Kate Middleton Steps Out For Her First Public Appearance Since Shutdown

Following in her father-in-law Prince Charles' footsteps, Kate Middleton carried out her first public royal engagement on Thursday (June 18) since the COVID-19 shutdown began in March. While Prince Charles visited healthcare workers at the Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, Kate visited a local garden center near her country estate Anmer Hall in Norfolk, England.

In an effort to help the country get back to normal, Kate visited the recently reopened local businesses in a solo outing. During her visit to the garden center, the Duchess of Cambridge met the owners and staff. According to People, she chatted with them about the safety precautions they're taking to keep employees and customers out of harm's way.

While talking with the staff at Fakenham Garden Centre, Kate shared that the only times she and Prince William left the house during the shutdown was to do their "food shopping." She also informed them that her three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, have begun growing their own tomato plants and are learning the importance of spending time outdoors.

'"They love it," Kate said of bringing her kids to garden centers. "It's such a great space for children and families to come to garden centers. I've been food shopping but I have to say I haven't been out a huge amount, but it's good and so important, now as things start to ease, people know they can go out and particularly to places like this."

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