Prince George thoroughly enjoyed his first day at nursery, the Duchess of Cambridge has told well-wishers as she made a surprise appearance at a Gallipoli anniversary ceremony.

Kate and William on Sunday joined the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh at a Gallipoli wreath-laying service held at a war memorial on the monarch’s Sandringham estate.

After attending a traditional service at Sandringham’s St Mary Magdalene Church with the Queen and Philip, the Cambridges walked behind the monarch to the nearby war memorial cross.

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Hundreds of local residents turned out for the religious event where prayers were said and a minute’s silence observed, and afterwards the royal party chatted to members of the Gallipoli Association.

William and Kate have had a busy week: they released pictures, taken by Kate, of son Prince George to mark his first day at nursery; and celebrated the Duchess’ 34th birthday on Saturday.

Kate, who wore a black polo-neck jumper and tweed blazer and skirt by Michael Kors, was joined at church by her parents, Michael and Carole Middleton, and siblings Pippa and James.

Among the group were two of Princess Charlotte’s godparents, James Meade and Sophie Carter.

The Middletons are likely to have helped William in throwing birthday celebrations for the Duchess at the Cambridges’ Norfolk home of Anmer Hall.

After Sunday’s ceremony the Duke and Duchess spoke to Arthur Coxon, 88, a retired Royal Navy Lieutenant Commander whose father fought in Gallipoli and spent much of the First World War in a Turkish prisoner of war camp after being wounded and captured.

Mr Coxon said: “They asked what my connection with the association was and I congratulated Kate on the lovely photos of Prince George.”

“She said he went off to school bravely as anything and thoroughly enjoyed it,” the veteran added.