Duchess mucks in at woodland camp as children get taste of great outdoors

Kate visited the Expanding Horizons Primary School Scheme at Widehorizons’ Margaret McMillan House in Wrotham, Kent, today to meet children from ARK’s King Solomon Academy Primary in London.

The Duchess, who was well equipped for the visit with a pair of green Burberry wellies, spent time with children from Year 4. For most of the children, who are aged eight and nine, it was their first time to the countryside.

Kate, who also wore blue Zara jeans, a green Burberry blouse, green Zara jumper and a Really Wild green leather waistcoat, was accompanied on her visit to the woods by Vanessa Willms, headteacher of King Solomon Academy Primary, and assistant headteacher Lizzy Williams, who brought the children on the camping trip on Friday morning.

Looking relaxed and happy, Kate chatted to Zahid Shanvere, eight, and Faith Kalala, nine, who showed her the teepees where they had all slept on Saturday.

Kate asked whether the children had been scared that a spider might come into the teepee but Zahid said that he was more worried that a mole might have made its way inside.

When showing the Duchess into the teepee, he said: “Ladies first.”

To which Kate replied: “Such a gentleman. Thank you.”

After chatting with the children inside the teepee for several minutes, Kate emerged and said: “Thank you very much for showing me your bedroom.”

Zahid and Faith then walked the Duchess into the woods, where all the other children were building tents out of bits of wood and tarpaulin and learning survival skills.

She joined them at a campfire making dough sticks.

After thanking the children for having her, the Duchess walked with them to the barn where they enjoyed lunch before the she left the centre.