Duchess of Cambridge shows maternal side at first post-baby engagement
![Duchess of Cambridge returns to work after almost six months of maternity leave [Photo: Getty]](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/MeKWkPP41MH8GNV1TqVYWw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xNzk2/https://media.zenfs.com/en/homerun/feed_manager_auto_publish_494/0b142f7cef415beaae591d7757ec09cb)
The Duchess of Cambridge has returned from maternity leave, after giving birth to Prince Louis in April.
Kate showed off her maternal side as she joined children at Sayers Croft Forest School in Paddington Recreation Ground on Tuesday afternoon.
She joined pupils aged four to five, from St Augustine’s CoE primary school as they learned about nature and took part in some gardening activities – and there were plenty of hugs for the Duchess.
![The Duchess of Cambridge was all smiles at her first official engagement since welcoming Prince Louis in April [Photo: Getty]](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/H8McGR3af1gqG9xtnsF8Kw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTE0OTE-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/homerun/feed_manager_auto_publish_494/064c2d84e968d8491cc3c71c72c33104)
The Duchess, wearing a khaki green Fjallraven jacket and her classic Zara biker jeans and brown Penelope Chilvers boots asked the children what they liked best about the forest school.
“Eating!” one of the children responded, giggling.
Kate also joined pupils from St Stephen’s School as they made leaf crowns and listened to the Monkey Queen during storytime – and showed, like Meghan Markle, just how comfortable she is interacting with children.
Video: Kate is hugged by reception kids (ages 4&5) from St Augustine’s CoE Primary in Kilburn. So sweet! Kate asks them what their favourite thing about forest school. “Eating!” says one & Kate giggles. #kate #duchessofcambridge pic.twitter.com/icqAhZDYhj
— Emily Andrews (@byEmilyAndrews) October 2, 2018
Kate now taking part in a mini beast hunt! pic.twitter.com/tK4TF7WtAd
— Rebecca English (@RE_DailyMail) October 2, 2018
Mason, four, from St Augustine’s School wanted to show Kate where the water was as they planted pea seeds pic.twitter.com/6dTWEKKe85
— Rebecca English (@RE_DailyMail) October 2, 2018
As the Duchess strolled through the park, she took the time to stop and chat with locals and other parents, out with their children, including seven-month-old Romi.
“He’s very chatty, he’s almost the same age as my little boy” she said.
Kate’s visit ties in with the work she’s been doing on children’s mental health and the importance of early intervention and support.
The #DuchessofCambridge departs Paddington Recreation Ground after spending over an hour with school children pic.twitter.com/hibe4yLaWy
— Danielle Stacey (@daniellestacey1) October 2, 2018
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A post shared by Yahoo Style UK (@yahoostyleuk) on Oct 2, 2018 at 7:05am PDT
Last year, the Sayers Croft Forest School had over 5,500 visits by schoolchildren from across Westminster and neighbouring boroughs, giving inner city children a unique opportunity to learn about and engage with the natural world.
It aims to involve children and the local community in the environment, providing outdoor facilities for those who may otherwise be unable to access them.
Although the Duchess has appeared at other public events this summer, including Trooping the Colour, the RAF Centenary and Wimbledon, this is her first official duty since having Prince Louis.
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