Prince William and Princess Kate headed out to a surprising date night venue – and they left onlookers stunned by their low-key appearance.
When they’re not busy with their official royal duties, the couple enjoy spending time away from the public eye as a family with their three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.
But they managed to head out for a date night in October 2023, and paid a secret visit to the salerooms of auctioneers Dreweatts, located close to their Windsor home, Adelaide Cottage.
According to the Daily Mail, the couple appeared “very, very interested” in some of the items they saw while at the salerooms. They were looking at the extraordinary collection amassed by the late decorator and antique dealer Robert Kime, who was hired by King Charles in 2000 to overhaul Highgrove and Clarence House.
A three-day auction of his collection, which included carpets and vases worth up to £1.5million, started on Wednesday 4 October. A source told the Daily Mail, “Everyone was all of a twitter to see them. It was the beginning of the very big champagne reception that auctioneers always have before a serious date.”
Dreweatt and Kensington Palace declined to comment on William and Kate’s visit but some suspected that a discreet telephone bid – or two – could have been made on their behalf. If the couple did put in an offer for any of the pieces, it is likely they would have been for their friends and family, rather than something for themselves.
