Prince and Princess of Wales meet mourners after viewing sea of floral tributes in Sandringham

Massive crowds greeted the Prince and Princess of Wales in Sandringham on Thursday.

The couple visited Queen Elizabeth's Norfolk estate to view the sea of floral tributes to Her Majesty and meet with mourners, who count the late monarch and the couple as a neighbours.

The Wales' have a country home nearby at Anmer Hall, while the Queen and Prince Philip were based there through the winter months, from December to February, with all of the British royal family spending Christmas together there.

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The smiles have returned, both across William and Kate's faces as well as the local community on seeing the couple back in town.

Prince William opted for a respectful navy suit with a black tie, while Kate dressed in a black pleated skirt and knit underneath a floor-length black coat.

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In a respectful nod to the Queen, the new Princess of Wales carried a black handbag just like Her Majesty used to as well as donned diamond and pearl earrings.

Kate shook hands affectionately with people in the crowds, which were at least ten rows deep, and took flowers given by mourners to place among the floral memorial garden.

The mum-of-three doted on babies in the crowd and spoke at length with one mother before cooing over a child who tried to grab the flowers in the princess's hands.

Prince William also doted on one of the cherubic bubs that Kate met with.

William and Kate took their time reading the tributes for the 96-year-old, who died at Balmoral on Thursday, that were left among the flowers.

At one point, the Prince of Wales affectionately put his hand on his wife's back, suggesting the outing was an emotional one for the pair.

There were balloons, cards and drawings left among the flowers.

Kate crouched down to read some of the messages as William looked down intently to take in the tributes to his grandmother.

The walkabout was reminiscent of the couple's appearance outside Windsor Castle on Saturday, alongside Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.

As with the appearance from the 'Fab Four', this time around the solo couple took their time mingling with the locals and hearing their stories of times spent with Her Majesty.