The Duchess of Cambridge, née Kate Middleton, enjoyed a particularly special outing with her baby Prince George last week. The doting mum paid tribute to her husband's late mother Diana, Princess of Wales, by reportedly taking their one-year-old to the memorial playground that was erected in honour of the "People's Princess" in Kensington Gardens. Kate brought baby George to the "beach" section of the area, which is a stone's throw away from her and Prince William's Apartment 1A home.
© Photo: Getty ImagesDuchess Kate, Prince George and Prince William captured before the royal baby's first birthday
"It was lovely seeing them play together in the sand," an insider told The Express. "They stayed for about 15 minutes. "They had three protection officers with them but Kate seemed oblivious to anyone except her gorgeous baby enjoying himself." Diana passed away in 1997, leaving behind her ex-husband Prince Charles and sons Princes William and Harry. The playground was unveiled three years later on the eve of Diana's birthday, but no members of the royal family attended the opening.
© Photo: Getty ImagesPrince George at a polo match, supporting his dad Prince William, in June
The recreational space was built on the site of the previous Peter Pan children's playground, which was founded by the author of the classic novel JM Barrie. When George is older, he will no doubt be able to enjoy the Peter Pan-inspired facilities, which include a full-scale wooden pirate ship that youngsters can climb onto. The playground is an example of a "natural play" concept, designed to stimulate children's imagination, sense of adventure, and to encourage them to challenge their physical and mental prowess.
© Photo: Getty ImagesPrince George encounters the butterfly exhibition at London's Natural History Museum
Shortly after George's first birthday on 22 July, Kate revealed that she often takes her royal baby swimming at Buckingham Palace. Speaking to former world and Commonwealth swim champion James Hickman, the Reading-born Duchess said that her fair-haired boy "loves the water" and "grabs things to splash with." George may well develop into a strong swimmer as he has previously been described as "quick on his feet" by the royal photographer who captured his official birthday shots at the Natural History Museum in London. "He was walking towards me – I was kneeling down to take the picture and he was on top of me as soon as he started walking," John Stillwell told People. "He was very quick. He looked really steady on his feet." John added: "Prince George was very lively and very sure of himself and confident – a very determined young boy."
