon (Thursday).

Staff at the store in the Kingsland Centre would not reveal whether she was selecting party pieces for her springtime wedding, or if she had simply run out of milk, but the princess-to-be certainly caused a flurry of excitement.

The deputy store manager of Waitrose, Will Hook, did not hold Miss Middleton's recent absence from the supermarket, ever since her royal engagement was announced in November, against her.

He said: “She's a regular here.

“This is the first time we have seen her for a while.

“It was quite exciting for the staff.”

Miss Middleton, whose family home is in nearby Upper Bucklebury, was accompanied by an entourage of bodyguards as she briefly visited the store just before lunchtime.