Kate Middleton has revealed she has a “very spiritual and intense emotional reconnection” when surrounded by nature.
In a video filmed in the Lake District (above), the Princess of Wales joined Chief Scout Dwayne Fields to discuss the importance of the natural world and its ability to support our health and wellbeing.
Walking through a woodland near the shores of Lake Windermere, Dwayne asked the Princess: “When you come out here, when all the stresses and strains of regular life happen and you come into a space like this, what do you think about?”
Kate, who is in remission from cancer, replied: “Not everyone has that same relationship perhaps with nature, but it is so therefore meaningful for me as a place to balance and find a sort of sense of peace and reconnection in what is otherwise a very busy world.”
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Kate Middleton and Dwayne Fields in the Lake District
The Princess and Dwayne were joined by Scouts groups from Cumbria and Stretford, Greater Manchester, who undertook a challenge to earn their Naturalist Badge.
In the video, the Princess of Wales was seen speaking to the Scouts about Lake Windermere. Looking at a map, she asked the children if they have “done any of the bigger mountains” in the hilly areas.
“It’s so beautiful because so many of the walks here, you can see Lake Windermere because it’s huge, isn’t it?” the Princess of Wales said.
Kate was also photographed laughing and sitting with the children while they sat eating ice cream on benches.
Kate has long been an advocate of the natural world, regularly talking about the importance of green spaces. In July last year, the Princess supported the opening of the two new gardens at the Natural History Museum.
In an Instagram story shared via Kensington Palace, she said: “I am hugely supportive of the Museum’s commitment to create a special space which encourages people of all ages to reconnect with nature and learn more about how we can protect our natural world.”
What the British royal family looked like the year you were born
1916: Taking a Ride
Queen Mary and King George V leave Buckingham Palace.
Getty / Topical Press Agency
1917: At the Club
King George V, Queen Mary, and the Prince of Wales are seen out in front of the British Officers’ club.
Getty / Universal History Archive
1918: A Royal Anniversary
King George V and Queen Mary celebrate their silver anniversary. They married July 6, 1883.
Getty / Universal History Archive
1919: Family Outing
King George V, Queen Mary, and their youngest son Prince John leave the Great Allied War Photographic Exhibition.
Getty / Topical Press Agency
1920: The Duke
The future King George VI (then named Albert) is made Duke of York. Here, he poses while dressed in his robes for the House of Lords.
Getty / Print Collector
1921: Game Time
The Duke of York kicks off a charity football game between Tottenham Hotspurs and Corinthians.
Getty / Print Collector
1922: A Royal Wedding
Princess Mary marries Viscount Lascelles.
Getty / W. and D. Downey
1923: Another Royal Wedding
The Duke of York (the future King George VI) marries Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon (the future Queen Elizabeth and Queen Mother). Also this year, Princess Mary gives birth to George Lascelles (7th Earl of of Harewood).
Getty / Universal History Archive
1924: A Royal Baby
Princess Mary gives birth to a son, Gerald Lascelles.
Getty / Hulton Archive
1925: Family Getaway
The Duke of Kent, Queen Mary, Elizabeth, Duchess of York, and George, Duke of York visit Balmoral Castle.
Getty / Hulton Archive
1926: A Future Queen is Born
The Duke and Duchess of York hold Elizabeth (the future Queen Elizabeth II) at her christening.
Getty / Central Press
1931: Anniversary Celebration
The Duke and Duchess of York accompany Princesses Elizabeth and niece Diana, at Glamis Castle in Angus, Scotland, for the Golden Wedding celebrations of the Earl and Countess of Strathmore, the Duchess’s parents.
Getty / Central Press
1932: Joining the Grandparents
Princess Elizabeth accompanies King George V and Queen Mary to a church service at Crathie, near Balmoral.
Getty / Topical Press Agency
1933: Three Royal Generations
King George V, the Duke and Duchess of York, and Princess Elizabeth take a trip in the Royal carriage.
1934: A Royal Wedding
Prince George, Duke of Kent (son of George V and Queen Mary) marries Princess Marina.
Getty / Photo12 / UIG
1935: King George V’s Silver Jubilee
Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret wave from the balcony with King George V and Queen Mary. Also this year, Prince Henry (son of George V and Queen Mary) marries Lady Alice Montagu Douglas Scott, and King George V’s sister, Princess Victoria, dies.
Getty / Central Press / Hulton Archive
1936: Funeral For a King
King George V dies, Edward ascends to become King Edward VIII, then abdicates the throne 326 days later to marry Wallis Simpson. Here, he walks in his father’s funeral procession with his brothers.
Getty / Print Collector
1937: A New King
After his brother abdicates the throne, the Duke of York becomes King George VI. Here, we see His Royal Highness with Queen Elizabeth and Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret on Coronation Day.
Getty / Hulton Archive
1938: Royal Watching
Queen Elizabeth, King George VI, Queen Mary (centre) and Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret observe the presentation of new colours to Grenadier Guards at Buckingham Palace.
Getty / Hulton Archive
1939: King’s Chorus
King George VI and Queen Elizabeth sing a song at the King’s Camp at Abergeldie Castle, with Princesses Margaret and Elizabeth.
Getty / Fox Photos
1940: The Dawn of a Difficult Time
The family poses together. Later this year, Buckingham Palace would be bombed during the Blitz, then again in November.
Getty / Central Press
1941: A Stiff Upper Lip
The King and Queen stayed in London during the war, and could be frequently out in public surveying damage. Here, they visit Salford.
Getty / Past Pix
1952: The End of an Era
King George VI dies on February 6th. Princess Elizabeth becomes Queen Elizabeth II, with Queen Elizabeth taking the name “Queen Mother” to avoid confusion between the two. Here, they watch the funeral proceedings.
Getty / Fox Photos
1953: The Beginning of an Era
Queen Mary dies on March 24th. The coronation of Queen Elizabeth takes place on June 2nd.
Getty / Universal History Archive
1954: Royal Wave
Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Philip, Prince Charles, and Princess Anne salute the crowd from the balcony at Buckingham Palace following a trip around the world.
Getty / AFP
1955: A (Minor) Scandal
Princess Margaret calls off plans to marry Captain Peter Townsend after not getting the required consent from her sister. Townsend was Equarry to King George VI and also Queen Elizabeth II.
Getty / ullstein bild
1956: Two Queens
The Queen and the Queen mother sit on the grass to watch the Badminton Horse Trials.
Getty / Tidmarsh
1957: A Royal Driver
Queen Elizabeth II takes a ride with Prince Charles and Princess Anne as passengers.
Getty / Hulton Archive
1958: At the Races
Princess Margaret, Queen Elizabeth II, and the Queen Mother visit the Epsom Downs Racecourse for the Derby.
Getty / Fox Photos
1959: Family Time
Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Philip, Prince Charles, and Princess Anne relax with Sugar, the Queen’s corgi.
Getty / Fox PhotosShow More
Deputy Daily Editor, Country Living and House Beautiful
Lisa Joyner is the Deputy Daily Editor at House Beautiful UK and Country Living UK, where she’s busy writing about home and interiors, gardening, dog breeds, pets, health and wellbeing, countryside news, small space inspiration, and the hottest properties on the market. Previously, she has written for Conde Nast Traveller, House & Garden and Marie Claire magazine. Lisa studied at University For The Creative Arts, where she completed a BA in Fashion Journalism.