The Princess of Wales beamed as she enjoyed playing around with woods with children – and received a very sweet gift from a little girl.
Kate Middleton, 43, who joined her husband on a nature outing on the Isle of Mull this morning, was a hit with young school kids who frolicked around a community forest with the royal couple on Wednesday.
The pair – known as Lord and Lady of the Isles in the region – travelled into the Ardura Community Forest to meet the Mull and Iona Ranger Service to learn more about the importance of protecting and championing the natural environment.
The mother-of-three has spoken about spending more time in nature after revealing she was treated after a cancer diagnosis, and is a known advocate of ‘forest bathing’. having designed a garden at the 2019 Chelsea Flower Show based on the concept.
Speaking about the garden, she said: ‘This is a natural, creative place for them [my children] to play.
‘I really hope this woodland that we have created here really inspires families and kids and communities in general to get outside, enjoy nature, enjoy the outdoors and really spend quality time together.’
She added: ‘There’s an amazing fact that I learned recently that 90 per cent of our adult brains are developed before the age of five and what a child experiences in these really early years directly affects how their brain develops.
‘That’s why I think it’s so important that all of us, whether we are parents or carers or family members, really engage in quality time with our children and babies from a really young age.’
Countryside Rangers on the Isles play a vital role in conservation, biodiversity protection, visitor management and education on the islands, and regularly partner with primary schools in the area.
The Princess of Wales beamed as she enjoyed playing around with woods with children – and received a very sweet gift from a little girl
Kate Middleton, 43, who joined her husband on a nature outing on the Isle of Mull this morning, was a hit with young school kids who frolicked around a community forest with the royal couple on Wednesday
The pair – known as Lord and Lady of the Isles in the region – travelled into the Ardura Community Forest
Kate swooned over adorable children who joined on the nature outing – basking in the sun – this afternoon
She waved at one child who looked at her through paper binoculars during the walk this afternoon
The Princess curiously examined some paper binoculars as she held onto a bouquet of flowers gifted to her
The Princess graciously examined some sticks as she was greeted by adoring children at the forest
Kate crouched down to speak to kids and their parents during the sunny outing at the community forest
William, 42, and Kate, 43 – known as Lord and Lady of the Isles in the region – travelled into the Ardura Community Forest to meet the Mull and Iona Ranger Service to learn more about the importance of protecting and championing the natural environment
Indeed, the couple were in high spirits as they joined the Ardura Acorns – a local group – as they took part in outdoor learning at the ancient forest, which is home to a rich and diverse array of birds, mammals and plants.
It’s just one of the only early-years outdoor learning play groups on the island and undertakes seasonal, outdoor play and learning with 0-5-year-olds and their carers. Activities are focusing on nature and wildlife, such as following nature trails, den building, animal tracking and storytelling.
Kate sported a dusky grey Ralph Lauren blazer, which retails in olive green on the website for £2,200 – and is made from a ‘blend of mulberry silk, tussah silk and linen selected for its luxurious hand feel’. Underneath, she donned an outdoorsy cashmere jumper, teamed with a chic white blouse.
Opting for skinny jeans, the royal then accessorised with fashionable walking boots perfect for their nature stroll.
The Princess wore her long dresses down in styled waves, and accentuated her eyes with smokey eyeshadow.
For a pop of colour, she wore golden hoop earrings with garnet teardrop charms – from the brand Spells of Love – as well as her beloved engagement ring.
Indeed, the couple were in high spirits as they joined the Ardura Acorns – a local group – as they took part in outdoor learning at the ancient forest, which is home to a rich and diverse array of birds, mammals and plants
Elsewhere, William was dapper in a burgundy pullover and button-up, and navy trousers.
The community forest has been central to the way of life for generations of Mull families and is named in Gaelic as Doir a’Chuilinn, or holly grove. It dates back to medieval times and the oldest current known tree, a holly, is 300 years old.
The site is part of the ecologically crucial Atlantic rainforest – and is now under community ownership.
Work is underway to protect and restore its vulnerable wildlife which includes marsh fritillary butterflies, pine martens, eagles, hens harriers, otters and the very rare hazel glove fungus.
To coincide with Their Royal Highnesses’ visit, The Royal Foundation of The Prince and Princess of Wales have also announced its own support for the Mull and Iona Ranger Service.
United for Wildlife, which was created by William, will fund two crucial new ranger roles and help to ensure the Isles’ natural beauty continues to be responsibly managed whilst keeping nature accessible to residents and visitors through education and engagement.
Dr Tom Clements, Executive Director of Conservation, The Royal Foundation of The Prince and Princess of Wales commented: ‘Rangers play a fundamental yet often misunderstood and overlooked role. They do far more than just protect wildlife. They are educators, community supporters, researchers and scientists. They preserve cultural heritage, and they help safeguard and regulate the sustainable use of natural resources.
‘As we face increasing threats to our planet and natural world, the role of rangers in rural communities like Mull and Iona is invaluable for protecting the landscapes and environment on which communities rely.’
The community forest has been central to the way of life for generations of Mull families and is named in Gaelic as Doir a’Chuilinn, or holly grove. It dates back to medieval times and the oldest current known tree, a holly, is 300 years old
The couple kicked off their visit yesterday, which also commemorated a romantic milestone foe the pair.
On Tuesday, the Princess of Wales looked adoringly at her husband as they marked their 14th wedding anniversary with an arrival in Tobermory wearing matching tweed jackets.
Kate was glowing as she stepped out in a smart £549 herringbone blazer from Holland Cooper as she arrived at the iconic 18th Century fishing port with its brightly-coloured houses, made famous by the hit children’s show Balamory.
She added hiking boots, skinny jeans and a light blue shirt – while subtly paying tribute to William with a £6,000 Cartier Ballon Bleu stainless steel watch, thought to have been a gift from her husband on their third wedding anniversary in 2014.
The mother-of-three also wore her Kiki McDonough Pear Drop earrings and paid tribute to her children with a necklace by Daniella Draper with the letters G, C and L – representing Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, nine and Prince Louis, who recently turned seven.
Her brunette locks glistened in the sunlight with what appeared to be new blonde highlights for the summer – on a rare day of warm weather on the Scottish island.
Meanwhile, Prince William opted to match with his wife in a checked grey blazer, jeans and brown suede shoes, while appearing to share her good humour.
They soon put on a loved-up display, with Kate joking with her husband while placing a hand on his back as they walked together.
Kate looked to be in high spirits as she joined her husband for the visit to the community forest today
Kate was effortlessly elegant in a monochrome deep green ensemble, topped with a tweed coat
William opted for a dark jumper worn over a blue button up, teamed with some navy trousers, today
Kate wore skinny jeans, alongside some hiking boots, with her jumper and shirt this morning – for the forest visit
The royal kept her tresses in a relaxed style as she enjoyed the stroll with her husband William today
A crowd of around 300 plus cheering locals and tourists awaited William and Kate, who flew in by helicopter, bagpipes playing at their car approached the local community centre in Tobermory.
It is set to be a romantic getaway, with William and Kate renting an isolated self-catering cottage for two during the visit – 14 years after they tied the knot at Westminster Abbey in 2011.
The couple began the trip with a visit to the Aros community centre, built in the 19th century and home to events from wedding receptions to pantos, yoga classes and ceilidhs. It is being renovated thanks to a partnership with their Royal Foundation.
Kate and William waved to the crowds as they walked over to be greeted by Morven Summers, Chair of the Aros Hall Committee, and social influencer, interior designer and local resident Banjo Beale.
The royals were seen laughing as they visited the soft play area inside the hall and were gifted a bouquet of flowers in a timely move for their anniversary.
Reminiscing with locals about a private visit they made as students to the island 20 years ago, the Princess also said she still has two watercolour paintings she bought in the town hanging in a bedroom at home.
And they spoke about the three children they have had since their last trip: their love of soft play, and how the Princess visited the Waitrose café with baby Prince George for lack of any local mother and baby groups on Anglesey to take him to then.
The Prince and Princess spent more than an hour walking through the small town’s harbour front road, shaking hands and taking photographs with locals and holidaymakers.
William said he could always confirm whether he had visited a place before because he is usually asked to sign the visitors’ book, joking that he may have had ‘one or two ciders’ during his long weekend on Mull as a student.
Kate kept her accessories minimal, opting for a chic belt to bring the ensemble together this morning
The Princess beamed as she enjoyed sporting her deep forest green hued ensemble for the walk today
The Princess spent a long time talking to a holidaymaker who introduced himself to her as ‘from one cancer survivor to another’ and played with toddlers and babies at a new soft play their Royal Foundation has funded.
The downstairs of the hall has been converted partly into a new soft play, complete with pretend play area and mini cafe for young children and their families.
It is newly-painted with a puffin mural, which the Prince and Princess were invited to paint a flower on to.
The Prince ushered his wife to do the first one, joking that she is the artistic one and that there is ‘no competition’. The Princess took her time painting a small white flower, persuading her husband to do his own.
‘I think we’ve found Banksy,’ joked Banjo Beale, the interior designer and television presenter who lives locally and is working on the renovation. ‘It’s you.’
‘Come on, please please,’ Kate asked William, handing him a paintbrush and palette, and patting him on the back and briefly leaning her head on his shoulder afterwards.
The Prince later asked a small schoolgirl to decide which flower was the best, laughing when he was told they looked exactly the same.
The Princess went on to speak to mothers about the facility, asking about the services and connections with other parents. ‘
She told them she wished there had been a similar place when she had just had Prince George while living in Anglesey, telling them that she had visited the Waitrose cafe to get out of the house and see people.
‘We hang out a lot at soft play’, she said, ‘Mine absolutely love it.’ William gestured to his knees to joke that ‘you still think you can do it yourself, but…’
‘It’s not usually this clean,’ he said, of the brand-new set up. ‘It’s beautiful. It’s really cosy and fun.’
Hearing about how the young families gather in the space and make friends, the Princess added: ‘You need to bring ‘the village’ together.’
Prince William played with babies, tickling their feet and asking whether they were sleeping well.
He also gave an insight into the Waleses’ future projects, saying they wants to ‘spotlight’ volunteers and community leaders around the country who are the ‘glue’ holding everything together.
