Kate Middleton Gets Hands Dirty as She Makes an Unexpected Cameo on 'Blue Peter' Kids' Show

The Duchess made a surprising appearance in England’s oldest children TV show to launch a gardening contest that is part of a much-needed campaign for the well-being of children in the age of technology.

37-year-old Kate Middleton has joined efforts with the CBBC network and its long-running series “Blue Peter” to motivate all children to spent more time playing outside, away from the screens and videogames, for their own sake.

Just as she does with her children, the Duchess of Cambridge wants to encourage other children to go out and enjoy parks and gardens and be exposed to nature and physical activity, as she suggested in her unexpected TV cameo.

“Even a short amount of time — 10-15 minutes outside — makes a huge difference to both physical well-being but also to our mental well-being,” the mother-of-three said during her onscreen interview.

Middleton believes that being outside “encourages creativity [and] confidence” and she says she wants Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis to enjoy their gardens notwithstanding the weather.

To help this important cause, Middleton is collaborating with “Blue Peter” to launch a competition to design a sculpture for her upcoming Back to Nature garden. The second and third place winners will get to design their own outdoor activity cards to be featured in the show.

The contest will be open from June 13 to June 25, and those interested should go visit the program’s website to learn more details about it.

But beyond the message she wanted to deliver in her unexpected appearance, Middleton did more than just talking about going out and have some fun in the open, and she wasn’t afraid to get on her knees and get her hands dirty.

Although largely unnoticed, Middleton made a sweet nod to her husband during her appearance on the show by opting to plant a Dianthus Barbatus, a pink and white flower commonly known as Sweet William.

The Duchess took part in some of the activities the children on the show were doing, leading “Team Kate” in a race to build a den, hunting for wildlife, and repurposing old stuff to make pots for plants.

While never losing her glamour, Middleton naturally wore casual and comfortable clothes for the seven-minute segment, recycling the military jacket she wore for her recent official visit to North West England alongside Prince William. She also wore black jeans and sneakers, and styled her hair in a ponytail.

Although largely unnoticed, Middleton made a sweet nod to her husband during her appearance on the show by opting to plant a Dianthus Barbatus, a pink and white flower commonly known as Sweet William.