A one-year-old boy ‘stole’ the Princess of Wales’s handbag during a walkabout in the Welsh village of Aberfan today.

Little Daniel reached out for Kate’s black handbag as she stopped to talk to his mum Lucy Williams.

She left Daniel to play with it for several minutes as she spoke to other visitors before coming back to retrieve it.

Speaking after the visit, mum-of-two Mrs Williams, 30, described the ‘memorable’ encounter.

She said: ‘He just stole her handbag. He took a shine to it and she let him play with it.’

Her mother-in-law, Carole Williams, described it as ‘priceless – something to remember’.

The moment occurred at the end of a trip to the Aberfan Memorial Garden on Friday, the site of a 1966 disaster in which 144 people were killed, including 116 schoolchildren.

Daniel Williams took a shine to Kate’s handbag (Picture: PA)

So much so that he decided he liked it for himself (Picture: PA)

The youngster brought a smile to the princess’s face as well as those gathered around (Picture: PA)

He was even allowed to look after it for a little while while she chatted to other royal fans (Picture: PA)

Daniel was very happy with himself (Picture: PA)

Lucy treasured the ‘memorable’ encounter (Picture: PA)

William and Kate were met by a cheering crowd and dozens of children waving Welsh flags.

They were led by survivor David Davies through the former site of Pantglas Primary School, which was engulfed by the landslide from a colliery spoil tip.

The royal couple were abseiled down a mountain in South Wales Valleys yesterday.

The Central Beacons Mountain Rescue Team lowered the couple down the cliff in the wet and windy area of the Bannau Brycheiniog near Merthyr Tydfil.

When asked by instructors if he had abseiled before, William confessed: ‘It’s been a while.’

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at [email protected].

For more stories like this, check our news page.

‘He just stole her handbag. He took a shine to it and she let him play with it.’