Kate Middleton gave her latest royal outing a heartwarming twist by helping pick up elderly passengers for their weekly lunch club. The Princess of Wales joined the West Sussex Minibus service in Pulborough on September 30 to celebrate its 50th anniversary.
Kate Middleton’s gesture toward the elderly during minibus outing grabs attention
Kate Middleton’s recent minibus outing began with a particularly touching stop at the home of 94-year-old Stella Drewett. The retired school cook regularly uses the service for her weekly shopping trip and Wednesday lunch. Kate walked to Drewett’s front door and greeted her with a warm, “Good morning,” per Express UK.
She then helped her manoeuvre her walking frame along the garden path and onto the minibus. The princess also stood behind Drewett as she boarded, offering support along the way.
Drewett, however, was not particularly starstruck by the royal visit. Before Kate arrived, she joked that when she heard a celebrity would pick her up, she thought, “I don’t know any celebrities.”
The pair then travelled to Pulborough Village Hall, collecting several other elderly passengers along the way. The weekly gathering saw the residents enjoy lunch, chat with friends and take part in activities.
At the hall, Kate joined the group and spoke with attendees about the importance of companionship and community connections. Around 50 residents attended the lunch, where the princess enjoyed soup, bread, cheese and crisps with the group.
The lunch club visit also allowed Kate Middleton to hear how the service helps residents stay connected. Kate spoke with volunteers and drivers about their work and the role community transport plays in rural areas.
During one conversation, the Princess of Wales joked about household chores. Kate revealed that she and Prince William are “a good double act” because she does the washing up while he handles the drying. Their three children also reportedly get involved with chores.
Meanwhile, the West Sussex Minibus service continues to rely on volunteers. The organization now operates 11 minibuses across eight village hubs, supported by 284 volunteers. It provides around 13,000 passenger journeys each year.
