These boots were made for keeping! Pregnant Duchess of Cambridge wears the £475 pair she’s had for a DECADE for a day of gardening with children in London (and is left 'roaring with laughter' at a caterpillar house called 'Bug-ingham Palace')

  • The Duchess of Cambridge was on a visit to the Robin Hood Primary School to celebrate their work
  • The pregnant mother-of-two looked chic in her country attire as she arrived at the venue in London
  • Duchess of Cambridge donned trusty £475 Penelope Chilvers boots she's been sporting for over a decade
  • Roared with laughter at an eco-friendly version of her future home: Bug-ingham Palace
  • Just yesterday the Duchess of Cambridge said she's 'absolutely thrilled' for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle 

The Duchess of Cambridge, known for her thriftiness, stepped out in the same boots she's had for a decade as she enjoyed a day of gardening with schoolchildren. 

Pregnant Kate, donned her trusty £475 Penelope Chilvers knee-high leather boots, which she has been wearing since she first began dating Prince William.

She was still showing the merest hint of her baby bump in skin tight black jeans, and a black jumper under a green wax jacket, as she showed off her green fingers for the cameras on a visit to Robin Hood Primary School in Rayne's Park, south west London, to celebrate their work with the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Campaign for School Gardening.  

The Duchess was left roaring with laughter as she was shown an eco-friendly version of her future home today: Bug-ingham Palace.

The wooden ‘mansion’ was filled with leaves and sticks and provides a natural home for caterpillars, woodlice, stag beetles and ladybirds - and even a nesting Robin.  

The Duchess, who is expecting her third baby in April, is a keen gardener herself and talked about how she was trying to pass on her love to children George and Charlotte.  

Country Kate! The pregnant Duchess of Cambridge dressed down in a Barbour jacket and her trusty boots as she arrived for a day of gardening with children in London

Country Kate! The pregnant Duchess of Cambridge dressed down in a Barbour jacket and her trusty boots as she arrived for a day of gardening with children in London

One of the outdoor areas was named 'Bug-ingham Palace' in a nod to the royal who came to visit 

One of the outdoor areas was named 'Bug-ingham Palace' in a nod to the royal who came to visit 

The Duchess of Cambridge donned her gardening gloves and joined children as she visited Robin Hood Primary School to celebrate ten years of the Royal Horticultural Society Campaign for School Gardening

The Duchess of Cambridge donned her gardening gloves and joined children as she visited Robin Hood Primary School to celebrate ten years of the Royal Horticultural Society Campaign for School Gardening

Do it like the Duchess in a Barbour waxed jacket

It's a big week for the Royal Family.

From the news on Monday that Prince Harry has popped the question to Meghan Markle to their first joint engagement scheduled for Friday and the Duchess of Cambridge's own busy diary, Fashion Finder is poised ready to track down everything Meghan and Kate-related.

Following on from her chic Kate Spade dress yesterday, the Duchess kept things casual for her visit to a primary school in London today, teaming her much-loved Penelope Chilvers boots with skinny jeans, a Temperley London jumper and a classic Barbour jacket.

We love the olive shade and military-inspired pockets on this jacket, which would make a practical addition to your winter wardrobe. Unfortunately Kate's exact version has sold out, but click (right) to buy the next best thing.

Or get the Barbour look on a budget with the help of our edit below. This Joules jacket will do the trick!

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It is clear that thrifty Kate also has a love for recycling her wardrobe choices, as she was sporting the same pair of boots that she first wore back in August 2004, at the Game Fair at Blenheim Palace. 

The then Kate Middleton had just been thrust into the spotlight as the public got wind of her relationship with Prince William who she met when they were both studying at St Andrew's University, and she's worn them countless times since.  

The Duchess seemed in high spirits as she visited Robin Hood Primary, which is very proud of the way it encourages children to work in the gardens, growing their own vegetables and flowers.

The RHS Campaign for School Gardening, now marking ten years, inspires and supports schools to provide children with gardening opportunities to enhance their skills and boost their development.

Its work with 34,000 schools and groups has shown benefits for children's physical and mental well-being, and building life skills such as confidence, teamwork and communication.

After a short briefing, Kate joined a small group of youngsters from Reception to Year 2 in the outdoor learning area and sensory garden.

She sat next to chatty little Charlie, six, and Innaya, five, as they planted spring bulbs including tulips and daffodils. 

The royal was first spotted in the £475 long tassel boots at the Game Fair at Blenheim Palace in August 2004
The boots made another appearance in 2005 as Kate attended the Gatcombe Festival of Eventing in Gloucestershire
The Duchess of Cambridge wore her Penelope Chilvers tassel boots for a three-hour hike to the Tiger's Nest monastery on her visit to Bhutan in April 2016

Left: The royal was first spotted in the £475 long tassel boots at the Game Fair at Blenheim Palace in August 2004. Centre: The boots made another appearance in 2005 as Kate attended the Gatcombe Festival of Eventing in Gloucestershire. Right: The Duchess of Cambridge wore her Penelope Chilvers tassel boots for a three-hour hike to the Tiger's Nest monastery on her visit to Bhutan in April 2016

Kate was seen speaking to the children as she visited Robin Hood Primary School today in a dressed-down ensemble
The Duchess wrapped up warm for the cold weather

Kate was seen speaking to the children as she visited Robin Hood Primary School today in a dressed-down ensemble 

Kate, dressed in her trusty country attire, sat on a tree stump as she sat around and chatted to children about their favourite outdoor pursuits 

Kate, dressed in her trusty country attire, sat on a tree stump as she sat around and chatted to children about their favourite outdoor pursuits 

Meanwhile Prince William joined the President of Finland, Sauli Niinisto, at the Presidential Palace in Helsinki, Finland. William is making his first official visit to the Nordic nation which is celebrating the 100th anniversary of its independence with a year-long series of events. The trip is another visit to an EU state by a member of the royal family and is likely to be seen as part of this year¿s Brexit diplomacy trips, as they have been dubbed by the media, aimed at strengthening ties with European allies as Britain leaves the EU

Meanwhile Prince William joined the President of Finland, Sauli Niinisto, at the Presidential Palace in Helsinki, Finland. William is making his first official visit to the Nordic nation which is celebrating the 100th anniversary of its independence with a year-long series of events. The trip is another visit to an EU state by a member of the royal family and is likely to be seen as part of this year’s Brexit diplomacy trips, as they have been dubbed by the media, aimed at strengthening ties with European allies as Britain leaves the EU

‘Morning, have you got your warm coats and gloves on on now? That’s a good idea,’ she said.

She was handed a pair of leather gloves and knelt on a mat to join the youngsters planting out. 

‘Have you grown your own strawberries yet? Did you eat them? Were they yummy? Were they nice and ripe and juicy?

‘Everything that you grow in the garden and eat is all delicious. Do any of your mummies and daddies like gardening? Have you taught them things you have learnt at school?’

Charlie told her that he taught his parents about growing cabbages.

‘And what is the best thing about having a garden at school?’ she asked.

Robin Hood Primary School has developed a whole-school, progressive outdoor learning curriculum with support from the RHS. 

Kate proved to be a good sport as she got stuck into a spot of gardening with the local schoolchildren 

Kate proved to be a good sport as she got stuck into a spot of gardening with the local schoolchildren 

Kate certainly had a pregnancy glow about her as she sat around chatting to teachers and schoolchildren on Wednesday 

Kate certainly had a pregnancy glow about her as she sat around chatting to teachers and schoolchildren on Wednesday 

Children have access to a range of ‘outdoor classrooms’ in the woodland setting, giving the children an opportunity to explore, consolidate and develop their knowledge and understanding of the ever-changing natural environment. 

Kate joined some more of the youngsters who were whittling sticks to be gathered together and made into bug nests.

She put on her own pair of black leather gloves and picked up a potato peeler to have a to herself, asking the children what bugs they had seen in the Palace so far. 

‘Woodlouse and wiggily worms? Lucky bugs to have such a cool place to sleep,’ she said.

Before she left the Duchess gave a short speech in which she talked about her own youngsters.

Kate, who is a mother-of-two and pregnant with her third child, displayed her maternal side
Kate bonded with the little ones at the local school

Kate, who is a mother-of-two and pregnant with her third child, displayed her maternal side as she bonded with the little ones at the local school 

She said: ‘Thank you so much for having me here today. It's been lovely to meet all of you and thank you so much to all the children who've shown me what they've been doing in their gardens.

‘It's really inspiring and exciting to see what you've all been up to.

‘I've got such fond memories of being in the garden and being outside from my own childhood, and I'm sharing that with my own children, George and Charlotte, at the moment.

‘And I'm really excited about what you're doing here and taking inspiration from that in the school environment as well.

‘What you have created here is really so special. Hopefully you'll have lots of memories of your time here in the garden, looking for insects or planting bulbs.

‘And I really hope you remember these special times for the rest of your lives. But thank you again and good luck and happy gardening for the future.’

Afterwards Lucas, six, who was proudly displaying an ‘eco warrior’ badge, told her: ’This is the best day of my life!’

Sally Spires, the school’s outdoor learning co-ordinator showed the Duchess round and said afterwards: ‘She was incredibly warm and interested and understood the idea of using outdoor learning to promote the development and mental health of young children. She clearly enjoys it herself and said how much she enjoys getting her children out in the garden with their toys and dinosaurs.’ 

The pregnant mother-of-two, who showcased her shorter locks, wrapped up warm in a knitted black turtleneck jumper, green Barbour jacket and black jeans as she arrived at the Robin Hood Primary School

The pregnant mother-of-two, who showcased her shorter locks, wrapped up warm in a knitted black turtleneck jumper, green Barbour jacket and black jeans as she arrived at the Robin Hood Primary School

Thrifty Kate was sporting the same pair of £475 dark mid-length Penelope Chilvers boots that she wore when she first dated William back in 2003

Thrifty Kate was sporting the same pair of £475 dark mid-length Penelope Chilvers boots that she wore when she first dated William back in 2003

Kate, 35, was in high spirits as she arrived for a day outdoors
Her visit to the school today comes after she spent yesterday at a museum and art gallery

Kate, 35, was in high spirits as she arrived for a day outdoors. Her visit to the school today comes after she spent yesterday at a museum and art gallery

Kate, who is known for her love of recycling her wardrobe choices, has worn the brown boots on countless occasions 

Kate, who is known for her love of recycling her wardrobe choices, has worn the brown boots on countless occasions 

Kate was there to celebrate their work with the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Campaign for School Gardening

Kate was there to celebrate their work with the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Campaign for School Gardening

The Duchess of Cambridge was welcomed with a Christmassy flower arrangement as she arrived at Robin Hood Primary School in London

The Duchess of Cambridge was welcomed with a Christmassy flower arrangement as she arrived at Robin Hood Primary School in London

A gaggle of school children were eagerly awaiting the arrival of the Duchess of Cambridge and waved flags as she made an appearance at their school

A gaggle of school children were eagerly awaiting the arrival of the Duchess of Cambridge and waved flags as she made an appearance at their school

Kate, who is pregnant with her third child, was in high spirits as she was greeted by the school's headmaster on Wednesday 

Kate, who is pregnant with her third child, was in high spirits as she was greeted by the school's headmaster on Wednesday 

Meanwhile, her husband, Prince William, took a trip to Finland. The Duke of Cambridge will meet teenagers who have turned their lives around thanks to playing ice hockey as he begins a two-day visit to Finland.

William is making his first official visit to the Nordic nation which is celebrating the 100th anniversary of its independence with a year-long series of events.

The trip is another visit to an EU state by a member of the royal family and is likely to be seen as part of this year’s Brexit diplomacy trips, as they have been dubbed by the media, aimed at strengthening ties with European allies as Britain leaves the EU.

In the Finland capital of Helsinki the duke will visit an ice rink to see the work of Icehearts, a welfare charity that uses sport, particularly ice hockey, to engage with and support boys at risk of social exclusion.

The project, which now operates across 10 cities in the country, focuses on early intervention and the provision of long term care to help improve mental wellbeing and social skills of the young men.

The duke’s royal tour will begin with a formal meeting with Finland’s president Sauli Niinisto, at the presidential palace, and in the evening William will be his guest at a dinner held at his official residence.

Britain’s ambassador to Finland Sarah Price will host a reception for William at the British embassy during the day, an event attended by young people and leaders from the science, research and innovation sectors in Finland. 

Just yesterday the Duchess of Cambridge said she's 'absolutely thrilled' for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle as she stepped out in London a day after her brother-in-law's engagement announcement. 

The pregnant mother-of-two displayed her neat baby bump in a figure-skimming Kate Spade dress, which she offset with burgundy accessories, as she arrived at the Foundling Museum in London.

Discussing Monday's happy news, the Duchess said: 'William and I are absolutely thrilled. It's such exciting news.

'It's a really happy time for any couple and we wish them all the best and hope they enjoy this happy moment.'

Her appearance comes just hours after Meghan Markle hailed her 'wonderful'.  Miss Markle said the Duchess of Cambridge had been 'wonderful' to her, while Harry said both William and Kate had been 'amazing'.

The Duchess of Cambridge displayed her neat baby bump in a Kate Spade dress as she stepped out at an art gallery in London just hours after Meghan Markle hailed her  'amazing'

The Duchess of Cambridge displayed her neat baby bump in a Kate Spade dress as she stepped out at an art gallery in London just hours after Meghan Markle hailed her 'amazing'

Kate was in high spirits as she joined in with some arts and crafts  during a visit to the Foundling Museum in London

Kate was in high spirits as she joined in with some arts and crafts during a visit to the Foundling Museum in London

Harry talked about how he kept the relationship secret before introducing Miss Markle to his brother and sister-in-law. 'It was exciting, I mean I've - you know, I'd been seeing her for a period of time when I literally didn't tell anybody at all. 

'And then William was longing to meet her and so was Catherine, so you know, being our neighbours, we managed to get that in a couple of, well, quite a few times now, and Catherine has been absolutely amazing, as has William as well, you know, fantastic support.' 

'The family together have been absolutely, you know, a solid support, and my grandparents as well have been, have been wonderful throughout this whole process, and they've known for quite some time,' he said.

The Duchess of Cambridge was yesterday visiting the Foundling Hospital, the UK's first children's charity and first public art gallery where she learned more about the museum's history and the way it continues to focus on its founding principles to use art and creativity as a means to support and engage children and vulnerable families.

During her visit, Kate received a briefing on the history of the hospital and how the museum continues to engage vulnerable and marginalised young people. 

The 35-year-old met families and children who have benefited from the museum's education and outreach programmes, including pre-school children from a local nursery who regularly visit the museum and young care leavers who are being trained to run their own creative workshops.

The Duchess is expecting her third child in the spring and showed off her neat figure in a printed pleat dress

The Duchess is expecting her third child in the spring and showed off her neat figure in a printed pleat dress

Kate looked radiant as she arrived at the Foundling Museum in London, which explores the history of the Foundling Hospital, the UK's first children's charity and first public art gallery
The Duchess was all smiles as she arrived on a chilly Tuesday morning

Kate looked radiant as she arrived at the Foundling Museum in London, which explores the history of the Foundling Hospital, the UK's first children's charity and first public art gallery

Kate proved she was a good sport as she got stuck into an arts and craft session at the museum with two youngsters 

Kate proved she was a good sport as she got stuck into an arts and craft session at the museum with two youngsters 

Kate spoke out about how happy she and William were for Prince Harry
The Duchess was jubilant during her trip to the museum

Kate, who spoke out about how happy she and William were for Prince Harry, was jubilant during her trip to the museum 

The Duchess of Cambridge, who is expecting her third child in the spring, helped the little ones with their crafts

The Duchess of Cambridge, who is expecting her third child in the spring, helped the little ones with their crafts

Meghan Markle said 'yes' immediately to Prince Harry after he proposed on one knee while they were cooking dinner, the couple said today in their first joint interview. She also spoke of how amazing Kate and William had been with her

Meghan Markle said 'yes' immediately to Prince Harry after he proposed on one knee while they were cooking dinner, the couple said today in their first joint interview. She also spoke of how amazing Kate and William had been with her

Her visit came after Harry, 33, and Miss Markle, 36, appeared at a photocall at Kensington Palace in London on Monday.

Fifth in line to the throne Harry has been dating the American actress - who found fame in the US legal drama Suits - since the summer of last year.

Their 16-month whirlwind romance blossomed when they met through mutual friends in London, and the pair have been almost inseparable in recent months.

The couple will live together in Harry's current home, Nottingham Cottage at Kensington Palace, and Miss Markle will become an HRH and a senior royal.

She is expected to become a duchess - just like Kate Middleton did when she became the Duchess of Cambridge after saying her vows in 2011.

Miss Markle will most probably become HRH the Duchess of Sussex, if Harry is made the Duke of Sussex by the Queen on the morning of his wedding.

The pair were secretly engaged earlier this month, and Harry took Miss Markle to meet his grandmother the Queen for tea at Buckingham Palace in October.

Their 16-month whirlwind romance blossomed when they met through mutual friends and Meghan said the Duchess had been 'wonderful' to her

Their 16-month whirlwind romance blossomed when they met through mutual friends and Meghan said the Duchess had been 'wonderful' to her

The royal looked nervous but happy and his fiancee stroked his arm lovingly as they spoke to reporters
Reporters asked him: 'When did you know she was the one?' and he replied: 'From the very first time we met'

The royal looked nervous but happy and his fiancee stroked his arm lovingly as they spoke to reporters, who asked him: 'When did you know she was the one?' and he replied: 'From the very first time we met'

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