Pregnant Kate Middleton dresses for the elements in London

The Duchess of Cambridge returned to her Sloaney country roots for a green-fingered day of gardening with schoolchildren in London on Wednesday.

The pregnant mother-of-two wrapped up warm in a knitted black turtleneck jumper by Temperley, green Barbour jacket and black jeans as she arrived at the Robin Hood Primary School to celebrate their work with the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Campaign for School Gardening.

Thrifty Kate, who is known for her love of recycling her wardrobe choices, was sporting the same pair of £475 dark mid-length Penelope Chilvers boots that she wore when she first dated William back in 2003.

Country Kate! The pregnant Duchess of Cambridge dressed down in a Barbour jacket and her trusty boots as she arrived for a day of gardening with children in London

The Duchess of Cambridge donned her gardening gloves and joined children as she visited Robin Hood Primary School to celebrate ten years of the Royal Horticultural Society Campaign for School Gardening

The Duchess of Cambridge donned her gardening gloves and joined children as she visited Robin Hood Primary School to celebrate ten years of the Royal Horticultural Society Campaign for School Gardening

The RHS Campaign for School Gardening, now marking ten years, inspires and supports schools to provide children with gardening opportunities to enhance their skills and boost their development. The RHS’s work with schools has shown benefits for children’s physical and mental well-being, and building life skills such as confidence, teamwork and communication.

During the visit, the Duchess was treated to a briefing on the RHS nation-wide campaign and heard about the benefits of learning outside from Robin Hood Primary School. She then joined children in activities in the outdoor learning area and sensory garden and celebrated the 34,000 schools and groups now engaged in gardening through the campaign.

Kate showed off her own considerable interest in gardening with the children – and even visited Bug-ingham Palace, a natural, outdoor home for caterpillars, woodlice, stag beetles and ladybirds. 

Robin Hood Primary School has developed a whole-school, progressive outdoor learning curriculum with support from the RHS. Children have access to a range of outdoor classrooms in the woodland setting including a purpose built Outdoor Learning Area and Sensory Garden. 

This outdoor learning gives children an opportunity to explore, consolidate and develop their knowledge and understanding of the ever-changing natural environment. The activities are created to inspire their curiosity, stimulate their senses and through challenging, yet achievable tasks using various real tools and natural resources, bring learning to life.

Sessions aim to encourage and inspire children to develop their personal, social and emotional skills through participation in tasks and activities that are both challenging and achievable. Helping to develop their emotional intelligence, empathy and communication enables children to manage their emotions effectively. 

Kate, dressed in her trusty country attire, sat on a tree stump as she sat around and chatted to children about their favourite outdoor pursuits 

Kate, dressed in her trusty country attire, sat on a tree stump as she sat around and chatted to children about their favourite outdoor pursuits 

Meanwhile Prince William joined the President of Finland, Sauli Niinisto, at the Presidential Palace in Helsinki, Finland

Meanwhile Prince William joined the President of Finland, Sauli Niinisto, at the Presidential Palace in Helsinki, Finland

Kate proved to be a good sport as she got stuck into a spot of gardening with the local schoolchildren 

Kate proved to be a good sport as she got stuck into a spot of gardening with the local schoolchildren 

Kate certainly had a pregnancy glow about her as she sat around chatting to teachers and schoolchildren on Wednesday 

Kate certainly had a pregnancy glow about her as she sat around chatting to teachers and schoolchildren on Wednesday 

One of the outdoor areas was named 'Bug-ingham Palace' in a nod to the royal who came to visit 

One of the outdoor areas was named ‘Bug-ingham Palace’ in a nod to the royal who came to visit 

Kate, who is a mother-of-two and pregnant with her third child, displayed her maternal side

Kate bonded with the little ones at the local school

Kate, who is a mother-of-two and pregnant with her third child, displayed her maternal side as she bonded with the little ones at the local school 

The pregnant mother-of-two, who showcased her shorter locks, wrapped up warm in a knitted black turtleneck jumper, green Barbour jacket and black jeans as she arrived at the Robin Hood Primary School

The pregnant mother-of-two, who showcased her shorter locks, wrapped up warm in a knitted black turtleneck jumper, green Barbour jacket and black jeans as she arrived at the Robin Hood Primary School

Thrifty Kate was sporting the same pair of £475 dark mid-length Penelope Chilvers boots that she wore when she first dated William back in 2003

Thrifty Kate was sporting the same pair of £475 dark mid-length Penelope Chilvers boots that she wore when she first dated William back in 2003

Kate, 35, was in high spirits as she arrived for a day outdoors

Her visit to the school today comes after she spent yesterday at a museum and art gallery

Kate, 35, was in high spirits as she arrived for a day outdoors. Her visit to the school today comes after she spent yesterday at a museum and art gallery

Kate, who is known for her love of recycling her wardrobe choices, has worn the brown boots on countless occasions 

Kate, who is known for her love of recycling her wardrobe choices, has worn the brown boots on countless occasions 

Kate was there to celebrate their work with the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Campaign for School Gardening

Kate was there to celebrate their work with the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Campaign for School Gardening

The Duchess of Cambridge was welcomed with a Christmassy flower arrangement as she arrived at Robin Hood Primary School in London

The Duchess of Cambridge was welcomed with a Christmassy flower arrangement as she arrived at Robin Hood Primary School in London

A gaggle of school children were eagerly awaiting the arrival of the Duchess of Cambridge and waved flags as she made an appearance at their school

A gaggle of school children were eagerly awaiting the arrival of the Duchess of Cambridge and waved flags as she made an appearance at their school

Kate, who is pregnant with her third child, was in high spirits as she was greeted by the school's headmaster on Wednesday 

Kate, who is pregnant with her third child, was in high spirits as she was greeted by the school’s headmaster on Wednesday 

Just yesterday the Duchess of Cambridge said she’s ‘absolutely thrilled’ for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle as she stepped out in London a day after her brother-in-law’s engagement announcement. 

The pregnant mother-of-two displayed her neat baby bump in a figure-skimming Kate Spade dress, which she offset with burgundy accessories, as she arrived at the Foundling Museum in London.

Discussing Monday’s happy news, the Duchess said: ‘William and I are absolutely thrilled. It’s such exciting news.

‘It’s a really happy time for any couple and we wish them all the best and hope they enjoy this happy moment.’

Her appearance comes just hours after Meghan Markle hailed her ‘wonderful’.  Miss Markle said the Duchess of Cambridge had been ‘wonderful’ to her, while Harry said both William and Kate had been ‘amazing’.

The Duchess of Cambridge displayed her neat baby bump in a Kate Spade dress as she stepped out at an art gallery in London just hours after Meghan Markle hailed her  'amazing'

The Duchess of Cambridge displayed her neat baby bump in a Kate Spade dress as she stepped out at an art gallery in London just hours after Meghan Markle hailed her ‘amazing’

Kate was in high spirits as she joined in with some arts and crafts  during a visit to the Foundling Museum in London

Kate was in high spirits as she joined in with some arts and crafts during a visit to the Foundling Museum in London

Harry talked about how he kept the relationship secret before introducing Miss Markle to his brother and sister-in-law. ‘It was exciting, I mean I’ve – you know, I’d been seeing her for a period of time when I literally didn’t tell anybody at all. 

‘And then William was longing to meet her and so was Catherine, so you know, being our neighbours, we managed to get that in a couple of, well, quite a few times now, and Catherine has been absolutely amazing, as has William as well, you know, fantastic support.’ 

‘The family together have been absolutely, you know, a solid support, and my grandparents as well have been, have been wonderful throughout this whole process, and they’ve known for quite some time,’ he said.

The Duchess of Cambridge was today at the Foundling Hospital, the UK’s first children’s charity and first public art gallery where she learned more about the museum’s history and the way it continues to focus on its founding principles to use art and creativity as a means to support and engage children and vulnerable families.

During her visit, Kate received a briefing on the history of the hospital and how the museum continues to engage vulnerable and marginalised young people. 

The 35-year-old met families and children who have benefited from the museum’s education and outreach programmes, including pre-school children from a local nursery who regularly visit the museum and young care leavers who are being trained to run their own creative workshops.

The Duchess is expecting her third child in the spring and showed off her neat figure in a printed pleat dress

The Duchess is expecting her third child in the spring and showed off her neat figure in a printed pleat dress

Kate looked radiant as she arrived at the Foundling Museum in London, which explores the history of the Foundling Hospital, the UK's first children's charity and first public art gallery

The Duchess was all smiles as she arrived on a chilly Tuesday morning

Kate looked radiant as she arrived at the Foundling Museum in London, which explores the history of the Foundling Hospital, the UK’s first children’s charity and first public art gallery

Kate proved she was a good sport as she got stuck into an arts and craft session at the museum with two youngsters 

Kate proved she was a good sport as she got stuck into an arts and craft session at the museum with two youngsters 

Kate spoke out about how happy she and William were for Prince Harry

The Duchess was jubilant during her trip to the museum

Kate, who spoke out about how happy she and William were for Prince Harry, was jubilant during her trip to the museum 

The Duchess of Cambridge, who is expecting her third child in the spring, helped the little ones with their crafts

The Duchess of Cambridge, who is expecting her third child in the spring, helped the little ones with their crafts

Meghan Markle said 'yes' immediately to Prince Harry after he proposed on one knee while they were cooking dinner, the couple said today in their first joint interview. She also spoke of how amazing Kate and William had been with her

Meghan Markle said ‘yes’ immediately to Prince Harry after he proposed on one knee while they were cooking dinner, the couple said today in their first joint interview. She also spoke of how amazing Kate and William had been with her

Her visit came after Harry, 33, and Miss Markle, 36, appeared at a photocall at Kensington Palace in London on Monday.

Fifth in line to the throne Harry has been dating the American actress – who found fame in the US legal drama Suits – since the summer of last year.

Their 16-month whirlwind romance blossomed when they met through mutual friends in London, and the pair have been almost inseparable in recent months.

The couple will live together in Harry’s current home, Nottingham Cottage at Kensington Palace, and Miss Markle will become an HRH and a senior royal.

She is expected to become a duchess – just like Kate Middleton did when she became the Duchess of Cambridge after saying her vows in 2011.

Miss Markle will most probably become HRH the Duchess of Sussex, if Harry is made the Duke of Sussex by the Queen on the morning of his wedding.

The pair were secretly engaged earlier this month, and Harry took Miss Markle to meet his grandmother the Queen for tea at Buckingham Palace in October.

Their 16-month whirlwind romance blossomed when they met through mutual friends and Meghan said the Duchess had been 'wonderful' to her

Their 16-month whirlwind romance blossomed when they met through mutual friends and Meghan said the Duchess had been ‘wonderful’ to her

The royal looked nervous but happy and his fiancee stroked his arm lovingly as they spoke to reporters

Reporters asked him: 'When did you know she was the one?' and he replied: 'From the very first time we met'

The royal looked nervous but happy and his fiancee stroked his arm lovingly as they spoke to reporters, who asked him: ‘When did you know she was the one?’ and he replied: ‘From the very first time we met’

 

 



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