The Princess Hosts RHS Chelsea Flower Show Picnic for Schoolchildren

The Princess of Wales made a surprise appearance at the Royal Horticultural Society's Chelsea Flower Show preview day to host a special picnic for schoolchildren and encourage budding interests in gardening and the outdoors.

Last week, it was confirmed the King, the Queen, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, and Prince and Princess Michael of Kent would attend today, ahead of the official opening tomorrow. So, it was an unexpected and welcome surprise to see Kate in action. Currently, Kensington Palace are releasing details of some engagements in advance, with quite a few remaining under embargo.

The Princess was joined by children from a number of schools participating in the RHS Campaign for Schools Gardening.

Kate was asked about the work the royal family do during a chat with the children. Hello! reports:

'The children discussed vegetables and herbs and the Princess told them: "There's a plant that smells like chocolate. I remember my granny showing me that when I was little. It has very dark leaves and you rub it and it smells like chocolate."

Told the pupils were growing sunflowers at school, she said: "They get so big, don’t they?" revealing: "Louis is growing broad beans at school. You put them in a cup and you can see them roots growing. They get big quickly like sunflowers."

Meanwhile one of the pupils asked her about being a member of the royal family. She replied: "You have to work hard, but you know the best thing about it is meeting kiddies like you."

Pressed on what the royal family does, she said: "They help support all the different people in the country, showcase all the amazing work being done and look after everyone."

One curious child asked if she made the law, but she told her: "The Prime Minister makes the laws."

The campaign has one core mission: to give children and young people the opportunity to grow and connect with nature. By partnering with schools, educators and youth group leaders, their aim is for as many children as possible to enjoy nature whilst learning about caring for plants. To encourage participation, a range of awards can be achieved.

It is not terribly dissimilar to the Duke of Edinburgh Award, which Kate earned as a student at Marlborough College, later describing the outdoors experience as "one of the most memorable". The new Duke of Edinburgh now continues his father's legacy with aplomb, and I've long thought something connected to nature or sport in a similar vein would be absolutely ideal for Kate in her new role.

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So it was fantastic to read, Kate's efforts with 'Back to Nature' inspired the blossoming picnic initiative following a conversation Kate had with the RHS in 2019.

Readers will remember Kate's 'Back to Nature' garden stole the show at RHS Chelsea four years ago. It was subsequently revealed the impact resulted in a record year for RHS membership, with over 12,000 committed to charitable work and increasing their own gardening efforts. The collaboration between Kate and the RHS was described as "wonderful" by RHS Director General Sue Biggs. It's splendid to see the relationship continuing to grow and bear fruit.

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Below, Kate introducing the garden to Her late Majesty. Queen Elizabeth II cherished the annual show, missing it only a handful of times during her reign.

The group enjoying lunch.

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Whilst chatting about nature Kate revealed her favourite colour is green.

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People reports:

'At one point, a little boy from Alex Reed Academy raised his hand — just like the classroom! — to ask Kate a question. "They've all been so polite," a teacher says.

Ten-year-old Romasia told reporters that she and the Princess of Wales connected over the joys of growing fruits and vegetables. "We spoke about how fascinating it is to see how food grows. We talked about strawberries and how it takes time for them to grow and how rewarding it is to eat them then," the student says'.

After lunch, under a large Chestnut tree, Kate spent time at the Samaritans Listening Garden -- created as a safe space for people to share their struggles. It features oak seats for visitors to sit down and reflect.

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The garden was commissioned to mark the 70th anniversary of the Samaritans.

More from the Samaritans on the creation:

'The Samaritans’ Listening Garden will depict the challenging journey many people take when they reach out to Samaritans and the comfort and sanctuary they find when speaking to a listening volunteer. Designed to conjure up a wide range of emotions, the garden will be a representation of fear, anxiety and helplessness juxtaposed with relief, support and hope.

At the entrance to the garden, huge curtains of reinforced concrete, supported by thin cables will hover above the delicate foliage of the plants below. Towering above this will be the giant, architectural form of Aralia chapaensis making the entrance to the garden feel brutal and foreboding.

The pathway into the garden will appear cracked with deep fissures leading down into the darkness, where the sound of gushing water can be heard. Beyond this, the garden will open out into a welcoming sanctuary as you walk down into a sunken area where a sculptural Oak bench sits under the canopy of a stunning small-leaved Elm, providing a space that will encourage visitors to talk, be heard and gain perspective on their struggles.

Looking back at the garden at this point, the path trodden can be viewed from a different perspective and some of the obstacles that seemed overwhelming as you entered the garden, will now appear exquisitely crafted, even beautiful as you look at them from behind.'

Coming on the heels of Mental Health Awareness Week, it is a timely reminder of the invaluable service Samaritans provide. They are always just a call away.

A look behind the scenes at the immense work undertaken to create the garden.

Kate met another group of youngsters at the Royal Entomological Garden.

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Designed by Tom Massey, the outdoor laboratory built into a hillside was designed to offer visitors an 'insect's eye view'. The lab’s roof structure is inspired by a compound insect eye and the lab is used for real scientific research, monitoring and studying insects visiting the garden.

This certainly packs quite the visual punch, doesn't it?

The RHS notes: "A dead tree ‘sculpture’, cut into rings and elevated on steel poles, ‘floats’ over biodiverse planting and a standing dead tree and tree stump provide further sculptural habitat. Planting for pollinators and a wide range of other beneficial insects forms a beautiful and resilient scheme that will provide year-round food, habitats and interest."

Finally, Kate visited Mark Gregory's Savills Garden.

Inspired by the experience of stepping into a country hotel, it offers a visually pleasing combination of ornamental and edible planting.

At its heart; a working kitchen where guests can enjoy ingredients in a 'plot-to-plate' experience. Using "environmentally sensitive" landscape materials such as reclaimed brick and tile, the result is a feast for the senses, with a firm nod to sustainability.

Kate ran into a delightful group of Chelsea Pensioners.

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Back to Hello!'s fantastic story:

'There was laughter as the Princess interrupted a group of Chelsea pensioners who were enjoying a starter of chargrilled peas with herbs made by chefs in the walled kitchen garden. When she asked what was on the menu, gallant diner Harry Puttick, 94, formerly of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers told her: "The peas are forgettable – you are not."

With the chef nearby he joked afterwards: "I'd better say the peas were wonderful but it was fantastic to meet the future Queen."

Continuing efforts in support of young people, we're seeing government involvement, too. I was interested to read the Department of Education has begun the National Education Nature Park Pilot scheme.

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More from the RHS:

'In May 2023, students visited RHS Garden Bridgewater in Greater Manchester on Outdoor Classroom Day to take part in innovative engagement activities designed develop children's connection with and understanding of nature. In addition, 40 education settings in the North West and West Midlands continue to test programme materials in their school environments.

The children's feedback within this pilot phase will shape the UK Government funded National Education Nature Park programme, which aims to create a national network of outdoor spaces in nurseries, schools and colleges across England. The hope is to empower young people to make a positive difference to both their and nature’s future.

All education settings in England will be able to sign up to become part of the National Education Nature Park later this year and can work towards Climate Action Awards via a new online platform. They will also be able to access free resources and track biodiversity gains in their areas.'

Kate appeared to have a wonderful time exploring the gardens.

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The RHS shared some lovely content over the weekend to mark World Bee Day. It is no coincidence, I suspect, that Kensington Palace chose this year to share a photo of Kate at Anmer Hall from last summer, properly decked out in a beekeeper's suit to mark the occasion. It was taken by Matt Porteous, a very talented photographer cementing his place as the Waleses' family photographer.

The Princess was pretty in pink for the day.

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Kate chose Me + Em's Colour Block Silk Shirt dress in bubble-gum pink today. The piece features a removable belt, pleated front and dipped hem.

Kate debuted the dress in 2021 during a visit to Scotland when she promised a darling little girl named Mila she would wear a pink princess dress :)

Kate wore almond-toe Castaner wedges in camel.

And completed the look with her Catherine Zoraida Fern earrings.

Another look.

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A lovely engagement and a wonderful start to RHS Chelsea!