Green-fingered Catherine makes gardening look glam on solo royal engagement

The Duchess of Cambridge will soon follow in her father-in-law Prince Charles’ footsteps by designing a flower garden for this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show.

Catherine looked effortlessly stylish as she stepped out without her husband Prince William for the solo engagement on Tuesday, following the announcement that she will design the 2019 RHS Garden at the prestigious annual event.

The mum-of-three kept her look understated, opting for practical gardening clothes rather than a designer frock, in a pair of khaki leggings which she paired with sensible lace-up walking boots and a hooded jacket in a similar shade of green.

Catherine, who is mum to Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, visited the Islington Community Garden and got her hands dirty with a group of local schoolchildren, helping them to make fresh pizza and decorate their own birdboxes.

Read more: Chelsea Flower Show kicks off with spectacular colour and pomp.

Doing what she does best, Catherine took the time to chat to the school children and members of the local community who came out to meet her, but a question from one little gardener left her stumped.

According to the Daily Mail, Catherine was at a loss for words when a schoolgirl asked if her husband’s grandmother, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, ate pizza.

Eight-year-old Nadirah asked: “Has the Queen ever eaten pizza?” To which Kate replied: “That’s such a good question, I don’t know. Maybe next time I see her shall I ask?”

https://www.instagram.com/p/BspqmSSl9Yi/

The duchess will work alongside architects Davies White to create the garden which will go on display at the world-renowned event in May.

And one of the birdboxes created by the duchess with the help of school children from nearby St Jude and St Paul’s CE Primary School on Tuesday will be chosen for inclusion in the final Chelsea Flower Show garden.

A statement from the palace said the duchess’ garden will “highlight the benefits of the great outdoors and inspire children, families and communities to get back to nature”.

“The garden will build on Her Royal Highness’s passion for the outdoors and the proven benefits that nature has on physical and mental health,” a spokesperson added.

“The Duchess is a strong advocate for the positive impact that nature and the environment can have on childhood development.”

Read more: Prince William jokes about remembering Catherine’s 37th birthday.

Tuesday’s visit was Catherine’s first solo engagement of 2019, having recently celebrated her 37th birthday.

Last week the Duke of Cambridge left royal fans in stitches when he joked about remembering his wife’s birthday.

During a visit to the Royal London Hospital last Wednesday the prince jokingly assured some children that he was well aware of Duchess Catherine’s 37th birthday.

“Well done for remembering,” the prince said as he was handed a card by a child, as captured in a video from royals reporter Rebecca English.

“I did remember this morning, so I was okay,” he joked, laughing off a question about what he gifted her.

Are you a fan of the Duchess of Cambridge? Have you ever been to the Chelsea Flower Show?