Pippa Middleton mania has officially overtaken Sydney.
Just hours after touching down in the harbour-side city for an unexpected visit on their globe-trotting honeymoon, newlyweds Pippa Middleton, 33, and James Matthews, 41, hopped on a sea plane from Rose Bay and jetted to the Cottage Point Inn for a long lunch with friends.
The rock-star mode of transport seems rather fitting considering they had a royal-worthy flypast from a World War Two Spitfire plane at their wedding reception.
No jet-lag to see here!
The couple headed to lunch in a sea plane.
How happy do they look?
The Cottage Point Inn owner told NTL Pippa and James were “down to earth.”
The group dined on a seven-course degustation and were at the venue for three hours.
Described as a “waterfront hideaway” and nestled in the bushes of Cottage Point in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, the secluded restaurant served as the perfect private setting for the high-profile couple.
Ally Oleson, who owns the A-list hot spot, served the new Mr and Mrs Matthews on Tuesday and told Now To Love exclusively that they were “down to earth and lovely.”
“Pippa ordered the duck and kangaroo tartare, which was made by our head chef Kevin Solomon,” Ally explained to us.
The jet-setting duo surprised everyone by landing in Sydney on Tuesday.
Pippa had no qualms navigating the stairs of the plane in heels.
The Duchess of Cambridge’s younger sister looked stunning a striped Kate Spade dress and black espadrilles.
She’s so normal…
She even closes her own blinds!
The raw kangaroo dish costs $34 while the duck breast main is $48.
“They seemed to enjoy everything and they only just left! It was a long-lunch with friends, it’s the kind of place where you sit down for a few hours.”
“Considering their background, they were very down to earth. Pippa was so friendly and nice to staff,” she added.
In fact, the restaurateur couldn’t quite believe how low-key and fuss-free their VIP diners were.
“They seemed so normal – people with this pedigree, you just forget they’re normal!”
“We didn’t even know they were coming. They just turned up, even the sea plane company weren’t aware [they’d be using their services.]”
Pippa ordered the duck and kangaroo tartare.
Ally Oleson, who owns the A-list hot spot, said the group were extremely lovely to staff.
“They seemed to enjoy everything and they only just left! It was a long-lunch with friends.”
Sadly, the one thing that was off-limits were selfies.
“I wanted to get a photo and I wasn’t allowed. They didn’t have security with them but there were paps on boats,” Ally revealed to us.
According to the manager the pair, who wed in a lavish ceremony at St Marks’s Church in Englefield on May 20, looked seriously loved-up as they scoffed down their extravagant meal and chatted to pals.
The group were at the venue for three hours.
James kept things casual in a navy jumper and jeans.
“They’re newlyweds and you’re always madly in love when you’re a newlywed! They seem like they have something special. They seemed perfect, actually,” Ally said.
Since getting hitched in front of half of the royal family at the society wedding of the year, Pippa and James have been living the life of luxury on their honeymoon.
Before arriving in Sydney, the duo had been holed up at the eco-friendly resort, The Brando, in French Polynesia.
“They seem like they have something special. They seemed perfect, actually,” Ally told us.
They were joined by a group of friends, including a young baby.
Earlier in the day, they hopped on a water taxi from Circular Quay.
It’s believed they’re staying at the Park Hyatt Hotel in The Rocks during the Sydney leg of their trip.
Pippa and James, whose brother is Made in Chelsea star Spencer Matthews, began dating in January last year following her break-up from Nico Jackson.
The longtime friends, who dated for a short period in 2012, were first linked after looking cosy together on holidays in St. Barts.
Fresh from their society wedding of the year, the duo were beaming.
It’s believed they’re staying at the Park Hyatt Hotel. (Images: Instar Images Australia and Media Mode)
Her engagement to James was confirmed in June, 2016.
“I couldn’t be happier,” Pippa said at the time.
Confirming the happy news, Pippa and James released a statement to the Press Association saying, “Miss Pippa Middleton and Mr. James Matthews are delighted to announce they became engaged on Sunday 17th July and plan to marry next year.”
A Kensington Palace spokesperson for Duchess Catherine and Prince William echoed the sentiment: “The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are absolutely delighted with the news.”
Relive the magic of Pippa and James’ wedding day here!
Introducing Mr and Mrs Matthews! Pippa and James tied the knot on May 20.
The menu for the Cottage Point Inn.
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