LEESBURG — Imagine their surprise recently when Carl and Diann Cruickshank opened the door to their bed and breakfast, The Secret, and realized they were being greeted by royalty.

Standing at their door were Mike and Janet Battle, from London, and their most unusual traveling companions, a cardboard cutout of Prince William and Kate Middleton.

The Battles reside in England but recently purchased a home in North Port, Fla. They plan to vacation in the United States about three months every year. Mike said he and Janet decided to begin their American adventure by discovering Alabama, and the Cruickshanks were delighted they chose The Secret as a destination.

Mike said they were initially intrigued by the beautiful pictures of the northeast Alabama mountains on The Secret's website.

“We have been so impressed with the diversity of natural beauty in this area,” he said. “The people in the county are so friendly, too.”

Janet said the Battles have enjoyed traveling with Prince William and Kate and sharing pictures with Americans.

“I am amazed at the interest in the royal wedding,” she said.

During the 16 years the Cruickshanks have been in business, they have met many interesting guests.

“We can't brag about who stays with us,” Diann said. “Privacy is a huge part of what we provide for our guests. They know that we 'keep secrets' so we have been very blessed with return business.”

Diann said one of the funniest things about playing host to famous people is how often they actually go unnoticed when they visit local businesses.

“We have famous guests eat in our local restaurant and no one recognizes them,” Diann said. “Ironically, that is exactly what our guests want, to escape.”

Diann said she and her husband have often laughed about the fact that waitresses and average people walking through Walmart must have thought to themselves, 'He or she looks just like so-in-so.'

“Little did they know, it was,” Diann said.

This time, of course, the Cruickshanks really did have real guests from England. And this time, they did have a British accent, and they delighted the other guests at the breakfast table with their delightful personalities.

But, this time, their “royal” companions said nothing. Maybe next time.