Meeting the Duchess of Cambridge

Kate's famous smile charmed thousands of royal fans in Marlborough today, but for one World War II veteran meeting the "lovely'' Duchess was extra special.

Wilton Sterritt, who served as a seaman for the Royal New Zealand Navy, was one of 10 veterans who met Catherine at Blenheim's Seymour Square.

Tucked away in his jacket pocket was a 40-year-old photograph of himself and the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Philip, from the Christchurch Commonwealth Games in 1974.

On seeing the photograph, which features a relaxed and much younger-looking Prince Philip, Kate beamed with delight.

"I was on the organising committee [for the Commonwealth] games. I had to show him [Prince Philip] around all the shooting venues,'' Mr Sterritt told media.

While he acknowledged the photo had been a hit with Kate, Mr Sterritt - who gave his age as over 90 - confessed to not being too aware of the conversation when asked what the pair had discussed.

"I've got a short memory,'' he laughed.

''[She said] 'oh, pleased to meet you'.''

When asked what he thought of Kate, Mr Sterritt said: "lovely, isn't she, very natural".

Mr Sterritt, who lives in Renwick, said his daughter had "fished out'' the photo for today's occasion.