A soldier described the Duchess of Cambridge as “very calm and down to earth” when she met her on Armed Forces Day.

Private Nadine Gwendu, who lives in Newhaven, met Kate at Windsor Castle on Saturday.

Pte Gwendu, who fought on the frontline with the 1st Battalion, Irish Guards, said meeting the Duchess during her first military duties was “like a dream come true”.

She said: “Now I have seen her, and she has shaken my hand – it is something different.

“She was very calm and down to earth.

“You wouldn’t think she is a duchess because she is so down to earth.

“She asked me what it was like living with so many men in Afghanistan and I told her that it was all right because I was like a priority to them.

“From the time I joined everyone has been g reat, from the guardsmen to the highest rank.”

Among the events for Armed Forces Day were was a flypast and military parade in Littlehampton.

Events were also held in Steyne Gardens at Worthing.