A schoolgirl 'cries with joy' as Kate Middleton helps her lay corgi tribute for the Queen

Kate Middleton helps schoolgirl lay tribute

(Image credit: Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images and Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Image/Future)

published 18 September 2022

While Prince William and Kate Middleton viewed the tributes laid at the gates of Sandringham for the Queen, the Princess of Wales helped a schoolgirl who wanted to leave a Corgi teddy for the Queen.

Prince William and Kate Middleton travelled to Norfolk to view the tributes laid outside Sandringham for the late Queen on the 16th of September
During their visit, Princess Kate invited a young schoolgirl to walk with her and place a corgi teddy among the tributes
In other royal news, it has been revealed who will be attending The Queen's funeral - and who hasn't been invited

In anticipation of Prince William and Princess Kate's visit to Sandringham House in Norfolk, thousands of well-wishers gathered behind metal barriers to see the couple and pay their respects to the late Queen.

The couple stayed for almost an hour both speaking to people and reading the many messages left among the bouquets of flowers laid at the main gates to Sandringham House.

In a highlight moment, the Princess of Wales singled out a young schoolgirl for a memorable moment while she attended the tribute with her headteacher, Mr Hill, and her school friends.

Image 1 of 1

Kate Middleton collects flowers — (Image credit: Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Image)

Eight-year-old Elizabeth Sulkovska was invited by Kate to walk with her to place a corgi teddy and a bouquet of flowers among the tributes. After the event, the young child said she was "very happy” to have placed her tribute alongside the royal.

Mr Hill said, “Elizabeth was overwhelmed, she cried with joy at being chosen, it’s just a wonderful, amazing opportunity.

"The older generation obviously knew the Queen for longer but young children that haven’t experienced the Queen for long on the throne still are greatly moved by her passing, and really want to do their best to celebrate her life and legacy and never forget her,” he added.

Image 1 of 1

Flowers at Norfolk house — (Image credit: Samir Hussein/WireImage)

The headteacher also said that William and Kate noticed a Paddington Bear tribute the school had made and laid earlier. He said, "It’s got our same logo on the badge as our school uniform and they both commented about that.”

The estate, where the Queen traditionally spent Christmas, has been visited by thousands of people, all wishing to pay their respects and leave tributes which have piled up by the gates since news of her death was announced last Thursday.

In an Instagram post after their visit, William and Kate simply wrote, "Thank you to everyone in Sandringham today."

Related articles:

Charlie Elizabeth Culverhouse is a news writer for Goodtoknow, specialising in family content. She began her freelance journalism career after graduating from Nottingham Trent University with an MA in Magazine Journalism, receiving an NCTJ diploma, and earning a First Class BA (Hons) in Journalism at the British and Irish Modern Music Institute. She has also worked with BBC Good Food and The Independent.