The Princess of Wales joined a volunteer-run minibus service in Pulborough, West Sussex, where she collected a 94-year-old passenger before meeting elderly residents at a weekly lunch club.
Catherine’s visit to West Sussex Minibus was intended to highlight how community transport helps people in rural areas overcome isolation, mobility difficulties and financial hardship.
She arrived at the bungalow of Stella Drewett and waited outside until she was invited in. Mrs Drewett, a former school cook, insisted on making her own way out, telling the princess: “I like to do these things myself.”
“I bet you do!” Catherine replied. “I’ll follow you.” She then helped Mrs Drewett on to the minibus and travelled with her to collect other passengers on the way to Pulborough Village Hall.
Princess of Wales joins West Sussex Minibus passengers
The service, which is marking its 50th anniversary this year, operates entirely with volunteers. It has expanded from one minibus to a fleet of 11 vehicles, working from eight village hubs with the support of 284 volunteers.
The vehicles cover about 60,000 miles each year and provide 13,000 passenger journeys for people who might otherwise struggle to reach local activities and services.
At the village hall, Catherine sat with guests taking part in the weekly lunch club. She chatted to Lynda Jones, 75, and joked about domestic life with the Prince of Wales.
“I love washing up. I really do,” she said, prompting another guest to reply: “Oh good, a volunteer.”
Asked whether her husband helped at home, Catherine said: “He does the drying. We are a good double act. And we get the children involved.”
When Mrs Jones teased her about a bowl of crisps, the princess replied: “I do. I love salted,” before taking one. She then praised the group for creating a place where people could build friendships and avoid feeling cut off from their communities.
“You must all love coming together on your Wednesdays. A few crisps here and there!” she said.
Sarah Broadhurst, 87, thanked Catherine for visiting, while Clare Atkinson and Lynn Richards from the Pulborough District Community Care Association spoke to her about the activities organised for lunch club members.
Ms Atkinson said the princess was “so easy to talk to” and that they discussed the benefits such gatherings brought to health and mental wellbeing.
Outside the hall, residents and passers-by gathered after news of the previously unannounced visit spread. Catherine spoke by video call to the poorly mother and sister of Amanda Ridley, who had asked whether the princess would say hello.
She also chatted to Ms Ridley’s five-year-old daughter, Paloma, who was unwell, and wished her a speedy recovery.
The princess later crouched down to greet young children, helping one boy jump from the kerb, and stopped to stroke the ears of a three-year-old cocker spaniel named Jack. Catherine, who has two cocker spaniels herself, asked whether he was “cheeky” and stole food.
Royal officials said the visit was designed to recognise the role of community transport in bringing people together and enabling the everyday acts of kindness carried out by volunteers.
