Marshmallows, Archery, a JCB & 'Lou Bug': It's a Family Affair for the Big Help Out

Fresh from a dazzling star-studded concert at Windsor last night (in case you missed it, and trust me it's more than worth a watch, it's still available on YouTube here), it was a family affair for the Waleses as they took a short drive from Windsor to Slough to participate in the Big Help Out.

Now, an interesting fact for royal watchers: whilst Prince Louis, at just five-year-old, has been the star at some pretty heavy-duty royal events, today marks his first appearance at an "official engagement". For the youngest Wales child, it was going to be pretty special, so when I saw photos of him with William in a JCB, I thought...yes, that's about right :)

The family volunteered at a Scout Hut helping Upton scouts renovate and improve a building.

Kensington Palace said: "The Prince and Princess joined volunteers in renovating the Scout Hut, with works including resetting a path, digging a new soakaway, sanding and revarnishing the front door, adding planters to the front of the building and adding a mural to create a lasting legacy of the Big Help Out’s work."

A spokesperson added: "The 3rd Upton Scouts Hut was built in 1982 and is used by a variety of community groups in the area, including the local mosque, a senior citizens contact group for members of the Asian community and the Scout group themselves. The building is also used by ‘Slough All Nations,’ a group with heritage spanning across St. Kitts & Nevis, and which provides recreation and leisure activities to improve health and wellbeing and promote community cohesion."

A very sweet photo of the Wales children.

Just two heirs to the throne in a JCB...nothing to see here :)

In September 2020, it was announced Kate had become joint president of the Scouts with the Duke of Kent. At the time Kate said: "For many children and young people, the Scout Association plays a key role as they build relationships and develop the skills they need to succeed in later life. When I volunteered with the Scouts on Anglesey eight years ago, I was struck by the huge impact the organisation has on inspiring young people to support their communities and achieve their goals. I am delighted to be joining the Duke of Kent as Joint President of the Association and look forward to working with Scouts across the country as they strive to make a positive difference to our society."

People shared behind-the-scenes info:

'Anne Edwards, an adult Scout helper, was in charge of the plants — and said, "Kate came straight over. She is interested in plants and asked me where they came from."

Edwards adds that the Princess of Wales "was taking interest in what we were doing, but she was keeping an eye on the children, especially Louis. They are a lovely, very natural family, very easy to talk to. You don't feel as they're royal — there's no bowing, we were just chatting to them."

Princess Charlotte proved herself more than adept at archery. Like mother, like daughter.

People reports:

'When it came to the archery, Hyde says Princess Charlotte "hit the bullseye!"

"Both George and Louis were pretty keen shots as well, and the Princess is a pretty experienced archer as well by the look of it," he continues. "It was lovely they had such a great time with people in Scouts as well — it's what we do. We help other people, we have fun and learn skills."

When the time came to roast marshmallows, Louis was very eager to help out.

Louis got smoke in his eyes as he toasted marshmallows before saying: “I like mine just like this.” #coronation pic.twitter.com/cA0aJEc0ix

— Victoria Ward (@victoria_ward) May 8, 2023

Louis let Kate know he would like more -- sharpish :)

Think he likes them! Louis impatiently wrestles his mother for more marshmallows then yomps about in delight. The sugar high 😆 #coronation #bighelpout pic.twitter.com/jMWODMF05H

— Victoria Ward (@victoria_ward) May 8, 2023

A seventeen-minute video from Sky News.

Hello! revealed a very sweet nugget from the engagement: "At one point, Princess Kate joined a group of children, including her own, to toast marshmallows over an open flame. As the royal mum-of-three helped Prince Louis with the fun task, handing him a stick to discard, she could be heard saying: 'Pop that in the fire, Lou Bug.'"

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You can hear the nickname in the video below.

“Lou - Bugs” 🥺

Charlotte lost a piece of her 🍪, just picked it up and ate it 😄

🎥 Hello Magazine pic.twitter.com/5cLUckIMgL

— ChristinZ (@ChristinsQueens) May 8, 2023

The Princess getting to work.

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More from the Mail:

'As the Princess of Wales left she stopped to talk to local resident Donna Robinson who was standing by a barricade with her seven year old daughter Ciara.

The Princess, casually dressed in a blue top and dark coloured trousers, held on to Louis’s hand as she stopped to say hello and asked Donna how old her daughter was.

Donna said:’ She asked what year Ciara was and was lovely.'

Helping out in your local town or village is a very fitting way to mark the extra bank holiday.

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Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said: 'The Big Help Out is not only a chance for everyone to come together to mark His Majesty’s Coronation, it’s also a reminder of how each and every one of us can help make a change for the better. It is this community spirit that binds us and makes us stronger as a country, and I hope that as part of the legacy of this historic moment of national unity, people will be inspired for years to volunteer, to help out and to make a difference to others around them."

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The BBC notes: "Buckingham Palace wants to create 'a lasting volunteering legacy'. Tens of thousands of charities are taking part, with a total of 30,000 organisations putting on 55,000 events across the UK."

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Meanwhile, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh supported one of Sophie's patronages -- Guide Dogs for the Blind Association.

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The couple participated in a puppy class at the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association Training Centre at Burghfield Common, Reading.

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The Princess Royal and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence attended a County Civic Service recognising local volunteers at Gloucester Cathedral.

For the Berkshire-based engagement, the Princess chose a shirt by a brand based in the area and one she's worn since her pre-engagement days -- Really Wild Clothing.

The Princess wore Really Wild's Liberty Denim Shirt with Frill Neck. The piece was described as: "Crafted from a soft mid-blue pure silk chambray with a feminine frill on the collar, this is a flattering shirt, endlessly amenable to pairing with so many outfits, from jeans and trousers to smart skirts and suits." Click here to find a selection of new and similar style shirts by the brand.

Kate wore her G-Star skinny cargo pants in raven.

The Princess wore her Blundstone ankle boots in 'stout brown'. They are available in limited sizing at Zappos.

Kate completed the look with her Daniella Draper Cupid hoops.

I'm feeling very confident we're going to get those official coronation portraits tonight!