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The Duchess of Cambridge has revealed how her children helped provide some of the inspiration for her new garden – and much needed pine cones for a treasure hunt.
Kate, 37, invited youngsters from four charities to join her for fun activities including an insect spotting walk and a picnic as her garden re-opened at the Royal Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival, which is double the size of the original, following a successful stint at the Chelsea Flower Show.
And Prince George’s request for some stepping stones over a mini pool fed by a waterfall proved a hit with the youngsters, while Princess Charlotte helped her mother collect pine cones used for the treasure hunt.
While the royal dressed down for previous visits to her garden, she was at her polished best today, donning a £260 midi dress from Sandro, a favourite pair beige wedge heels and earrings by high street store Accessorize.
She appeared in excellent spirits as she arrived at the garden, waving to well-wishers and shaking hands with officials before she made her way inside.
Back to nature! The Duchess of Cambridge took one little girl’s hand as they explored her garden at Hampton Court Palace this afternoon. The royal’s garden has re-opened on a new site following a successful stint at the Chelsea Flower Show
Give us a wave! The Duchess of Cambridge appeared in excellent spirits and waved to well-wishers as she arrived at the garden. She also crouched down to speak to one little girl, right, dressed in a pretty pink dress
Helping hand: The Duchess of Cambridge spent time insect spotting with some of the children, pictured, shortly after arriving at Hampton Court today
Sharing stories: The Duchess knelt down to speak to two boys, left. And carried around a handy gardening book for reference
Kate, 37, invited youngsters from a number of charities to join her for a treasure hunt and a picnic as the garden re-opens at the Royal Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival, following a successful stint at the Chelsea Flower Show
In her element: The Duchess of Cambridge beamed as she spoke to youngsters about her garden today, left and right
Young fans! The Duchess of Cambridge delighted two little girls by bending down to speak to them during the garden visit
At one point, Kate confided in a shy Khareesha James, eight, taking her into a fabric-covered den in the garden for a private chat – and told her she likes to hide in them when she is feeling shy.
Speaking afterwards, Khareesha said: ‘I am shy and she said that’s where she goes when she’s shy – in the tent.’
After her garden tours with the children, Kate told Jake Catling, director of the Landscaping Consultants – a bespoke garden construction business which built the garden:
‘I loved it. So many of them loved hopping over the stone and that’s so nice to see.’
Mr Catling said after speaking to the duchess: ‘This was just a field and we brought in 18 articulated lorries worth of stuff in and we had a team of up to 20 people to build it.’
He added that Kate had requested the path across the water feature for George: ‘We made the stepping stones because Prince George wanted them. The kids loved jumping across it and it was down to Kate we got that in.’
During the visit, the Duchess of Cambridge appeared particularly charmed by one little girl, who looked to be roughly Princess Charlotte’s age.
Kate beamed as she crouched down to speak to the girl. She later took the girl’s hand as they led a stroll around the space.
Take a closer look! Kate knelt down alongside the excited children as they all enjoyed a visit to the nature garden
Sweet gesture: The Duchess of Cambridge was handed a small pot plant as she left Hampton Court Palace this afternoon
A sweet gift! As a little girl handed Kate a flower pot, the mother-of-three looked delighted and gently touched her shoulder
Catching her eye: The Duchess of Cambridge appeared particularly taken with one little girl wearing a pink dress, pictured
Time for a chat: Kate, who is a mother of three, looked happy to speak to the little girl and other youngsters at the appearance
Discovering nature: The royal spoke to the children before they were invited to spend time further exploring the garden
The children looked amazed after Kate pointed to one of the bugs she spotted in the new garden, which was inspired by Prince George and Princess Charlotte
Kate and the little girl in the pink dress went for an adventure and stood together on one of the garden’s big rocks, by the pond
Kate looked delighted to follow the little girl, for whom she seemed to have taken a particular liking as the children visited the garden today
A close inspection! Carrying a small magnifying glass, the Duchess appeared to be having a blast as she looked for bugs with the children, left and right
Learning on the go: Kate appeared to be flicking through a book on garden wildlife during the appearance today
The perfect playdate: Kate enjoyed the children’s company, laughing at their jokes, left, and taking the time to show them care and attention, right
Gorgeous in green: The Duchess bent down so she was the same level as the children, before engaging in conversation
All smiles: With her hair tucked behind her ears, Kate looked the picture of perfection as she flashed a grin for the camera
The duchess visited the site near Kingston in south-west London last Tuesday to help with the planting, and Mr Catling said she had been a useful member of the team.
‘She was very hands on, it was fantastic,’ he explained. ‘She came and did lots of planting and directing everyone around and got involved in the mulching.’
The duchess has a longstanding interest in the early years development of children, and believes spending time outdoors plays a pivotal role in the future health and happiness of youngsters.
The stepping stones proved a little taxing for Daniel Naghi, 10, who said: ‘I slipped and fell and it started bleeding. One of the teachers came and gave me a plaster and I went straight back into the garden I loved it.’
‘The duchess who came to see us was really nice and I think she helped make the garden. She asked me about snails but I didn’t see any but loved the treasure hunt and think the garden is pretty good.’
His schoolmate Kane Dare, aged nine, explained the duchess told him about an unusual visitor to the garden: ‘Kate said there were foxes in the garden which had left half eaten sandwiches.’
Jumping for joy! One child gleefully raised his arms in the air as the Duchess and his fellow pupils watched on
Exploring: A little girl held a magnifying glass as she got a better look at some of the bugs in Kate’s Back To Nature Garden
Beaming Kate look chuffed with her tiny plant pot, which was kindly gifted to her by one of the children during her visit
Family fun: Kate joined schoolboys for a walk around the garden, which is designed to encourage children to get outdoors
Putting her best foot forward: Despite spending time in the garden (left), Kate still opted for heeled wedges for the outing
Look at that! Kate helped visiting children identify some of the wildlife that calls her royal garden home
Passion project: The Duchess of Cambridge paid a number of visits to the garden’s first location and is ensuring the same attention is paid now that its in its new home of Hampton Court Palace.
They’re going on an insect hunt! The Duchess of Cambridge was joined by schoolchildren as they explored the garden
Before she left the royal was handed a small potted succulent by a little girl visiting Hampton Court Palace. The small act of kindness put a smile on Kate’s face.
The children were invited from four of Kate’s patronages: the Anna Freud Centre, Evelina Children’s Hospital, Action for Children and Place2Be.
They had the opportunity to explore the garden and experience the positive effects of spending time outside.
The garden has once again been created through a collaboration between Her Royal Highness, landscape architects Davies White and the RHS.
Features like the hollow log and rustic dens returned from Chelsea, in addition to a new hidden burrow, rolling hill and stream.
Reunited: The Duchess in deep conversation with Back To Nature Garden co-designers Andree Davies and Adam White, pictured
Royal vision: Kate was on hand to tell visitors more about her mission to bring children out into nature and looked very animated
At one with nature! The Duchess struck the right note in an elegant green patterned midi dress as she treated youngsters to a tour of her re-opened garden at Hampton Court Palace
Pretty as a petal: The Duchess left with a plant after visiting The Back To Nature Garden during the press day of the RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival in London on Monday
Book of knowledge: Green-fingered Kate could be seen clutching a laminated book about various garden flowers
The Duchess of Cambridge looked delighted as she visited her ‘Back to Nature Garden’ that she co designed with landscape architects Andree Davies and Adam White, at Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival
Green fingers! The Duchess was seen carrying a small succulent plant as she waved goodbye to youngsters after an afternoon of treasure hunting in her nature garden
Kate kept a happy demeanour all day and talked with some of the garden’s workers too as they gathered magnifying glass and other props
Thousands more families will be able to enjoy the garden, in addition to over 19,500 visitors who saw it at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show.
The design has the same wild and natural feel but has been developed further in order to create additional opportunities for children and families to interact with nature.
There is a pond to paddle in, a bug hotel that provides habitats for all sorts of wildlife, as well as a bee-friendly wildflower meadow.
As part of her longstanding work on Early Years, The Duchess believes that spending time outdoors plays a pivotal role in children’s future health and happiness.
Her garden highlights how time spent in natural environments can help build the foundations for positive physical and mental wellbeing that last through childhood and over a lifetime.
Wilderness retreat: The waterfall and pond in the royal’s garden are designed to get children splashing around in the water
Playing outdoors: The rustic dens, left, and log hollows, right, return from Chelsea but the garden is twice the size
Save the bees! There is a pond to paddle in, a bug hotel, as well as a bee-friendly wildflower meadow, pictured
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