Unsurprisingly, however, Kate went into the woods in style - in a pair of £300 leather-lined wellies.
The duchess was visiting an ‘Expanding Horizons’ primary school scheme at the Widehorizons Margaret McMillan House in Wrotham, Kent.
Camping out: Kate joined the youngsters under canvas
People's princess: The Duchess of Cambridge was totally at ease as she chatted with children and charity workers
The charitable Foundation of Prince William and Prince Harry is supporting ARK in its work and last year William and Kate attended a glitzy fundraising gala in London, their first engagement as a married couple.
On that occasion the Duchess wore a glittering rose Jenny Packham gown and sipped champagne as some of the wealthiest men and women in the capital partied well into the night.
Today, however, it was very much jeans and wellies as she stomped around in the woods with a group of 28 youngsters aged eight and nine.
Admittedly the wellingtons cost £300 but her skin-tight blue jeans were by High Street store Zara - costing £29.99 - as was her khaki jumper. Her matching shirt was by Burberry and her waterproof waistcoat by outdoor clothing company Really Wild.
Many of the youngsters had never been to the countryside before
Lady in grey: Yesterday the Duchess had look her glamorous best during the Trooping of the Colour
On its website, it boasts that the footwear has ‘full-grain leather’ lining for ‘warmth and comfort’ and is made using the ‘finest craftmanship’.
She also sported heavy make up and her hair had been curled, held back from her face by a black plastic clip.
The children Kate met came from the King Solomon Academy Primary School which is based in North Westminster, London. An area of high deprivation, more than 70 per cent of children under 15 in the area live in a jobless household.
For many of the children, aged between and eight and nine years old, it was the first time they had seen the countryside or been away from home.
Widehorizons run outdoor learning experiences and on their three-day residential course the children had learnt to sleep in tipi tents and take part in team-building activities including rope challenges, obstacle courses, campfire building and outdoor cooking.
Two of the youngsters showed the Duchess round their tipi.
Hats off to Catherine: After the elegance of
yesterday, the Duchess was happy to don her £300 Le Chameau wellies as
she joined in the children's camping trip
The youngsters asked Kate about how she was enjoying life in the Royal Family
Zahid Shanvere, eight, made Kate roar with laughter as he held open the tent flap for her and said: 'After you.'
'What a gentleman,' she said.
She was in fits of giggles again when the children told her that they had been a little scared on their first night out under the stars.
'What were you scared of? That a spider might creep in?' She asked.
'A mole,' said Zahid with enormous seriousness.
'Oh no have you never seen a mole before?' the Duchess asked.
As she left the tent she asked Zahid and his friend, Faith Kalala, nine, whether they had enjoyed breakfast outside. 'Thank you for showing me your bedroom,' she said.
Then it was out along a muddy path to the woods where the rest of the group were busy making shelters and camp fires.
The Duchess marvelled at their efforts 'Gosh, this is brilliant did you make it from things you found in the woods?' she asked.
The youngsters showed Kate around their tipi, and even told her they were nervous on their first night sleeping outside
Outdoor type: Kate sits around the campfire with the group of schoolchildren
One could be heard telling her he had been 'dead scared to go to the toilet' the night before.
Kate and the children were then shown how to make dough sticks over the camp fire, with the Duchess even trying a small bit of the smokey bread, which had been wrapped around a stick and cooked, and declaring it 'very nice'.
Some of the children asked her about her job and she replied:'It's very busy and great fun but I am very well looked after.'
Another asked her how long she would sit on the throne to which Kate said tactfully: 'It's not actually my job yet!'
Kate tried some of the food the children had made on their campfire
After joining the youngsters for a private lunch she left by helicopter for Gloucestershire where Prince William was due to play in a charity polo match.
ARK spokesman Lesley Smith said the children had enjoyed themselves tremendously.
'Many of the children here live in flat with no gardens and little area to play. This has been such an experience for them.'
Tigerlily Smith, eight, said the Duchess had been lovely. 'We asked how it felt to be a princess and she said it was very nice and she got to visit lots of countries but hadn't seen as many as William. She said William was very sweet and kind and spoiled her.'
Alpha Kolajo, nine added: 'We told her about our camping and how we made our shelter and she was very impressed.'
Shock
claims: The National Enquirer claims that Sofia Vergara's on/off
boyfriend Nick Loeb is a 'sex addict' who regularly indulges in
multiple-partner cocaine-fuelled orgies
Secrets: According to two prostitutes Nick has been hiding a secret from Sofia
Not
on the same page: According to one woman, Nick told her that Sofia
wasn't into the same things as he was when it came to the bedroom
The
way they were: Sofia and Nick were the picture of happiness at the
White House Correspondents' Dinner Cocktail Reception back in April
So in love: Alec Baldwin and fiancee Hilaria Thomas put on a tactile show in Malibu yesterday during a shopping trip
Thirsty work: The pair wore colour-coordinating outfits of beige and black as Alec sipped on a drink
Retail therapy: The 30 Rock actor escorted his wife-to-be on the shopping trip
Job done: They headed back to their car after getting a few purchases in
Keeping up: Alec has shed weight recently, perhaps in a bid to feel a bit more youthful alongside the yoga instructor

Lucky girls: Justin Bieber cuddles up to two female fans following an appearance on Spanish TV
Liking the leather: The 18-year-old poses for a photo while making an appearance on TV show El Hormiguero

Singing his heart out: Bieber performed one of his hits while in the studio
Happy to be here: The star looked relaxed and in good spirits as he sat through his interview

Special treat: Bieber sang to his fans that were waiting outside the studio in Madrid, Spai