Princess of Wales joins students at first children's picnic at the Chelsea Flower Show

The Princess of Wales has faced some tough questions about the point of her royal work by an unlikely group.

Catherine was asked what the family actually does by a group of school children during a surprise visit to the Chelsea Flower Show on Monday.

Taking it all in her stride, the mother-of-three answered: "They help support all the different people in the country, showcase all the amazing work being done and look after everyone".

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Kate was questioned about what it was like to be a real-life princess and said: "You have to work hard, but you know the best thing about it is meeting kiddies like you".

Wearing a Me+Em frock that became known as her "princess pink" dress by a young cancer patient she met in 2021, Kate joined students from 10 schools taking part in the first Children's Picnic at the show.

She sat on a picnic blanket with one group and spoke about the joys of planting vegetables at home.

"It's so rewarding isn't it, when you see plants growing and then you have them on your plate," she said.

She was told that some of the pupils were growing sunflowers at school and said: "Louis is growing broad beans at school. You put them in a cup and you can see the roots growing. They get big quickly like sunflowers."

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The Princess of Wales was last at the Chelsea Flower Show in 2019 when she launched her Back To Nature gardens in partnership with the Royal Horticultural Society(RHS), aimed at highlighting how time spent outdoors can enrich a child's early development.

The introduction of children's picnics at the show aims to help bring gardening and nature into the lives of more children.

The Princess of Wales has long championed the benefits to young people of spending time outdoors.

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The picnic is expected to become an annual event at the show thanks to Kate's involvement.

After the picnic, Kate took small groups of children into three of the show gardens.

While visiting the Royal Entomological Society's garden, Kate was asked to sign her autograph by some of the children.

But she was unable to do so and said: "My name's Catherine. I'm not allowed to write my signature, it's just one of those rules".

Instead, the Princess of Wales drew a flower for one girl, a tree for another and a pond surrounded by plants for a third child.

King Charles and Queen Camilla were also at the first day of the Chelsea Flower Show, an event which is held for just five days in May on the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea.

It was the first year held without the late Queen Elizabeth II, who was a regular visitor to the annual event.

In memory of the Queen, the King and Queen presented the first ever 'Elizabeth Medal of Honour' to Baroness Fookes, Piet Oudolf and Judy Ling Wong.

This new award will be given to those who have made a significant impact to the advancement of the science, art or practice of horticulture.

Last year, Her Majesty made a surprise appearance at the show where she was driven around in a white golf buggy.

The event was one of the late monarch's final public appearances.