For many years there has been a special bond of affection between the people of West Norfolk and the Royal Family who have referred to their 'neighbours' in King's Lynn.

Generations of the Royal Family have arrived at Lynn railway station en route to Sandringham and countless times they have driven the eight miles from the Royal Estate into Lynn to carry out public engagements, attend King's Lynn Festival concerts and even to shop and visit the Mart.

Because Sandringham is the Queen's private country retreat it is without the pomp and formality of Buckingham Palace and is a place where the family has more time to relax.

It has also proved a good place to introduce the latest royal baby to their special role in life.

Diana, Princess of Wales, used Christmas visits to church at Sandringham to good effect when Princes William and Harry were youngsters. On the walk back after the morning service the Princess, with a reassuring hand on their shoulders, gently coaxed her sons to talk to people in the crowd.

They must have both been primary school age – Harry would have been six or seven – it was a lovely scene and you could see what she was doing with that scenario.

The princes have undoubtedly inherited their mother's easy, friendly and interested style learned in those early years. There was often an added incentive for the boys as spectators in the crowd often gave them sweets! I remember vividly both princes beaming broadly after one such encounter as they walked away, each clutching a Toblerone bar.

The Princess also used Christmas visits to Sandringham to give her sons an early introduction to the theatre when she took them to the annual pantomime staged at the Princess Theatre, Hunstanton.

Anmer Hall, which is to become Prince William and Kate's own country retreat, was home for the Duke and Duchess of Kent for some years when their three children were growing up.

The Duchess and her offspring once visited a sports shop in Lynn High Street to buy tennis clothing prior to the youngsters competing in the annual Hunstanton tennis tournament.

A few years later the couple's elder son, the Earl of St Andrews, could be seen out driving with L-plates on the relatively quiet roads of the Royal Estate.

Maybe one day history will be repeated...