Prince William and Kate Middleton were dressed in black as they stepped out on their first royal engagement since the Queen's funeral.
The royal couple were greeted by a small crowd as they arrived at Windsor Guildhall this afternoon to meet volunteers and operational staff involved in the organisation of Queen Elizabeth II's funeral.
They included St John Ambulance volunteers, council workers, stewards, Crown Estate staff and logistics teams.
William and Kate first spoke to a group of Royal Borough ambassadors, who said people in the crowd were not just locals, but many had turned up from all over the world to pay their respects to the late monarch.
"It's amazing how many people wanted to come and pay their respects," the Princess of Wales said.
William could be heard asking: "How difficult was Monday? How challenging was it?"
He later said: "It's been a busy few days but you guys have been doing long hours as well, so thank you so much."
When one member of staff talked about how difficult the last few days must have been for the family, the Prince of Wales said: "If you flip it on its head, it is always very comforting that so many people care.
"It makes it a lot better.
"There are certain moments that catch you out.
"You are prepared for all but certain moments catch you out."
He added: “It is the things you don’t expect that get to you,” adding that he got “choked up” over the Paddington tributes.
Speaking later to council workers, William also joked about there being a new “competition” between Paddington Bear and the corgis
.
He said Paddington is “a new addition” but “the corgis have been there for longer”.
William and Kate also spoke to members of the Crown Estate, who helped to organise the floral tributes in Windsor, about the number of flowers left by members of the public.
The heir to the throne described the colours as “amazing”.
Kate added: “The spotlight was on Windsor and it looked incredible, so well done.”
The prince thanked the team for their work, saying people “don’t see all the hard work that goes into it”, before adding: “We appreciate all the hours you have put in.”
When the Crown Estate staff thanked the pair for coming to say thank you, Kate said: “It’s the least we could do. We should have been volunteering.”
Kate spoke about seeing all the infrastructure like barriers going up along the roads "coming back and forwards from the school run".
William said: "We did not see the whole town come to a standstill.
"That's what we were worried about, that it would disrupt everyone's lives."
The couple also spoke to staff who organised the infrastructure on the Long Walk and the stewards supporting the crowds in Windsor.
William asked about the challenges and how they found 1,000 people to work the event at such short notice.
The pair thanked the group for their work, adding he hopes they can now “catch up on some sleep”.
Their engagement is one of their first since William became the heir apparent and became known as the Prince of Wales, after the death of his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, and the accession of his father, Charles, to become the King.
William also inherited the title Duke of Cornwall and is now the Duke of Cornwall and Cambridge.
Kate is now known as the Princess of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall and Cambridge.
Other royals are also undertaking engagements today to thank people involved in the Queen's funeral and to recognise the service of those on deployment overseas.
The Earl of Wessex is visiting Estonia and Germany in his role as Royal Colonel of 2nd Battalion of The Rifles and Royal Honorary Colonel of the Royal Wessex Yeomanry.
This trip includes thanking members of 2 Rifles for their service to the Queen at Camp Tapa, Estonia, and visiting troops on deployment from the Royal Wessex Yeomanry at the Normandy Barracks in Paderborn, Germany.
The Princess Royal is visiting Portsmouth Naval Base to meet Royal Navy personnel who took part in the funeral procession.
Anne will also visit St Omer Barracks in Aldershot to meet personnel who played a central role in providing logistical support during the funeral.
Family members are still observing a royal mourning period which lasts until Monday.
