Fashion
The Princess in New Pieces for a Minibus Ride
The Princess of Wales debuted several new pieces for a visit to West Sussex today. 
West Sussex is about 90 minutes south of London, and the Princess was there to learn about and celebrate West Sussex Minibus, a volunteer-led community transport organization. In the photos above and immediately below, you see the Princess with 94-year-old Stella Drewett. We learn details via this Rebecca English story for The Daily Mail.
She waited politely outside before being invited in by Mrs Drewett, who insisted on getting herself outside telling her: ‘I like to do these things myself.’
‘I bet you do!’ the princess said. ‘I’ll follow you.’
The royal then helped her up the steps onto the bus and told her she was coming to the lunch club ‘because I want to see what it’s all about’.
Catherine took a place next to her and joked about always forgetting her handbag. ‘Everyone always runs after me [shouting] ‘you forgot your handbag’.’
Encouraging her to put her seatbelt on, the princess added: ‘I have to remind my children to put their seatbelts on too.’
The Sussex Express reports the bus service “acts as a vital lifeline for people who cannot easily access public transport due to isolation, mobility challenges or financial barriers.” Here is a quick video from Rebecca English of The Daily Mail as the driver and Princess arrived to pick up Ms. Drewett.
The Princess of Wales has surprised elderly travellers in Sussex as she joined a volunteer-run community transport association.
She is in Pulborough with the West Sussex Minibus, a vital lifeline for people who cannot easily access public transport due to isolation, mobility… pic.twitter.com/yZAEFWgL74— Rebecca English (@RE_DailyMail) September 30, 2026
The Princess helped the former school cook onto the minibus, joining others headed to Pulborough Town Hall. 
We learn more from The Telegraph’s story by Hannah Furness.
The Princess put a reassuring hand on Mrs Drewett’s arm as she manoeuvred her walking frame along the garden path and told her: “Well done.” She then stood behind Mrs Drewett as she climbed on board the minibus, putting her hands against her back as a precaution.
When the Princess asked about her trips out for lunch, the 94-year-old quipped that they meant “one day of not cooking”.
We return to The Telegraph piece.
Mrs Drewett was told of her VIP guest shortly beforehand and said: “I couldn’t quite believe it. I am quite a new member.
“It’s a great service. I used to drive myself until I decided to spare the other road users. Everyone said to me: ‘But what are you going to do now?’
“But they take me to the supermarket once a week and we go down to the village hall for the lunch club. It’s a very valuable service. It’s wonderful.”
This year the Minibus Service celebrates fifty years of service. The Sussex Express offers background.
Established in response to the decline of rural public transport, the organisation has grown from a single volunteer-led minibus service into a community transport network operating from eight village hubs, supported by 284 volunteers and a fleet of 11 minibuses. Its fleet travels approximately 60,000 miles each year, providing around 13,000 passenger journeys.
Below, the Princess exits the minibus at Pulborough Town Hall. 
She joined those who arrived on the bus and others for their weekly lunch. 
The weekly lunch is marking its 60th anniversary in the community. 
Below, the Princess and 74-year-old Lynda Jones. We go back to The Daily Mail story and the Princess’s conversation about doing the dishes.
She told her: ‘I love washing up. I really do.’ ‘Oh good, a volunteer,’ joked another guest.
Asked whether her husband helped, Catherine said: ‘He does the drying. We are a good double act. And we get the children involved.’
Examining the food on the table, the princess noted there was a bowl of crisps. ‘I bet you never eat crisps,’ Lynda teased her.
‘I do. I love salted,’ Catherine said, and took one to prove her point, gently nibbling on it as they chatted.
The Barnet Borough Times gives us details on the lunch in this article.
The Princess of Wales made new friends when she sat down with an elderly lunch group and asked them to pass the crisps.
Kate met diners during their Wednesday lunch in a village hall, where regular Lynda Jones handed over the snack after telling Kate the event “makes a lot of difference if you’ve lost your partner”.
We return to the Barnet Borough Times piece.
Chatting at the table, Kate said: “What a lovely way to make friends” as around 50 people in Pulborough village hall enjoyed red pepper and sweet potato soup with hunks of bread, cheese and crisps on the side.
Mrs Jones said: “She asked for some crisps, and I let her (have some). She said she liked it, they were ready salted, crinkle cut.”
“Kate was a natural.”
It looked like these two had a rollicking good time. 
After lunch, the Princess greeted some of the people gathered outside the village hall. 
A Getty Images video of the Princess greeting well-wishers.
Catherine, Princess of Wales, visits the volunteer-lead West Sussex Minibus service in Pulborough, England.#GettyVideo 🎥 Justin Goff 👉 https://t.co/sbu9MpcDpJ pic.twitter.com/PqwvuDxsTs
— Getty Images Entertainment (@GettyVIP) September 30, 2026
Here you see the Princess with one-year-old Albie Botley-Greenslade.
A brief video of the Princess with Albie and his family.
The Princess of Wales meeting families in Pulborough during her visit today. pic.twitter.com/SkyEchBsUZ
— Anna (@tokkianami) September 30, 2026
The Daily Mail offers details.
She also stopped to speak to Thea Botley, 25, with her sons Alfie, one, and Arthur three.
Catherine immediately hunkered down on her heels to say hello and helped Albie jump off the kerb, holding his hands.
‘What’s your name? Hi. Hi Albie. Look at your cool boots. Jump? Well done. One more? Well done.’
‘Sorry I’ve started something,’ she laughed as Albie continued to jump as she walked off.
Thea said afterwards: ‘I’m so surprised he warmed to her and held hands as he can be shy with strangers. She was amazing.’
She even joined a FaceTime call and waved to Amanda Ridley’s mother, who is under the weather. We go back to Rebecca English’s Daily Mail story one last time.
The princess smiled broadly and waved. ‘Hello! What are your names? Oh no, I’m sorry you are not feeling well. Poor you. Have you got someone looking after you?’
She also said hello to her daughter Paloma, five, who was also unwell. ‘Are you missing school today?’ she asked her sympathetically, running her head. ‘I hope you get better soon. Have lots of sleep.’
Ms Ridley told her: ‘Thank you so much.’
She said afterwards: ‘I really admire her and the way she has conducted herself given what she has been through. We are very lucky to have her. ‘
Here is a video via Rebecca English.
Word had spread in the tiny village of Pulborough that the princess was there this morning and a small group of locals stood outside the village hall as she left. The Princess of Wales shook every hand, FaceTimed a poorly mother, helped a toddler to jump and cooed over a dog! pic.twitter.com/nQoMKukFTS
— Rebecca English (@RE_DailyMail) September 30, 2026
In this image, you see the Princess petting a cocker spaniel as she chats with a youngster. 
Now, here’s what Kate wore. 
Some will remember the Jigsaw MaxiCity Wool Coat (currently available in navy and khaki), first noted in September 2025. It is 100% wool with a recycled nylon lining, and design elements include notched wide lapels, flap pockets, and a center back vent.
The Princess debuted a new blouse by Reiss, the British brand’s ‘Kathlyn’ Matte-Silk Tie-Neck Blouse ($400) in grey. As the name suggests, it is 100% silk with a tie-neck, concealed front buttons, and studs at the cuffs instead of buttons. 
The Princess’s trousers are also new to us. Middleton Maven suggests the Bacall Doeskin Wool Trousers in grey melange ($348) by Polo Ralph Lauren. The high-rise style is menswear-inspired, with a wide leg, pleats, side-seam and back pockets, belt loops, cuffs, and a front zipper.
The Princess carried a new Smythson handbag today: the label’s Red Leather Day Cross-Body Bag (£695, currently out of stock) in calfskin leather. It measures roughly 7.5″ x 10″ and comes with both a top handle and a detachable, adjustable shoulder strap. 
Today’s ensemble included a new Victoria Beckham belt: the Portofino Mirror Belt in Dark Burgundy ($390). The belt is done in shiny calf leather with a gold-tone buckle. It is also offered at a discount in limited sizes at Cettire ($272) and from $263 to $350 at Farfetch.
A big thank you to Middleton Maven for quickly identifying the blouse, belt, and trousers today!
We saw the return of the Gianvito Rossi 85 Pumps ($850), first noted at the Windsor Castle tea for Three Peaks Challenge participants. 
The Princess repeated her Kiki McDonough Classic Gold and Diamond Hoops (£1000, about $1325 at today’s exchange rates) with her Annoushka Baroque Pearl Drops ($625) in 18k gold. 
Here is one more photo of the Princess today. 
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