It was quite a surprise for residents and visitors alike to find out that Prince William was to come over to watch the Isle of Man TT.

The Examiner went to the TT Grandstand, following the Duke of Cambridge’s visit, to ask people whether they had spotted the royal and what their thoughts were about him coming over for the festival.

’I was gutted that I wasn’t here to see him,’ said Les Nicol, 51, from Mount Murray.

His friend Paul Healey, aged 40, from Onchan said: ’I didn’t see him, but it was good that he came over.’

Les continued: ’I read that he had a good chat with the Kneen family. He was given a Dan Kneen shirt and said that he was going to wear it with pride, which is great! I think we should have more royal visits.’

Both men think he should bring Harry over with him next year.

Neil Hawkins, aged 54, and Ali White, aged 52, both from the Wirral were also disappointed to have missed out on seeing the Prince.

Ali said: ’We were up at Kate’s Cottage when he visited.’

Neil continued: ’I kept waving at all the course cars coming past, hoping he was in one of them.

’I think it’s fantastic that he’s stood up and supported this race. It’s fantastic for everybody here and any support great for the racing in the Isle of Man.’

Ali added: ’I think it’s brilliant! I like how Prince William is bit more laid back. He’s a lovely lad.’

Alison Cain from Andreas was one of the lucky few to have seen the Duke during his visit to the TT Paddock.

She said: ’I was working and was told he had arrived, so I went down to try and see him.

’I could see him shaking all the kids’ hands. He seemed genuinely friendly and kind. There were quite a lot of people, but he had no qualms.

’Some boys had got their hands shaken and you could see that they were totally buzzing.

’My daughter Macy Cain, aged nine, was upset that she couldn’t come earlier to see him.

’It’s always nice to see royalty and for people to see that the royals do know the TT and want to be part of the event,’ she explained.

Ian Hatcher, aged 70, from Scotland and Linda Hoare from Oxfordshire, who have recently become TT friends, were sad to have missed seeing Prince William.

’I was on the mountain near Brandywell when he visited,’ said Ian.

Linda said: ’And I was at Ballacraine. I was also here in the island when Prince Philip visited a few years ago.’

Howard and Janet Beedle, aged 73 and 71, visited the island from Derbyshire and were in Ramsey while the Duke was at the TT Grandstand.

Janet said: ’I’m afraid we missed him, but not deliberately! The royals are so approachable. They are just great and it’s great that he came over. It must be good for the TT and the Isle of Man.’

Her husband continued: ’It’s excellent that Prince William came over to see the TT. Although I understand that Kate’s not too happy about him riding a motorcycle.’

He added: ’You [Isle of Man Newspapers] have to try and get Harry and Meghan over next year.’