17 August 2023 , 18:19
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Princess Kate was spotted at a 24-hour "rave" in Norfolk last weekend - although the event looked much more relaxed than you might expect.
It is believed the photo was taken at Houghton Festival which is held on land belonging to the Marquess and Marchioness of Cholmondeley, friends of Kate and William. Kate was seen enjoying a drink - what appears to be a cocktail in a small tumbler glass - while deep in conversation with two other festival goers seemingly in good spirits.
She donned a pair of Veja shoes, with hair down and gold earrings for some festival shine. Kate, 41, also wore a long-sleeved black top with black jeans and a bardot necklace. Houghton marked what's believed to be the Princess’s first ever festival . She was apparently convinced to join by friends Rose Hanbury and David Rocksavage, whose estate set the scene for the event. She had been dining at Houghton Hall with the Marquess and Marchioness when she was convinced to attend.
The Princess of Wales was spotted deep in conversation with other festival attendeesA source told Mail Online: “After dinner, one of the guests suggested that Catherine go to the festival. Catherine was nervous about the idea, but, after much discussion with her protection officers, she went with lots of security. William wasn't there. ” It’s not the first time Kate has been spotted keen for a boogie - she was pictured at a roller-disco with friends in 2008, including jockey Sam Waley-Cohen. But it might be her first visit to this type of event - Houghton Festival is billed as Britain’s only 24-hour music festival.
It was set up by DJ Craig Richards in 2017, and hosted over 200 artists across 13 stages from Thursday 10 August to Sunday 14 August. It is thought around 12,000 partygoers attended the four-day rave. The Evening Standard reported that Kate offered a £700 tip to hospitality staff for a meal she ate on the visit. Kate declined the popular food trucks, instead going to the Turntable and Napkin restaurant on-site.
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They reported: “‘[Catherine] was in high spirits, ordering spicy margaritas, eating affogato [an Italian coffee-based dessert], and speaking affably with the other members of her party,’ the newspaper reported. Her companions apparently carted in a huge, balthazar-sized bottle of AIX rosé and, together with Kate, left the festival restaurant staff a £700 tip.” Kensington Palace declined to comment on Kate’s visit, so it remains unknown where William was at the time - although it is thought he may have been on a grouse-shooting trip for the Glorious Twelfth on Saturday.
After the Queen’s death, the Marquess - David Rocksavage - was replaced as Lord Great Chamberlain. But King Charles has been keen to keep them close to the Royal Family, and in March handed him a new position - his Lord-in-Waiting - which will keep them as part of the Royal court. Rose and Rocksavage married in 2009, despite the Marquess being 23 years her senior. They have three children together: Alexander, Oliver and Iris.