Duchess Catherine

Duchess Catherine

Britain's Duchess Catherine stunned shoppers at an outlet centre when she stopped by for a bargain.

The thrifty royal - who was known as Kate Middleton before her marriage - spent an hour at Bicester Village in Oxfordshire, South East England in the discount stores looking for items for herself, husband Prince William and their 12-month-old son Prince George.

One sales assistant told The Sun newspaper: "Kate came in on Sunday (10.08.14) on her own, just like anyone else, and browsed the sale racks.

"At first I didn't recognise her. I couldn't believe it was Kate.

"She was very friendly. I was star-struck to be honest."

Catherine was seen in the Lacoste store looking for pyjamas for George, which sell at £23.50 in the outlet store, half the price of their full retail value.

She also bought a bath mat.

And after she had finished in Lacoste, the duchess also stopped in the Temperley, Ralph Lauren and Gucci outlet stores.

However, rather than have to carry home her purchases, she arranged to have them couriered to her apartment at London's Kensington Palace.