She's famed for her thrifty style when it comes to recycling outfits for official enagements, yet it still comes as some surprise to hear that Kate Middleton is not above haggling for a bargain when she sees something she likes.

For among the visitors to a recent antiques fair at a showground in Wales, not far from where Kate and William live, was the  Duchess of Cambridge, and upon spotting a pair of antique vases that took her fancy, ruthless Kate she beat the stall holder down from £180 to £160.

Nick Bayliss, owner of Ludlow-based Continuity Fairs, who chatted with the duchess, said: "We had sent out complimentary tickets to Prince William and the duchess for our May fair and again in October, and to my absolute delight in she comes with her party on the Sunday morning and had her hand stamped with the green dragon by my daughter, who didn't recognise her."

Kate spent some time going round the fair before negotiating a best price on the Imari vases, according to the Antiques Trade Gazette.

Kate's grandmother-in-law, Queen Elizabeth, who keeps her breakfast cereal in tupperware boxes to keep it from going stale, would doubtless approve.