A new era begins forPrince WilliamandKate Middleton.
Prince Williamand Princess Kate spent about 45 minutes speaking with mourners gathered outside the Norwich Gates of Sandringham House.
Bex Neeve, 44, from the county of Norfolk, waited over two hours to see the couple and shared a few words with them.
“William said he thinks Monday will be hard,” Neeve tells PEOPLE. “Kate said it’s been overwhelming and she and William are very grateful for everyone being here. She was emotional. They seemed like they were here to soak up all the love.”
For more on the Royals, listen below to our daily podcast PEOPLE Every Day.
Her mother Sharon Clouting, 64, adds, “You can tell William is his mother’s son. He was chatting so easily and very sincere.”
Prince William and Kate Middleton.Chris Jackson/Getty Images
Prince William and Kate Middleton.Samir Hussein/WireImage
She added that William also said “he thinks Paddington Bear has taken over from the corgis as being part of the royal family,” following the Queen’s comedy sketch with the beloved bear during the Platinum Jubilee celebrations in June.
“I can’t believe how together they are — they seem to be supporting us rather than us supporting them,” Tomlinson adds.
Kate, who wore a Catherine Walker ensemble in a nod to Princess Diana, also gave an update on how their three children —Prince George, 9,Princess Charlotte, 7, andPrince Louis, 4 — were coping.
Lydia Bailey tells PEOPLE, “Kate said the children have settled in nicely with their new school and have new friends.”
“She doesn’t have to be monarch there,” they explained. “She can be Elizabeth rather than the Queen.”
Can’t get enough ofPEOPLE’s Royals coverage?Sign up for our free Royals newsletterto get the latest updates onKate Middleton,Meghan Markleand more!
Two days later, Prince William spoke to Wales' top politician, First Minister Mark Drakeford, mentioning the “deep affection” he and his wife share for Wales, where they lived as newlyweds from 2011 to 2013. They recently visited the capital city of Cardiff during the Queen’sPlatinum Jubileecelebrations with their two eldest children,Prince George, 9, andPrincess Charlotte, 7.
A royal source tells PEOPLE that William and Kate are focused on “deepening the trust and respect of the people of Wales over time.”
“The Prince and Princess of Wales will approach their roles in the modest and humble way they’ve approached their work previously,” the source says.
As Kate becomes known as the Princess of Wales, which William’s mother, the latePrincess Diana, once held, a royal source tells PEOPLE, “the new Princess of Wales appreciates the history associated with this role but will understandably want to look to the future as she creates her own path.”
source: people.com
