15 August 2023 , 13:37
1264
0
As one of the most famous and photographed women in the world, it seems it would be hard for the Princess of Wales to go under the radar.
But she did just that after it has been reported she made a secret visit to her first-ever music festival, where revellers can enjoy raving. It is believed that Kate visited Houghton Festival in Norfolk, which is held on the country estate of two good friends of hers and Prince William.
The event has been taking place annually since 2017 and is billed as Britain's only 24-hour music festival. But how did Kate end up there, what would she have seen and who was she with? Here we take a look...
Impromptu invitation
It appears that Kate attending the Houghton Festival was a very last-minute decision. In fact, she was reportedly at a dinner party with her friends the Marquess and Marchioness of Cholmondeley, David Rocksavage and Rose Hanbury, whose estate the festival was being held on.
Kate is said to have visited a festival at the weekend (AP)
Kate at a roller disco back in 2008 (PA)And it was a fellow guest at the dinner who seemingly twisted Kate's arm into going to the event. A source told the Daily Mail : "After dinner, one of the guests suggested that Catherine go to the festival."
Kate Middleton swears by £19.99 rosehip oil that helps 'reduce wrinkles & scars'
Security detail
However, nipping out to a festival is not as easy for Kate as it would be for normal festival-goers. That's because the princess has to have security everywhere she goes and there would have been thousands of revellers at the event.
According to the Daily Mail, Kate was nervous at first at the prospect of going to join them, but eventually, her protection officers came up with a plan for her to safely attend. The source added: "Catherine was nervous about the idea, but, after much discussion with her protection officers, she went with lots of security."
Festival-going pals
However, one person who didn't join her at the festival was husband Prince William. It's unclear where he was but it has been suggested he could have been on a shooting weekend. As they were effectively the hosts of the festival, it seems as though Kate was with the Marquess and Marchioness of Cholmondeley.
The couple and their family live at Houghton Hall in Norfolk, close to William and Kate's Anmer Hall and they are good friends. In 1990, the Marquess became the Lord Great Chamberlain, in charge of the Palace of Westminster, and served in this role up until Elizabeth II's death last year.
Kate with the Marchioness of Cholmondeley, who is believed to have attended the festival too (PA Archive/PA Images)His wife Rose is a former model and their 13-year-old son Oliver was a page of honour at King Charles' Coronation. Oliver has a twin brother Alexander, who will one day inherit their father's title as he is older and is currently Earl of Rocksavage. They also have a younger sister called Iris. According to the Telegraph, Oliver landed the page role as Alexander will one day inherit the family title.
Raving acts
So who might have Kate seen perform while at the rave festival? Well, the event is run by DJ Craig Richards, who was known for his residency at London nightclub Fabric and who gets 200 artists to perform across 13 stages.
Among them are electronic producer Ricardo Villalobos, contemporary dance DJ Ben UFO and fellow DJ Helena Hauff. The festival always starts on the Friday, lasting until the Sunday, with music played at all times while it is on.