The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Pupils joined by princess at special picnic
The Princess of Wales was told she was the most appealing thing on the menu when she interrupted Chelsea Pensioners sat down to lunch.
Kate was delighted to see the ex-servicemen and women when she visited Chelsea Flower Show and joined school children touring some of the attractions, including a walled kitchen garden designed by Mark Gregory.
During the visit, she was quizzed by some of the youngsters about being a royal, replying “You have to work hard”.
She also revealed “Louis is growing broad beans at school”, before she showed off her talent for drawing by sketching flowers and plants for the children in lieu of a signature.
Dressed in their famous red tunics, the Chelsea Pensioners are a feature of Gregory’s garden and a covered dining area has been created for them, alongside a kitchen that will produce meals for the elderly group from produce grown nearby.
“What’s on the menu?” Kate asked as the pensioners tucked into chargrilled peas with herbs.
Harry Puttick, who served with the Royal Welsh Fusiliers for 30 years, replied gallantly, “The peas are forgettable, you are not”.
With the cook nearby, he joked afterwards: “I’d better say the peas were wonderful, but it was fantastic to meet the future Queen.”
At Gregory’s Savills garden, the princess chatted to children from St George’s Church of England Primary School in Camberwell, south-east London.
Asked what her favourite colour was, she encouraged the children to guess – grinning as they correctly answered “green”.
Meanwhile, one of the
pupils asked her about being a member of the royal family.
She replied: “You have to work hard, but you know the best thing about it is meeting kiddies like you.”
In 2019, Kate co-designed a Chelsea Flower Show garden to encourage the public to get back in touch with nature and talks she had at the time with the
RHS, the show’s organiser, inspired the institution to involve children in this year’s event.
Youngsters from 10 schools, taking part in the RHS Campaign for School Gardening, were invited to a picnic and were joined by the princess when she first arrived before the pupils later toured some of the show gardens with Kate.