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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Jennifer Newton

Queen made cutting comment about Kate Middleton's new kitchen, claims royal author

When the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge aren't busy in London, they can often be found at their country retreat.

Anmer Hall is on the Queen's Sandringham estate in Norfolk and is one of their three homes.

It was given to Prince William and Kate as a wedding present from the Queen and they moved into the property after a £1.5million refurbishment that was completed in 2015.

Mum-of-three Kate was said to have spearheaded the renovations, with one of the stand-out rooms being the huge open-plan kitchen.

However, according to royal author and expert Sally Bedell Smith, it turns out the Queen was not so keen on the revamped kitchen - and made her feelings known when visiting the property.

Kate Middleton with the Queen, who gifted her and Prince William Anmer Hall in Norfolk (AFP via Getty Images)

Ms Bedell Smith, the writer behind the book Elizabeth the Queen: The Life of a Modern Monarch, told PEOPLE magazine : "I remember when they had just finished renovating Anmer Hall, and they invited the Queen over for lunch.

"They have one of those big kitchens with eating areas, and she said, 'I can't understand why everybody spends their time in the kitchen'."

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Over the Queen's Platinum Jubilee weekend earlier this summer, royal fans got a sneak glimpse at William and Kate's kitchen.

Kate was photographed baking with Prince George, eight, Princess Charlotte, seven, and Prince Louis, four, ahead of a Jubilee event.

It's not known if the images were taken at Anmer Hall or Kensington Palace, the royal's London pad.

The Cambridges Christmas card photo taken at Anmer Hall (Kensington Palace via Getty Imag)

Meanwhile, Anmer, a four-storey ten-bedroom home, was useful during the pandemic - with the couple both taking royal engagements from there.

On a Zoom call, Prince William gave people a look inside his office while chatting about football. Another meeting revealed the full ceiling-to-floor bookcases in view.

And the royal couple was previously seen filming in what is believed to be the family's living room.

And they've taken some sweet photographs there - including Charlotte's first birthday, where she was captured at home on a plaid patterned armchair.

In another official photograph, the family can be seen cosily posing in front of their outdoor log pile.

However, the Cambridges might be able to invite the Queen over more often if a house move comes off.

They are rumoured to be moving to Adelaide Cottage in Windsor, just a stone's throw from Windsor Castle - the monarch's main residence these days.

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