Kate Middleton is seen chatting to guests and enjoying a drink at 24-hour rave on Norfolk estate of her friend Rose Hanbury the Marchioness of Cholmondeley

Princess Kate let her hair down with a drink in a snap that appears to have been taken at an exclusive, 24-hour music festival in Norfolk last weekend.

In a photo, which is thought to have been taken at Houghton Festival, held on the land of Kate and William’s friends the Marquess and Marchioness of Cholmondeley, the Princess of Wales was pictured enjoying the drink with two other guests.

Opting for casual wear but still looking chic as ever, Kate, 41, wore a black, long-sleeved top with a bardot neckline and black jeans, belted at the waist.

She opted for a trusted pair of Vejas, one of her favourite pairs of casual shoes, and wore her thick brunette locks down and straight, hanging down her back. Rocking festival chic, she accessorised with gold statement earrings.

In the photo, which was shared on Twitter, the Princess appears deep in conversation with her fellow festival-goers, while carrying a short glass containing what appeared to be a cocktail. 

The Princess of Wales donned casual wear in an all black outfit, but looked chic as ever, as she held a drink and chatted to fellow festival-goers at the Houghton Festival in Norfolk last weekend

The Princess’s visit to the high society event marked her first ever festival – after reportedly being convinced to attend by her friends, Rose and David Hambury, whose 1,000-acre estate was hosting the event. 

A source told the Daily Mail that the mother-of-three had been dining at Houghton Hall with the Marquess and Marchioness of Cholmondeley when a friend convinced Princess Kate to attend.

‘After dinner, one of the guests suggested that Catherine go to the festival,’ the source said. 

‘Catherine was nervous about the idea, but, after much discussion with her protection officers, she went with lots of security. William wasn’t there.’ 

Billed as Britain’s only 24-hour music festival, it is the brainchild of DJ Craig Richards, who launched the event in 2017. More than 200 artists performed across 13 stages from last Thursday to Sunday with music playing somewhere on the Houghton Estate site at all times. More than 12,000 revellers were expected to attend.

Although Catherine is not known to have previously attended a festival, she does like to dance. Before she married into the royal family, she was pictured attending a roller-disco with friends including the jockey Sam Waley-Cohen in 2008.

A Kensington Palace spokesman declined to comment, so it’s not clear why William didn’t join his wife. It was the Glorious Twelfth on Saturday so the heir to the throne, a keen shot, could have been on a grouse-shooting trip with friends.

The Houghton Festival is held on the 1,000 acre Houghton Hall Estate which is owned by the Marchioness (right) and Marquess of Cholmondeley

The Evening Standard also revealed this week that the Princess of Wales reportedly offered hospitality staff at the festival a £700 tip for the meal she ate during her visit.

During her night out, she is said to have avoided the festival food trucks, instead opting for the on-site Turntable & Napkin restaurant, where diners pay £60 each for a four-course meal. 

‘[Catherine] was in high spirits, ordering spicy margaritas, eating affogato [an Italian coffee-based dessert], and speaking affably with the other members of her party,’ the newspaper reported.

‘Her companions apparently carted in a huge, balthazar-sized bottle of AIX rosé and, together with Kate, left the festival restaurant staff a £700 tip.’

A balthazar is a 12-litre bottle and it would cost about £500 from a wine shop.

Catherine’s lively night out is just the latest example of the warm friendship between the future king and queen and the Cholmondeleys, nicknamed the ‘Turnip Toffs’, who live just a few miles from their Norfolk retreat, Anmer Hall.

Last September, the Marquess was replaced as Lord Great Chamberlain after the death of Queen Elizabeth. 

However, King Charles made sure that the Marquess, aka filmmaker David Rocksavage, did not lose his intimate connection with the monarchy.

In March, I reported that the King handed the Marquess a new position that would see him and his wife, the bohemian former model Rose Hanbury, returning to the heart of the royal court.

The King appointed the Marquess, 63, as his Lord-in-Waiting, a prestigious position that would see him attend important state and royal occasions, as well as being called upon to represent His Majesty at various events.

Rose married Rocksavage in 2009. He is 23 years her senior and friends had almost given up hope that he would ever marry.

Rose soon produced an heir and spare, twins Alexander and Oliver. Like Catherine, she has since given birth to a third child, Iris.

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Read more at DailyMail.co.uk