Andrew Parsons / Kensington Palace
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Kate Middleton surprised thrift store workers when she dropped in to show her support on Feb. 3
The Princess of Wales was coming to the end of her day touring west and mid Wales when she made the unannounced detour, much to the workers' delight
The store raises funds for the children's hospice Tŷ Hafan, which Kate supports
Kate Middletondelighted a group of thrift store volunteers when she popped in to see them.
The workers were taken aback when the royal visitor made the detour to see the shop that raises money for one of the charities she supports, as she wound up her day in Wales on Feb. 3.
Work at the store, run for hospiceTŷ Hafan, was drawing to a close when the Princess of Wales, 44, popped in to say hello to those working there.
Princess Kate took time at the shop in Lampeter, mid Wales, talking to the volunteers and even embracing one of the staffers. It was next door to one of her other appointments and when she saw the store, she couldn't resist looking around, she told staffers.
Andrew Parsons / Kensington Palace
Maree Thomas, Regional Sales Manager for Tŷ Hafan, says, "She thanked both the volunteers and staff, chatted while taking photos, and insisted on quickly seeing the haberdashery section despite her team advising she didn't have time. She also signed our customer comments book."
Deputy Store Manager Jenny joked to Kate that she almost hugged her, Maree Thomas says. "Her Royal Highness replied, 'Please do.'" [She] didn't have time to browse or make purchases, but she spent around 10 minutes with us in our shop before heading outside to greet the crowd."
"Although the visit was brief and unplanned, [she] clearly took time out for us and was very engaged and we were thrilled to welcome her and her team. We were all over the moon and on a real high following this special event."
Andrew Parsons / Kensington Palace
The thrift store is one of many that raises funds for the Tŷ Hafan children's hospice, which Kateadopted as one of her causesin Jan. 2025. On that day, Kate spent time with children who are cared for at the hospice, as well as their families. She also took part in a "stay and play" session.
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Tŷ Hafan's Maree Thomas adds that it was clear that Kate "understands the importance of local communities supporting one another and recognizes how vital our shops are in their communities and for hospice families," and values the volunteers and their essential work for the charity sector.
The Princess also spoke about her first visit to the charity last January, saying she "loved her recent visit to the hospice and felt the teams do amazing work and it's a beautiful place," Thomas adds.
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Kate's surprise visit came after a busy day across west Wales. Katestarted the day at a woolen millnear Fishguard, Pembrokeshire, before heading to Hiut Denim in Cardigan. There, she helpedput the finishing touchesto a pair of organic denim jeans for her husband William.
Prince William'slate mother,Princess Diana, was the first patron of the charity, which started as plans for the hospice were unveiled a few years before her1997 death.
Andrew Parsons / Kensington Palace
Chief Executive of Tŷ Hafan, Irfon Rees, thanked Kate for her support in a statement on Feb. 4, "How fantastic that our Patron, the Princess of Wales, popped into our shop in Lampeter yesterday and spent time chatting with staff and volunteers. Without doubt, Her Royal Highness's impromptu visit definitely left everybody overjoyed."
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"I'd like to thank the Princess for everything she is doing for us. It means such a very great deal. And we're looking forward to being able to welcome The Princess to Tŷ Hafan again in the near future."
In December, Kate invitedsome of the charity's staffersto her annual carol service at Westminster Abbey.
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