The Princess of Wales returned to official duties on Thursday (4 September) after seven weeks away, joining Prince William at the Natural History Museum in London for their first joint engagement since the summer holidays.

Kate, 43, has been a patron of the museum since 2013 and last visited in 2021 during the early development of its Urban Nature Project. On this occasion, the royal couple toured the museum’s gardens, which are now used as a teaching resource for children.

Back to work after time away

Caught in a sudden downpour while meeting schoolchildren taking part in the museum’s educational programmes, Kate held up an umbrella and urged teachers to bring the children inside. “Let them go in, let’s take them inside, it’s pouring,” she said, according to the BBC.

Once inside, she apologised for her absence from public duties, telling Dr Sandy Knapp: “Sorry it’s been such a long time for me to come back.”

Sitting down with children in the activity centre, she joked: “Sorry we are a bit wet. It was nice and dry and then suddenly within seconds, it was such a lovely day.” William laughed, adding: “But it’s nature, in amongst nature.”

A striking new look