The Princess of Wales reportedly went to Houghton this weekend
It is thought that Craig Richard's infamous non-stop event was the future Queen's "first festival ever"
Catherine, The Princess of Wales reportedly attended Craig Richards’ Houghton Festival over the weekend.
She was said to have attended without Prince William but was manned by “lots of security” and protection officers on her visit alongside the Marchioness of Cholmondeley, Rose Hanbury.
The Daily Mail reported on her attendance yesterday, calling Houghton an ‘upper-middle class festival’. The 24-hour festival was founded by Craig Richards in 2017 and sees around 12,000 ravers in attendance annually with a line-up featuring the likes of Ben UFO and Batu this year.
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According to a source close to The Daily Mail, Middleton was having dinner at Houghton Hall in Norfolk with the Marquess and Marchioness of Cholmondeley, David and Rose, when she was asked if she wanted to attend Houghton Festival - which was taking place on their 1,000-acre estate next door.
“After dinner, one of the guests suggested that Catherine go to the festival,” they told The Daily Mail. “Catherine was nervous about the idea, but, after much discussion with her protection officers, she went with lots of security. William wasn't there.”
In a follow-up report from The Evening Standard, a source close to the publication reported that the Princess visited the festival's upscale dining experience, the Turntable & Napkin, where she drank spicy margaritas and left a £700 tip.
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It’s thought to be the first time that Kate Middleton has attended a music festival. According to the publication, a Kensington Palace spokesman declined to comment on her attendance.
Houghton took place from August 10 - 13 this year featuring more than 200 DJs across the festival’s 13 stages. Despite its start in 2017, this year saw Houghton’s fourth edition take place following a string of cancellations between 2019 and 2022 due to storms, COVID, and staff shortages.
Gemma Ross is Mixmag's Assistant Editor, follow her on Twitter