Huge lengths royal fans go to to keep Kate Middleton and Prince William's date nights secret

The Prince and Princess of Wales are able to enjoy low-key date nights without a fuss when they visit their Norfolk home, Anmer Hall - and it's all thanks to their kind-hearted neighbours

Prince William and Princess Kate are able to enjoy low-key date nights together near their Norfolk home, thanks to the support of the local community, it has been revealed.

The royal couple are two of the most famous people in the world, and attract huge crowds at official events. But when they're off-duty, they like to enjoy private time away from the spotlight - and that includes dinner out.

William and Kate were gifted Anmer Hall as a wedding present by the Queen - and it has become their favourite home, thanks to the privacy afforded to them as a family when they stay.

"The locals are incredibly protective of them, you don't often see people get out their camera phones and record them. They are left to just get on with a family occasion," royal expert Katie Nicholl previously told OK!.

"If you speak to anyone from North Norfolk, they're incredibly proud that William and Kate are continuing a love affair with Norfolk that goes back generations. Kate and William tend to go to the same places and these are places where they are known and have a good relationship with the landlord or landlady."

She added, "They've been going to these places for a long time, so it's not unusual and it's not difficult for them to go and relax. Norfolk is one of the few places they can just enjoy ordinary, everyday experiences as a family. William and Kate often go out on date nights and you don't hear about it."

The Waleses have found a great way to make the most of Norfolk's beautiful beaches without drawing too much attention to themselves.

One local told HELLO!: "They've been spotted on a yacht just off Holkham Beach, it's the perfect way for them to be able to enjoy the beach but be away from the crowds. Holkham is amazing - it's the beach from Shakespeare in Love - huge white sand with sand dunes, and although it's very popular it never feels busy, as it's so big.

"But even still, it would be hard for the royal family to come down and enjoy it during peak summer season. Being on a boat gives them privacy and security but they still get to enjoy their local beach."

The family have been seen on plenty of occasions too, from local pubs to the Sainsbury's in King's Lynn.

During the February half-term in 2020, Kate took Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis to do some pottery painting at Mable's Paint Pot in Burnham Market. And it seems the ceramics store and traditional sweet shop is a favourite of the royals.

A source said: "Kate is a regular at Mable's Paint Pot, she always pops in with the children and nobody pays any attention. That's why she likes it so much here, they consider Norfolk their real home and it's because everybody treats them totally normally here and lets them get on with their lives."