'KATE'S A BORN TEACHER'

THE PRINCESS OF WALES CONTINUES HER MISSION TO ENRICH THE LIVES OF CHILDREN ON A PICNIC AT CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW AND WITH CARERS IN CAMDEN

- REBECCA RUSSELL

The Princess of Wales has become a leading voice in the field of early years development and has launched a series of important projects, including the Big 5 Questions survey and Shaping Us – an awareness campaign dedicated to spotlighting the importance of early childhood. These passions were on full display last week when Kate, 41, took part in several engagements linked to this research.

Making a surprise visit to the Chelsea Flower Show last Monday for a children’s picnic with local primary school pupils, Kate took part in an insect hunt, helped to plan a home-grown meal and discussed how gardens and spending time outdoors supports our mental wellbeing.

Making the historic show more accessible for younger generations is a direction royal expert Jennie Bond feels is important. Speaking exclusively to OK!, she says, “It’s all rather grown up at Chelsea, so a children’s picnic is great because they’re sitting in one of those fantastically sculpted gardens learning about horticulture.”

Jennie, who used to host the annual show, adds, “It ties in perfectly with Kate’s early learning campaign. When you saw the children’s interviews on TV, they all focused on what she’d told them about the bugs, nature and the value of gardens.