A SUPERMAKET worker who did not recognise Prince William as he bagged trolley loads of drink at her checkout has spoken of her shock.

Stephanie Surface from Portland thought it was going to be just another day when she started work at Weymouth's Asda store.

So when the future king started to unload his shopping at her till the 18-year-old barely raised an eyebrow.

It was only when the prince's bodyguards appeared from the aisles with three more trolleys that the teenager realised she was in the presence of royalty.

She said: "I didn't notice him at first because he was dressed down - T-shirt, baseball cap and jeans.

"I checked his trolley to make sure there was nothing left in it when he started to bag up and then three more men appeared with more trolleys. I thought it wasn't normal then a second later caught his eye and realised who he was.

"I said 'hello' and he said 'hi'.

Stephanie, a former pupil at Royal Manor Arts College, said the dressed-down prince gave the impression of being quite shy.

"He said a few words to his bodyguards and I just tried to concentrate on my job.

"We acknowledged each other and he smiled. When he left a few of my colleagues came over and said how lucky I was."

The prince is training to be a troop leader at Bovington Army Camp 15 miles away from Weymouth. He spent just over an hour in the store buying alcohol and snacks worth £850.

Stephanie said: "When I told my friends they didn't believe me - it's not something that happens every day is it?"

Stephanie, who has been working at the store for six months, says she doesn't expect the prince to come back soon.

"I can't remember serving anyone remotely famous before, there aren't that many famous people in Weymouth."

* DID you capture any footage of Prince William? Email us at newsdesk@dorsetecho.co.uk