SUPPORT OUR JOURNALISM: Please consider donating to keep our website running and free for all - thank you!

Prince & Princess of Wales

Duchess of Cambridge returns from maternity leave as she spends time with school children

After a five month maternity leave from giving birth to Prince Louis in April 2018, the Duchess of Cambridge is back to work.

The Duchess visited Sayers Croft Trust Forest School and Wildlife Garden on Tuesday to learn about the effect that forest schools have on children’s mental health.

The four and five year old students at St Augustine’s CE Primary School in Kilburn, London awaited Kate with hugs as she arrived, eager to show her around.

As a mother of young children herself, the Duchess was hands-on as they went on a mini beast hunt (or bug). The Duchess was overheard saying that she spends hours in the garden with Prince George and Princess Charlotte looking for spiders.

Walking up to the students, Kate asked the students “what are you doing here?”

The students told her they were looking for bugs and counting their legs.

“Who has found a spider? Has anyone found a spider? You have – a big one or a little one?” the Duchess continued.

One girl replied with, “I’m going to find a snake,” which caused Kate to smile.

Other duties included filling up watering cans which was interrupted by four year old, Lanwe who gifted Kate with two wooden pendants.

Upon receiving them, she told him: “They’re both for me? Thank you very much! That’s very kind.”

Of course, any royal visit would not be complete without crown making. The Duchess collected leaves with the students of St Stephen’s school for their project which they later showed off as Kate departed.

The Duchess of Cambridge listens to a story with the students. @KensingtonRoyal/Twitter

Planting seeds in small pots and watering them was just another one of the many tasks planned out for Kate’s visit.

Last year, the Sayers Croft Trust Forest Scholl had 5,500 students from Westminster and the neighbouring areas visit. The unique school gives children raised in cities the rare opportunity to be one with nature.