AS SHE PREPARES FOR A BUSY SUMMER WITH HER FAMILY THE PRINCESS OF WALES IS OVERJOYED TO MEET SCHOOLCHILDREN AT LONDON'S YOUNG V&A MUSEUM

With group hugs, warm smiles and funny stories, the Princess of Wales did what she does best when she delighted excited schoolchildren during a visit to the Young V&A Museum

- ROSALIND POWELL

It’s only days now until the start of the school holidays, when Kate will have her hands full with her children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, but last week there were plenty of other youngsters demanding her attention. And the mum of three, who was given a tour of the newly revamped venue – formerly known as the V&A Museum of Childhood – in East London’s Bethnal Green was thrilled to be introduced to pupils from nearby Globe Primary School.

Local children, parents and teachers have been involved in the three-year, £13m renovation, contributing ideas for displays in the museum, which houses three new galleries called Play, Imagine and Design, each designed for specific age groups, from babies to teens.

As she was shown around the venue by little helpers, Kate, 41, let the children into a few secrets – including her age. She playfully urged them not to spread it, whispering: “Ssh, don’t tell anyone.”

CHILD’S PLAY 

In the Design area, the Princess stopped to admire a model Tardis from Doctor Who before moving on to study the best collection of historic dolls’ houses in the world. Speaking to Tristram Hunt, director of the V&A, she said: “This is so inspiring, to have a place for children so young to get design inspiration.”

Before that she had looked at the Play gallery, aimed at toddlers, with lots of sensory displays to help the development of language, motor skills and constructive play.