AN ALTON family met the Duke and Duchess of Sussex on their walkabout in Windsor on Saturday.

Teacher Michael Clarke, 37, met Harry and Meghan with his daughters Isabelle, ten and Sophie, six. He told the Daily Mail: “I shook his hand and told him I was so sorry for his loss. It’s a privilege to meet royalty but also a sad time. I wasn’t surprised to see them as a family should be together to grieve.” His wife Lauren said Harry was “really sweet with the children”, adding: “You can tell he has his own.”

Lauren is the Year 1 teacher at Alton School, and both her children are pupils there.

She said: “As a family we made the decision to visit Windsor simply for Isabelle and Sophie to lay flowers at the Cambridge Gate. It was so wonderful to go and see so many people paying their respects. Just as we were leaving to go, some of the Windsor stewards and police officers started putting up barriers. We were one of the last families to be able to lay flowers at the gate.

“We overheard a police officer say they were expecting a member of the royal family so we were in the perfect position to wait and see who came. Rumours circulated it was William and Katherine and it was an additional surprise that Meghan and Harry joined them.

“It explained the helicopter that was circling for rather a long time before the Fab Four came out.

“We heard the crowd cheer as we saw William, Katherine, Meghan and Harry walk together towards the flowers and tributes for the Queen.

“Harry and Meghan walked along the barrier towards Isabelle and Sophie.

“Harry shook their hands and crouched down to speak with the girls. He asked their names, if they had been waiting long and if they knew what was happening. We explained we had come to lay some flowers for the Queen and Harry asked Isabelle what her favourite flower was.

“He thanked the children for coming down, my husband Michael shook his hand and we passed on our condolences.

“It was quite a moment and one that we will all remember. We were then interviewed by Sky News, the BBC and two further reporters.”