Prince GeorgeandPrincess Charlottewere a surprise addition onKate MiddletonandPrince William’s outing to Wales on Saturday.
Kicking off the third day of the Platinum Jubilee celebrations, the Cambridge family (minus 4-year-oldPrince Louis, who was likely deemed too young for the visit!), visited Cardiff Castle to take in the local celebrations being held in honor of Queen Elizabeth.
The day is especially poignant for 8-year-old George, whose visit mirrors his father’s first official trip to Wales when he was the same age. Back in March 1991, he joined his mother Princess Diana and fatherPrince Charlesin Cardiff. The excited crowds handed the young prince daffodils — the Welsh national flower — as he went on a walkabout outside Llandaff Cathedral.
Their appearance in Wales underlines one of the main objects of the Jubilee weekend — to not only celebrate the Queen’s 70-year reign, but to also stress the future and the succession of the monarchy. In George and William, we have two future kings and two future Princes of Wales.
Kate Middleton, Prince William, Prince George and Princess Charlotte.PA Images / Alamy Stock Photo
“The Jubilee is of historic significance but it’s equally an opportunity to show the succession and the monarchy as a whole,” a royal source tells PEOPLE.
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Princess Diana, Prince William and Prince Charles during a visit to Cardiff in 1991.Globe Photos/ZUMAPRESS.com
Kate wore her Eponine red coat dress with her DeMellier bag and Spells of Love gold earrings (the designer is Welsh!) and Charlotte stepped out in her go-to Amaia coat in navy.
At one point, the royals joined the orchestra on stage as they played Welsh singer Tom Jones' hit “Delilah.” They moved along the stage to then watch a rock drummer do a roll. The live music entertainment will be especially fun for George. Kate previously revealed that the young prince is learning to play the guitar.
Kate Middleton, Prince William, Prince George and Princess Charlotte.Tim Rooke/Shutterstock
The family — with Charlotte, 7, clutching her dad William’s hand — then went to watch dancers and young musical performers on the castle lawns.
As Bonnie Tyler warmed up with “Total Eclipse of the Heart,” they chatted with to some of the food stall vendors preparing for the concert crowd. The family then delighted a small crowd of locals who had been allowed inside the castle before the gates closed.
Kate Middleton and Princess Charlotte.Samir Hussein/WireImage
William, who had his arm across his son’s shoulder, encouraged George to shake some hands as the excited well-wishers chatted to them. Charlotte was also ushered in to join in the chat.
Prince Williamshared a special moment with Siobhan Lewis, 37, who has cerebral palsy, and her mother Tracey, from Cardiff. Siobhan told the prince that she met Princess Diana when she was at the Peto Institute in Budapest, Hungary.
“He was happy to hear that and said that he knew she’d been to Hungury a few times,” Tracey tells PEOPLE.
Kate Middleton, Princess Charlotte, Prince George and Prince William.Ben Birchall/PA Images via Getty Images
All the royals gathered around to chat with her, and Kate was drawn to the bright buckles on her red sneakers.
“Catherine really loved the sparkles on my shoes,” says Siobhan. “I gave her a bouquet of flowers. They were sweet Williams. William said, ‘How sweet.'”
“We both shook all their hands. We knew William and Kate were coming but it was an added bonus having the children. It was really lovely. They were all wonderfully relaxed and friendly,” she says.
Prince George, Prince William, Princess Charlotte and Kate Middleton.Ben Birchall/PA Images via Getty Images
The family also chatted with a group of local Scouts.
“George and Charlotte asked how I got my badges,” Jack Lovatt, 12, tells PEOPLE. “And William asked George if he had done similar in scouts.”
Kate Middleton, Princess Charlotte, Prince George and Prince William.Samir Hussein/WireImage
A fun moment for George and Charlotte came when they were introduced to a goat named Shenkin the Fourth — the mascot of of the 3rd battalion Royal Welsh regiment.
Shenkin and Sgt. Jackson were among the battalion’s band, which was providing a festive musical backdrop as the royals left.
“It was a beautiful surprise for Cardiff to have the children here and an absolute privilege and honor for us to be here and meet the royals and welcome them to Wales,” he adds.
ASHLEY CROWDEN/AFP via Getty Images
Prince George and Princess Charlotte.Chris Jackson/Getty Images
Later today, William and Kate will attend the concert held outside of Buckingham Palace, where William and his fatherPrince Charleswill pay tribute to the Queen in speeches they are set to give on stage.
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Prince George and Princess Charlotte.Ben Birchall/PA Images via Getty Images
source: people.com
