Kate’s secret door into school-run mums’ bash

IT’S been a long time since the Duchess of Cambridge was able to wander along to the pub for a tipple or two with friends without anyone noticing.

But she managed to do just that when she joined fellow ‘school-run mums’ at a drinks party in Chelsea – and she owes it all to a secret entrance that, legend has it, was installed especially for Prince Harry.

Although the venue – the Hollywood Arms – sounds uberglamorous, it is actually pretty low-key, with regulars drawn by its lazy weekend brunches and Sunday roasts.

Kate was there last month to attend a ‘meet and greet’ drinks party, held each year for parents of new pupils at the £6,000 a term Thomas’s school in Battersea. Her daughter Princess Charlotte, four, joined in September, following in the footsteps of her big brother George, who has been a pupil at the school since 2017.

The Duchess was able to attend the event thanks to a special entrance at the Hollywood Arms. Using the doorway in a rear alley meant Kate could pass in and out without someone recording it on their smartphone.

With just one Royal protection officer keeping a discreet eye on the festivities, Kate is said to have enjoyed a few drinks and was relaxed in the company of her new pals.

The group used a private salon, called the Boulevard Bar, which costs £2,500 to hire and can hold up to 80 people.

According to my sources, the secret entrance was originally installed for Harry during his bachelor days.

Although the pub is quite restrained these days, it used to be the place to be seen for Chelsea socialites.

At that time it was owned by Willow Crossley and her now husband Charlie. They lived above the premises and hosted wild parties every week.

The couple sold the pub in 2015 and Willow turned her attentions to floral designs – she was responsible for the flower arrangements for Prince Harry and Meghan’s wedding reception.

It seems to me that the Duchess is showing all the signs of being as laid back as the Queen when she is off duty.

It’s quite a feat for a senior Royal to avoid making a song and dance in public… particularly when they are attending a song and dance!