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When royals go shopping - 24 times they've enjoyed some retail therapy

The Queen and her family are so down-to-earth

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Over the years, royal fans have spotted the likes of the Duchess of Cambridge out doing her weekly grocery shop at the supermarket and hunting through vintage stores, when she was Prince William's royal girlfriend. 

On occasions, the royals also get to shop while they work. Some of their engagements have taken them to department stores, markets and some of the most well-known high street brands. 

Check out HELLO!'s favourite photos of the Queen, the Duchess of Cambridge, the Prince of Wales and more, among the aisles. 

During their royal visit to Ireland in March 2020, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge popped into a local Londis convenience store to pick up ingredients to make vegetable soup with young people supported by social justice charity Extern, in County Kildare.

READ: 10 of the most hilarious royal tour photos

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The Duchess of Cornwall visited the Boots Piccadilly store in July 2020 for a cause close to her heart. Camilla popped into the central London store to hear about their support of the charity Hestia's Safe Spaces programme for victims of domestic violence, and receive an update on the Wash Bag project.

Launched by the Duchess in 2017, the Wash Bag Project donates a wash bag of toiletries to Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) clients, who have undergone a forensic examination, to provide some comfort at a sensitive time. In June, Boots delivered 3,993 wash bags.

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The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are pictured here at the official opening of the citizen's supermarket and community café in Birkenhead in January 2019. The supermarket allows local families to buy their weekly shopping at a discounted price and provides advice for debt, budgeting and cooking.

MORE: Workwear ideas from the royals: From Kate Middleton to Meghan Markle

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WATCH: The Queen visits Sainsbury's pop-up store in Covent Garden in 2019 to mark its 150th anniversary

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The Prince of Wales drew crowds as he stopped by budget retailer TK Maxx's Tooting branch in February 2020 to meet with Prince's Trust alumni employed at the store. Charles spent an hour at the south London store, expressing surprise at its scale and telling employees he was impressed by how "fresh" and brightly lit it was. While he didn't get a chance to peruse the rail of discount designer clothes, the Prince stopped briefly in the homeware section to look at some saucepans. 

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Stocking up on socks! Kate Middleton isn't one to let her feet get cold. Before she became the Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William's girlfriend was snapped shopping during the second day of the Gatcombe Park Festival of British Eventing at Gatcombe Park in 2005 .

MORE: 9 London restaurants loved by the royal family: Kate Middleton, the Queen & more

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If the hat fits, buy it! Isla Phillips tried on an oversized chapeau with her mother Autumn Phillips and older sister Savannah Phillips at the Gatcombe Horse Trials in 2014.

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Her Majesty is pictured here admiring a display of hats at a Fenwick department in Bracknell in October 2018. The visit was part of the town's plan to revamp the centre into a fantastic shopping and leisure destination.

MORE: The royal family's go-to pubs revealed

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Princess Diana didn't need a PA to do her groceries for her. Like most mums, the royal strolled her cart through a supermarket during a visit to Solihull in 1990.

MORE: Royal mums on the school run! Kate Middleton, Queen Letizia and Co are just like us

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The Queen, Prince Philip, Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall are pictured here in Waitrose peering into some food hampers during their visit to the supermarket in 2016. It is no shock that the royals were pictured in this shop as Waitrose became the first supermarket chain to be granted a Royal Warrant by the Queen in 2002. Hilariously, the Duke of Edinburgh appears to have taken a shining to the cheese – who can blame him?

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Kate Middleton knows you should always try before you buy. Prince William's wife popped on a Boden hat, while touring a new EACH charity shop in 2016.

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During an October 2016 visit to Poundbury, a new urban development on the edge of Dorchester, England, Queen Elizabeth popped into local supermarket to meet with staff and check out the locally sourced produce. 

MORE: The royals' favourite holiday destinations - where Prince Harry, Kate Middleton and more love to travel

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Perhaps purchasing for her grandchildren? The Duchess of Cornwall visited the children's clothing section of the trades stands during the 2015 Royal Windsor Horse Show.

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Princess Anne kept cozy in a furry hat as she looked around the clothing stalls at the Gatcombe Horse Trials in 2014.

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The Queen and Prince Philip popped into an H&M store, while touring the redeveloped King Edward Court Shopping Centre in 2008.

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In May 2017, Queen Letizia of Spain helped inaugurate Madrid's book fair along with husband King Felipe VI (not pictured). The royals picked up books for their daughters, including Princesas Dragón: El Misterio del Huevo Dorado (Dragon Princesses: The Mystery of the Golden Egg) and Edward Ross' graphic novel for teens, Filmish.

According to local press, in all the royal couple picked up around 50 books – most of them given as gifts from the some 20 stands they visited, despite the fact the king and queen insisted on paying. 

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A jar of joy! The Queen beamed during her visit to Piccadilly's Fortnum and Mason store in 2012, where she was shown jars of preserves.

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Prince Charles and his wife Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall checked out the new London Tech Hub with the British Fashion Council's Caroline Rush and Yoox Net-a-Porter's Federico Marchetti at the Yoox Net-a-Porter Group offices in May 2018. 

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Crown Princess Mary of Denmark admired clothing during her official visit to Canada in 2014.

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Prince Charles browsed the socks section during an outing to Westfield's Marks and Spencer.

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Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden checked out the Balmain capsule collection for retailer H&M in Lima, Peru.

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The Duchess of Cornwall paid a visit to the lingerie department of Marks and Spencer in 2009 to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the first store opening in the global chain.

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No royal checkout lane here! Prince Charles left Waitrose supermarket in 2011 with a bag filled with produce.

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Perhaps they offer a royal discount? Queen Elizabeth chatted with salespeople during a shopping trip to the Trade Stands at the Royal Windsor Horse Show in Berkshire. 

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