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Both William and Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge, visited businesses near the Queen’s Sandringham Estate in their first in person engagements since the shutdown started. While William made a visit to Smiths The Bakers, situated near King’s Lynn town hall, his wife Kate went to the nearby Fakenham garden centre on Thursday.

Both local businesses had recently reopened after the Covid-19 lockdown was eased.

During his visit to Smiths The Bakers William purchased pain au chocolate, an originally French savoury pastry, for his family.

Speaking to the owner, Paul Brandon, he revealed his family had done a lot of baking since the lockdown began.

According to Mr Brandon, talking to the Belfast Telegraph, William said: “Well I’ve done a little bit of baking.

“The children have been attacking the kitchen and it’s just been an explosion of flour and chocolate everywhere.

“Catherine’s been doing quite a bit of baking.”

William and Kate have been staying at Amber Hall, their country home in Norfolk, since the lockdown began.

The property was given to the Cambridges by the Queen in 2013 as a late wedding gift.

William and Kate, along with their children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, spend a lot of time in the property when they’re not living in their main residence in Kensington Palace.

During the bakery visit William was also given with a cake to help celebrate his upcoming birthday.

The prince turns 38 on Sunday, which is likely to be a double celebration as it coincides with Father’s Day.

On their official Instagram page William and Kate posted photos of them visiting the two businesses.

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It was accompanied with a caption reading: “As non-essential shops start reopening in parts of the UK, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visited two independent businesses to hear how they have been impacted by coronavirus, and how they are returning to a new normal.

“The Duke of Cambridge visited Smiths the Bakers, who have been serving Kings Lynn for 50 years.

“With the owners of the bakery and members of staff, The Duke spoke about how coronavirus restrictions have impacted on the family-run business, with 80% of the company’s wholesale customers having to close their own operations.

“The Duchess of Cambridge visited Fakenham Garden Centre, where she met the centre’s owners, before speaking to staff members, and heard more about the measures which that the garden centre has implemented to ensure that customers are able to visit and shop safely.”

Currently the Queen is self-isolating at Windsor Castle to keep safe from the coronavirus.

Last weekend she watched a socially distanced trooping the colour performed within the castle, rather than Horse Guard’s Parade as usual.

During her visit to Fakenham garden centre Kate told the owners, Jennie and Martin Turner, her children used to enjoy visits to garden centres.

She said: “They love it!”

“It’s such a great space for children and families to come to garden centres.

“I’ve been food shopping, but I have to say I haven’t been out a huge amount more – but it’s good and so important now as things start to ease, people know they can go out and particularly to places like this.”

Prince Charles caught coronavirus back in March, but has since recovered, and is currently staying in Scotland.

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