IT was only a matter of time and last week saw the first post-baby pictures of Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, published in the national Press.

In what can only be described as fairly mundane pictures, there she was ‘papped’ in a supermarket car park (minus Prince George).

You may not have seen them, only one national paper chose to publish them – the rest somewhat bizarrely in my opinion – deciding that the Duchess was entitled to privacy in the very public supermarket car park.

But while columnists worked themselves up to a frenzy about her lack of baby fat, I couldn’t help but ponder why a real-life princess would choose to do her own supermarket shopping?

I know we’re constantly told that the modern monarchy are just like the rest of us, but the weekly shop?

Of course none of us needs go anywhere near a checkout these days.

Most supermarkets offer internet ordering services.

But how many of us choose to use them? Not me. I’m far too fussy. I need to check my apples aren’t bruised, my bread is fresh and that I’m spending my money wisely.

Plus I usually haven’t a clue what I’m going to buy before I get there.

And so I opt instead to trawl the supermarket aisles looking for culinary inspiration or that all important bargain. Perhaps it’s the same for a duchess.

Perhaps she has to run the gauntlet of the paparazzi because she too is secretly hooked on supermarket shopping?

But surely there must be other chores a duchess chooses not to do? If it were me I would plump for cleaning the oven.

And I’m not alone. The other week I decided to ‘treat myself’ and pay one of those oven cleaning firms to do the job for me, but despite ringing around every company I could find, not one could fit me in.

Which leaves only one thing for it – I’m going to have to roll up my sleeves and give Kate a ring. I’m pretty sure she will say yes, just as long as I can keep those dreaded photographers away.