Kate hits the High Street for a spot of Christmas shopping: Duchess of Cambridge is seen at favourite department store Peter Jones (but did she get some gifts for George and Charlotte?)

Even a royal has to pop out for some last minute Christmas shopping from time to time.

And wrapped up warm in her favourite houndstooth coat, paired with stylish black boots, the Duchess of Cambridge looked ready to do battle with the festive hordes on Friday.

Kate, 33, was spotted in upmarket Chelsea, where she spent an hour in department store Peter Jones, a branch of John Lewis.

She emerged with a carrier bag, a check tablecloth tucked under one arm and a wry smile on her face, so presumably her trip had been successful.

Whether her purchases included any last minute gifts for two-year-old George and baby Charlotte remains a mystery. 

Christmas shopping: The Duchess of Cambridge wrapped up in a sophisticated houndstooth coat as she stepped out in London on Friday

Low-key: The 33-year-old royal kept her look relaxed with a simple up-do as she joined hundreds of British shoppers on the high street

Elegant: The mother-of-two added a touch of colour with a muted blue bag, as she carried her John Lewis plastic bag in the other hand

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We do love a Duchess of Cambridge spot and this has been a bumper week.

Not only has she debuted a shorter hair style, but she attended a glamorous diplomatic reception at Buckingham Palace in pale blue Alexander McQueen, before taking part in a charity fundraising in a recycled L.K. Bennett dress and jacket.

Just days ago however, Kate modeled a new hounds-tooth coat from one of her favorite high street labels, Reiss and this chic winter warmer in a timeless check is clearly a royal favorite for the time being, as she gave it its second outing today while out grocery shopping.

If you're in need of a new season cover up and you're a fan of Kate's elegant style then click (right) to buy it now. Whether you layer it over jeans or your little black dress it'll add a touch of royal sophistication to your look.

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The Cambridges are preparing to spend their first Christmas as a family of four after the birth of Princess Charlotte in May. 

As with last year, they will attend the traditional Christmas Day church service at St Mary Magdalene Church with the rest of the Royal Family, but are then expected to return to their Norfolk mansion for a dinner with the Middletons rather than join the Queen at Sandringham House. 

And it is set to be an extra special festive season as Prince William, 33, revealed last week that toddler Prince George finally understands what all of the festive fuss is about. 

Speaking in a rare personal interview, William said: 'If I get any sleep on Christmas Eve it'll be good! George will be bouncing around like a rabbit.' 

He added: 'So that will be two children, one who suddenly appreciates Christmas, which could be quite challenging. But I'm looking forward to it.'  

Festive cheer: The Duchess and her husband, Prince William, are preparing to host their first Christmas at their Norfolk home 

Wrapping up for winter: Kate chose a practical pair of black suede boots for the trip - perfect for strolling around the shops 

Simple up-do: While the Duchess' new hairstyle has won her plaudits from stylists, the royal decided to keep it tied up for her shopping trip

Plenty of presents: The Duchess spent about an hour browsing in the department store, and could have chosen gifts to be delivered 

Good spirits: The Duchess, who appeared to be carrying a checked tablecloth under one arm, looked relaxed as she shopped on Friday 

Private celebrations: The Cambridges will attend the traditional Christmas Day church service but will return to Anmer Hall

Kate has had a busy week with three royal engagements. On Tuesday, she donned a tiara for a glitzy diplomatic reception at Buckingham Palace, the next morning she attended a charity day in the City of London while on Thursday she visited the Action on Addiction charity in Warminster. 

She was joined by her husband at some of the events, so it might be that she was using the time away from him on Friday afternoon as an opportunity to slip out and buy his Christmas gifts.

Opting for a low-key look, the Duchess wore the same £325 monochrome Reiss coat that she wore when she visited the Action on Addiction charity. She completed the outfit with a black turtleneck jumper, and kept her hair in a simple up-do.  

Understated style: The Duchess paired her wrap coat with a black turtleneck jumper and kept her make-up and hair simple

Family favourite: Earlier this week, Kate's mother, Carole Middleton, was spotted shopping in the same upmarket area of London 

Christmas magic: This will be the first year the Cambridges spend the festive season as a family of four after the birth of Princess Charlotte

The Duchess has joined William at a number of royal engagements this week, so it might be that she slipped out to buy his present

Peter Jones has been very popular with the Middleton family this week as Kate's sister Pippa and mother Carole were seen there on Thursday. The pair were spotted loading bulging bags into the boot of their car - perhaps stocking up on gifts for the little Prince and Princess. 

Well-wishers planning on catching a glimpse of the royals outside the church on Christmas Day are hoping two-year-old George will make his first appearance at the traditional service.

Last year, Kate's siblings, Pippa and James, and her parents, Carole and Michael, were invited to join the Royal Family at the church.  

Kate's day out on Wednesday came just 12 hours after she was seen arriving at the Diplomatic Reception in the Cambridge Lover's Knot Tiara which was given to Princess Diana as a wedding present in 1981 by the Queen

The Duchess of Cambridge met trader Nigel Halligan, who dressed as a woman, as she and Prince William get stuck into the charity day on the trading floor at the 23rd ICAP annual Charity Day in the City of London on Wednesday

When the Duchess of Cambridge arrived at the centre on Thursday, she hid her bold dress (right) by designer Emilia Wickstead beneath this Reiss coat (left), the same one she was seen wearing in Chelsea earlier today

Carole Middleton looks elegant in a stylisth suede gilet lined with fur, and her new layered bob as she and Pippa load the boot of a Range Rover with their haul from Chelsea department store Peter Jones