We’ve had a slew of portraits of Kate Middleton and Prince William’s brood of mini-royals recently, but a new batch released by Kensington Palace on Sunday (May 19) might just be the most adorable ones yet. There’s some tough competition, too: In April, Middleton took new portraits of Prince Louis just before his first birthday. A week later, Middleton also shared new photos of Princess Charlotte in honor of the little one’s fourth birthday. It’s safe to say the kids have been looking as adorable as ever, but the new photos of those two, plus Prince George, might just take the cake. Bonus: Will and Kate appear in some, too.
The new portraits, released by Kensington Palace on Sunday, were taken amid the flora at the Royal Horticultural Society’s Chelsea Flower Show, which kicks off this week. But not just any gardens: The setting for the pics is a “Back to Nature”-themed garden the duchess designed herself for the event, inspired by how time spent outdoors benefits not just kids, but people’s well-being in general.
And honestly, the garden looks pretty dreamy. That’s partly thanks, no doubt, to some special assistants: George, Charlotte, and Louis apparently helped collect sticks, leaves, and pine cones from their home for the garden.
The pictures also capture a special milestone: Prince Louis is walking! (P.S. Those overalls he’s wearing? Prince George wore them first, back in 2014.)
The duchess is also pictured playfully swinging on a seat in the garden and working on its creation with some of the flower show’s teammates. There’s a secret nod to the children’s grandmother, Princess Diana, that Middleton worked into her forest garden, too: Look at the photo of Middleton in the rope swing, and you’ll see some forget-me-nots in there—Di’s favorite flower.
The garden ties in to Middleton’s larger work as a royal: “The Duchess has committed to making early childhood development the focus of her work in the years to come, and believes that providing children with the opportunity to spend time outdoors can play an important role,” Kensington Palace’s caption for one of the pictures reads.
“I really feel that nature and being interactive outdoors has huge benefits on our physical and mental wellbeing, particularly for young children,” she told the BBC. “I really hope that this woodland that we have created really inspires families, kids and communities to get outside, enjoy nature and the outdoors, and spend quality time together.”
