Prince William was left in disbelief after the Princess of Wales spotted a MasterChef contestant during an impromptu visit to Borough Market on Thursday afternoon.
Catherine, 44, immediately spotted Kim Innes, founder of the popular dessert business Humble Crumble, having watched her compete on the latest series of MasterChef: The Professionals.
Video footage captured the princess enquiring whether Ms Innes had appeared “on Master Chef last night,” prompting an excited response from the chef.
“Do you watch it?” Ms Innes asked, while Prince William was heard exclaiming: “No way!”
Prince William left in disbelief as Princess of Wales recognises MasterChef contestant
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Catherine remarked that Ms Innes “looked very familiar” before praising her performance in the previous evening’s episode and offering words of encouragement.
The dessert entrepreneur, who launched Humble Crumble in 2018 from a farmers’ market stall, has built a substantial social media following around her signature crumble and custard concept.
The royal couple were soon put to work, donning aprons to help serve customers inside the market building.
Prince William took responsibility for ladling fruit and crumble into pots, whilst Catherine handled the finishing touches, including pouring custard, piping pink marshmallow fluff, and adding toppings.
Prince William and the Princess of Wales pictured at Borough Market
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Gabriel Unger, the company’s chief executive, placed the first order and declared the “taste test: very good,” joking that the pair would “pass their trial shift” and could have jobs if they wished.
Ms Innes was particularly impressed with the princess’s technique, stating her piping skills were “fantastic” and adding: “She could teach the team, she’s a natural.”
The chef also commended William, noting he “did a good job of the correct ratio of fruit to crumble.”
Prior to their Borough Market appearance, the couple had embarked on a tour of Bermondsey’s Beer Mile, visiting several craft breweries along the renowned walking route.
Prince William and the Princess of Wales visiting a cheese stall at Borough Market
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At Southwark Brewing Company, Catherine demonstrated remarkable poise as she ascended a ladder in her £995 Louboutin boots to peer into a giant brewhouse kettle.
The princess paired the dark grey velvet suede footwear with cropped trousers and a checkered Catherine Walker blazer, completing her outfit with a blue blouse from WNU and Cartier Trinity earrings worth £3,200.
The couple also stopped at Fabal Beerhall, the newest venture from female-owned Hiver Beers, which uses exclusively British ingredients.
Throughout their brewery visits, William and Catherine learned about beer production, sampled ingredients, and even stirred a brewhouse kettle at the Southwark establishment, founded in 2014.
The royal visitors also spent time at Trethowan Brothers, an award-winning family cheesemaking business that has operated at Borough Market since 1998.
The Princess of Wales made a coffee during her trip
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Both William and Catherine tried slicing Pitchfork Cheddar, with owner Todd Trethowan declaring them “naturals” and noting they were “big cheese fans.”
When presented with cheese and chutney to take away, the couple remarked: “That’s lunch taken care of!”
Their final stop was Change Please, a social enterprise that trains homeless individuals as baristas whilst providing housing support and employment opportunities.
Catherine was eager to learn the craft, asking staff to demonstrate coffee grinding before trying the machines herself.
After frothing and pouring, she presented the result to her husband, announcing: “William, I made you a coffee!” Acknowledging it was not decaffeinated, she ultimately kept the drink herself.