Princess Kate makes surprise appearance at Chelsea Flower Show in historic royal engagement

Ten schools from the Royal Horticultural Society’s (RHS) Campaign for School Gardening were invited to bring pupils along to the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, marking the first time in the event’s 110-year history that a Children’s Picnic has taken place.

The Princess of Wales enjoyed a picnic at the site’s bandstand with the schoolchildren.

Following the refreshments, Kate joined the pupils on a visit to three of this year’s Show Gardens.

The royal also took part in activities including a bug hunt, planning a home-grown meal and discovering how gardens can support well-being.

Kate has long championed the benefits to young people of spending time outdoors.

In 2019, the Princess of Wales launched her Back To Nature gardens in partnership with the RHS and landscape architects Davies White.

The gardens aim to highlight how time spent outdoors can enrich a child’s early development.

Highlights at the 2023 RHS Chelsea Flower Show include 12 Show Gardens and over 70 nurseries in the Great Pavilion.

Last week, Princess Kate has shared a very personal insight into joining the Royal Family.

The Princess of Wales spoke about the path she followed to end up as part of the monarchy.

Kate told an audience at a school in Bristol that she never expected to become a member of the Royal Family.

Asked if she had always wanted to be a royal, the Princess of Wales replied it was something she had not expected, but that she "fell in love" with Prince William.

Dame Kelly, who joined Kate at the school, said when the schoolgirls quizzed the Princess about being a royal, she explained it was something "she had to learn".