Kate reveals contest between Prince George, Louis and Princess Charlotte as she helps in hospice garden

The Duchess of Cambridge, wasn’t afraid of getting her hands dirty at a public appearance where she revealed Prince George, Louis and Princess Charlotte are having their own contest at home.

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge helps to pot plants and herbs during a visit to The Nook in Framlingham Earl, Norfolk

Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge, has revealed Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis are having a sunflower seed growing competition as she mucked in at a hospice for seriously ill children.

The Duchess visited The Nook, in Norfolk, where she met Sonny Pope-Saunders, 6, who has a brain tumour, and his sister Star, 11, and brother Hudson, 8.

She helped the children prepare pots for planting sunflowers, where she revealed her tribe had been doing the same at home.

“The children are really enjoying growing their sunflowers, Louis is winning so George is a little grumpy about that,” she said.

Sonny was diagnosed in February, with Catherine paying tribute to his mum Kelly Pope-Saunders.

“I’m always so blown away by families like yours, particularly having to go through all of this in lockdown,” she said to Ms Pope-Saunders during the visit.

“You show such resilience and bravery. You’re such an inspiration to us all.

“More people in the country should meet families like you, there’s a huge amount of change for you all to take on and you have coped fantastically.”

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge talks with Sonny Saunders (left) and his family, mother Kelly, brother Hudson, father Jordan and sister Star, during a visit to The Nook in Framlingham Earl, Norfolk. picture: Getty

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge meets Sonny Saunders and his family, including mother Kelly (right, back to camera) and father Jordan (left, back to camera). Picture: Getty

Ms Pope-Saunders said she was pleased to see the Duchess.

“It was so nice to see her - and in such a lovely dress too - getting stuck in,” she said.

Catherine, 38, visited the East Anglia Children’s Hospice (EACH) this week.

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge helps to pot plants and herbs during a visit to The Nook in Framlingham Earl, Norfolk. Picture: Getty

She also helped with planting in a sensory garden, which includes lavender, bay and rosemary, as well as strawberry plants, and herbs.

“I’d like to thank the amazing staff for all the work that you do in children’s hospices around the UK,” the Duchess said.

“The care and the nurture that you provide children and families in the most unimaginable circumstances is just awe inspiring.”

The Duchess also acknowledged the hard work and strain that many families had endured.

“I’d also like to pay tribute to all those families out there who are caring for and looking after a child with a life limiting illness,” she said.

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge helps to pot plants and herbs. Picture: Getty

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge helps to pot plants and herbs during a visit to The Nook. Picture: Getty

“You do the most extraordinary job and I know it’s particularly hard at the moment so my thoughts go out to you all.”

Catherine had purchased the plant that she gave to The Nook from the Fakenham Garden Centre in Norfolk, where she was photographed talking to a member of the public.

Meanwhile, Prince Charles, who has recovered from COVID-19 and was back at work, has surprised staff at a cancer hospital.

The heir to the throne sent a recorded message to staff at the Clatterbridge Cancer Centre in Liverpool, which opened on Saturday local time.

“I know that today is a momentous and very special occasion for everyone at the Clatterbridge Cancer Centre – Liverpool as you prepare to open the doors and welcome your first patients,” he said.

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge talks with Sonny Saunders (seated left), his father, Jordan, and his brother, Hudson (back to camera, right) during a visit to The Nook. Picture: Getty

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge helps to pot plants and herbs. Picture: Getty

MORE NEWS

Losing $100 pushes Aussies to the brink

Meghan, Harry back Facebook racism boycott

Maddie suspect’s ex-neighbour makes stunning claim

Who our experts think should win the Logies

“On such a memorable day, I just wanted to express my huge appreciation for the extraordinary efforts you have made to open this pioneering facility, which will truly transform cancer care for generations to come.”

He said, in a message played on screens to staff, that the delivery of the hospital during a pandemic was a remarkable achievement.

“I hope you can feel an enormous sense of pride. It can have been no easy feat in the face of a global pandemic so it really is the most immense testimony to the hard work of everyone involved,” he said.

The hospital was part of a $300 million cancer services package for the National Health Service.

More than two million people in the UK are waiting for screenings, tests and treatment because of a backlog created by COVID-19, where UK hospitals delayed treatment to cope with the virus peak.

[e-mail]

Originally published as Kate reveals contest between Prince George, Louis and Princess Charlotte as she helps in hospice garden