In pictures: Royal couple naturals around children

The Duke of Cambridge holds three week old Hugo Eric Scott Vicary during a reception. Credit: Vic Vicary/PA Archive

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have both spoken publicly of their desire to start a family of their own and have shown themselves to be naturals around children.

In their engagement interview Kate told ITV News family was "very important" to her and she hoped they would be "be able to have a happy family ourselves".

And during an interview with ABC broadcaster Katie Couric William revealed he would "rather like to have children".

The couple, who regularly meet children on official engagements, have always shown themselves to be very at ease around youngsters which should set them in good stead for parenthood.

Here, Kate and William are captured with children from across the world:

The Duke of Cambridge shows his gentle side as he meets a baby during a walkabout in Cambridge. Credit: Arthur Edwards/PA Archive
The Duchess of Cambridge talks to Maizie Yeardley, during a visit to BAE Systems in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria. Credit: Chris Jackson/PA Wire
The Duke of Cambridge at Tedworth House, Tidworth, Wiltshire, where he and Prince Harry officially opened a Help for Heroes Recovery Centre. Credit: Mark Richards/Daily Mail/PA Wire
The Duchess of Cambridge recieves a hug from six-year-old Diamond Marshall after arriving at Calgary Airport, Canada. Credit: Ian Volger/PA Wire
Prince William meets Banata Nuru and her newborn twins Sen and Sina in the new Winnicott Baby Unit at St Mary's Hospital, Paddington. Credit: Anwar Hussein/EMPICS Entertainment
The Duchess of Cambridge helps Luis Lee with his painting during a visit to the Art Room facilities at Rose Hill Primary School in Oxford. Credit: Steve Parsons/PA Archive
The Duke of Cambridge entertains children during a visit to Bacon's College in Greenwich during the launch of a new sports project. Credit: Richard Pohle/PA Archive
The Duchess of Cambridge receives a hug from a little girl during a visit to Alder Hey Hospital, Liverpool. Credit: Arrow Press/EMPICS Entertainment
The Duke of Cambridge holds three-week-old Hugo Eric Scott Vicary during a reception. Credit: Vic Vicary/PA Archive
Kate meets James William Davies who was named after Prince William during a walkabout in Cambridge. Credit: Arthur Edwards/PA Archive
The Duke of Cambridge talks to Riley Oldford, six, at Yellowknife Airport before he departs Canada. Credit: John Stillwell/PA Archive
The Duchess of Cambridge meets Isobelle Laursen, three, during a visit to the Peak Lane Fire Head Quarters in Grimsby. Credit: Bruce Adams/PA Wire
Prince William meets orphaned children during a visit to the Semongkong Children's Centre in Lesotho. Credit: Anthony Devlin/PA Wire
The Duchess of Cambridge during a visit to Alder Hey Hospital, Liverpool. Credit: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo/PA Archive
Prince William is hugged by pupil Darren Pearty as he meets children at Eresby School in Spilsby. Credit: Chris Jackson/PA Wire
The Duchess of Cambridge meeting children and staff as she visits Naomi House Children's Hospice during Children's Hospice Week. Credit: David Parker/Daily Mail/PA Wire
William meets patient Ellis Andrews during a visit to open the new Oak Centre for Children and Young People at The Royal Marsden Hospital. Credit: Kirsty Wigglesworth/PA Archive
The Duchess of Cambridge receives flowers from two year old Lola Mackay during a visit to the CRI Stockton Recovery Service. Credit: Paul Ellis/PA Archive
The Duke of Cambridge with a little boy during a visit to Queenstown in Singapore. Credit: Chris Jackson/PA Archive