For their first wedding anniversary, they could have had their pick of palaces or grand country retreats.
But the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge opted instead for the modesty of a Suffolk pub... albeit one called the Crown Inn.
They turned up at the pub in the early hours after attending the wedding of Kate's school friend, Hannah Gillingham.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge attend the wedding of close friends Hannah Gillingham and Robert Carter
Anniversary treat: William and Kate checked in to a local pub for the night after attending a friend's wedding in Suffolk last weekend
Guests of honour: Despite it being their first anniversary the Royal couple attended the marriage of one of Kate's school friends near Saxmundham - and rounded off their trip with a night at the Crown Inn
They had a glass of champagne with other wedding guests in the bar before heading to their £165-a-night room.
William and Kate stayed in the Swan Room which, according to the pub's website, has a supersize four-poster bed with Egyptian cotton sheets and an en suite bathroom featuring a 'stylish roll-top bath big enough for two'.
The next day the couple emerged mid-morning for a leisurely full English breakfast in the pub's garden room restaurant, which is decorated with photos of the north Suffolk coast.
They left at around midday and are understood to have returned to their remote farmhouse in Wales for a romantic dinner together.
All 34 rooms at the 12th century pub in Westleton, near Southwold, had been booked for guests at Miss Gillingham's wedding to Robert Carter, which took place 20 miles away in Wingfield.
Kate's younger sister Pippa stayed alone in one of the pub's mid-range priced rooms, which cost £145.
Country retreat: Kate and William spent their first wedding anniversary night at the three-star Crown Inn in Westleton, near Saxmundham, Suffolk
Cosy: A lounge at the Crown Inn in Westleton where William and Kate relaxed after attending a friend's wedding
Room with a view: William and Kate stayed in the Swan Room at the hotel which comes with four poster bed and stylish roll top bath big enough for two
Staff said the royals asked 'to be treated like everyone else' when they arrived in a group of around 40 at 1am on Sunday.
General manager Gareth Clarke said: 'We were made aware that some special guests were arriving but we didn't know just how special.
'It was a lovely family occasion with a relaxed atmosphere and they both seemed really happy to be in a comfortable environment with friends.'
Shocked staff: General manager of the hotel Gareth Clarke said: 'We were made aware that some special guests were arriving but we didn't know just how special.'
Warmth: The aptly named Crown Inn features an open fire in its dining room
William and Kate turned up at another pub, the De La Pole Arms, the day before, opposite the church where their friend's wedding took place.
Its owners, Helen Radbourne, 37, and her husband Nick, 34, said the Duke and Duchess displayed 'no airs and graces'.
'They brought their dog Lupo with them in the car and he was running around on the terrace playing with our five-year-old daughter Grace,' Mrs Radbourne added.
Royal wedding: Kate's sister Pippa Middleton (left) also attended the wedding of Hannah Gillingham and Robert Carter (right)
'They were very relaxed and friendly. Kate went up to her and had a little chat and William said hello to my husband and made a joke about it being “a nice day for it” because it was pouring down.
'Grace thought it was amazing. She's been a very popular girl at school this week after her brush with royalty.'
Catering for the reception was provided by another pub, The Fox and Goose in the neighbouring village of Fressingfield.
Paul Yaxley, 35, who owns and runs the pub, said: 'They were there as very low-profile guests. We have done quite a bit of outside catering and we have done a few quite high-profile events but we didn't find out until the day that William and Kate were going to be there. It's a huge honour to be able to say I have cooked for the future King.
'I was really pleased with the staff we had with us on the night. They were very professional – even if they did have to have a little scream when they got in the car at the end!'
Kate is reported to have been planning a home-cooked meal of fish en papillote – in parchment – for her and husband's 'paper' anniversary on Sunday evening.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2138936/Kate-Middleton-Prince-William-spent-anniversary-night-Westleton-Crown-Inn.html#ixzz1tuT2U6jy
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