Duchess of Cambridge dons wellies for day in the countryside

The Duchess of Cambridge's visit to an outdoor activity centre for children today was about as far from a typical royal occasion as could be.

Wearing a pair of green Burberry wellies, the Duchess mucked in with children from inner-city backgrounds building tents and cooking round a campfire.

She was visiting the Expanding Horizons Primary School Scheme at Widehorizons' Margaret McMillan House in Wrotham, Kent. The scheme is designed to help children from inner-city backgrounds develop their confidence and teamwork skills.

Kate chatted to Zahid Shanvere and Faith Kalala from ARK's King Solomon Academy Primary in London who showed her the teepees where they had all slept last night.

When showing the Duchess into the teepee, Zahid said: "Ladies first." To which Kate replied: "Such a gentleman. Thank you."

Zahid and Faith then showed the Duchess where all the other children were building tents out of pieces of wood and tarpaulin.

She then joined some of the children sitting round a large campfire and learnt how to make dough sticks. Choosing one of the children to try a dough stick she then tried one herself.

For many of the children the Duchess met it was the first time they had visited the countryside.

Kate wore blue Zara jeans, a green Burberry blouse, green Zara jumper and a Really Wild green leather waistcoat.

After thanking the children for having her, the Duchess walked with them to the barn where they enjoyed lunch before leaving.

Niall Leyden, head of the centre, said this was only the second royal visit to the facility since it was opened in 1936 by the Duke of York, who went on to become King George VI.

He said: "The children seemed remarkably relaxed about having a royal visitor as they were about the whole weekend.