Kate: It's an iron, Charles. Charles: I get my butler to iron my paper

PUBLISHED: 14:50 EST, 15 March 2012 | UPDATED: 18:42 EST, 15 March 2012
A day out with the in-laws: Not everyone's idea of fun, especially when your other half isn't there.
But if there are any burning issues between The Duchess of Cambridge and her husband's parents they were surely ironed out today as Kate stepped out for the first time with the Prince of Wales and Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, to visit one of Charles's charities.
The idea was to celebrate their shared love of the arts at Dulwich Picture Gallery in south London, but the royal party soon found themselves roped into some domestic duties.
The Prince of Wales (right) and the Duchess of Cambridge iron artwork they had just made to silk, during a visit to the Dulwich Picture Gallery in south London
The Prince of Wales (right) and the Duchess of Cambridge iron artwork they had just made to silk, during a visit to the Dulwich Picture Gallery in south London
A Clarence House spokesman said it came about from 'a conversation between a father-in-law and daughter-in-law' and added: 'They have a shared interest in art, art therapy and children.'
The day started with Kate, Charles and Camilla being greeted by hundreds of cheering schoolchildren waving Union flags when they arrived in bright sunshine.
Kate wore a dark grey Orla Kiely dress with black pattern detail on the top, and a pleated skirt. She wore a coat dress by the same designer on a previous engagement earlier this year.
 

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The outfit was completed with black high heels. Camilla wore a navy blue dress with white collar by Anna Valentine.
Pupils from Goodrich Community Primary School in East Dulwich, Globe Academy in Southwark, Langbourne Primary School and Luke’s C of E Primary School, in Dulwich, were among those attending the event.
They met children taking part in the Great Art Quest - a programme that introduces youngsters to local galleries, professional artists and storytellers. The Duchess of Cambridge recently made a visit to Oxford to see the work of art therapy charity The Art Room, of which she is patron.
Hands on: The hands of the Prince of Wales (right) and the Duchess of Cambridge ironing on artwork
Hands on: The hands of the Prince of Wales (right) and the Duchess of Cambridge ironing on artwork
The royal visitors took part in a class with children at the gallery’s art education centre, laughing and joking with each other as they got stuck in making collage self-portraits.
Kate cut out a heart shape from lace before putting it on her picture of a face in side profile. She also chose a leaf for her design.
Sitting next to Charles, they compared designs and she asked: 'What else do you think we should do?'
She joked to the children: 'This is going to look rather interesting!'
Prince Charles and Camilla can't help having a giggle as they get produce the artwork with children
Prince Charles and Camilla can't help having a giggle as they get produce the artwork with children
Charles and Kate were greeted by hundreds of cheering schoolchildren waving Union flags
Charles and Kate were greeted by hundreds of cheering schoolchildren waving Union flags
Charles roared with laughter at his own attempt, featuring pine needles, and that of his wife. They then went to transfer their designs onto silk, using an iron to complete the masterpieces.
Each gamely wielded an iron to carry out the task, with Charles saying: 'I don’t think I put on eyebrows. Do I keep ironing that? I’m going to be here all afternoon!'
He commented to his daughter-in-law: 'Catherine, I don’t think yours is going to work. I’m leaving mine!'
Kate arrives in bright sunshine to visit The Prince's Foundation for Children and the Arts with her in-laws
Kate arrives in bright sunshine to visit The Prince's Foundation for Children and the Arts with her in-laws
Pupils from Goodrich Community Primary School in East Dulwich, Globe Academy in Southwark, Langbourne Primary School and Luke's C of E Primary School, in Dulwich, were among those attending the event
Pupils from Goodrich Community Primary School in East Dulwich, Globe Academy in Southwark, Langbourne Primary School and Luke's C of E Primary School, in Dulwich, were among those attending the event
Prince Charles wanted to introduce the Duchess of Cambridge to the work his charity does in south London
Prince Charles wanted to introduce the Duchess of Cambridge to the work his charity does in south London
Prince Charles wanted to introduce the Duchess of Cambridge to the work his charity does in south London
The royal party is greeted by a sea of Union flags as they walk into the premises used by one of the Prince of Wales's charities
The royal party is greeted by a sea of Union flags as they walk into the premises used by one of the Prince of Wales's charities
Kate, who earlier in the day had visited the Olympic Park in Stratford, east London, told one of the children: 'Yours is so much better. Look at that. That’s amazing.' Asked later if it was the first time Charles had done the ironing, Camilla said with a smile: 'I’ve got him well-trained with an iron.'
While watching the children doing artwork in the room, the Sackler Centre for Arts Education, Camilla was approached by 10-year-old Adina James, who asked: 'Are you Camilla?'
The Duchess replied: 'That's me!' and knelt on the floor to better see the young girl's work. Adina said of the royal visitor: 'I was shocked to speak to her. She was very nice and very kind.'
The Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Charles were joined by the Duchess of Cornwall
The Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Charles were joined by the Duchess of Cornwall, who wore a navy blue dress with white trim by Anna Valentine
Kate, wearing a dark grey Orla Kiely dress with black pattern detail on the top, bends to talk to the children
Kate, wearing a dark grey Orla Kiely dress with black pattern detail on the top, bends to talk to the children
Kate was participating in the Great Art Quest today at a project run by Children & the Arts
Kate and her father-in-law seemed to be getting on just fine as they made their way in
Kate and her father-in-law seemed to be getting on just fine as they made their way in
Told that another child did not speak English as she is Spanish, Camilla smiled and said: 'Buenos dias.'
Inside the main galleries, Camilla was shown a drama performance inspired by some of the artworks.
The royal visitors also observed groups of children drawing their own versions of the works on display, as well as creating colourful self portraits on easels set up in the gallery.
Serena Lewis showed her work to Camilla. The 10-year-old said: 'She told me my picture was good. It made me feel horrified and happy at the same time.'
Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, gave a little waves to the crowd as Prince Charles rubbed his eye
Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, gave a little waves to the crowd as Prince Charles rubbed his eye
Kate was making her first visit to a centre run by The Prince's Foundation for Children and the Arts
Kate was making her first visit to a centre run by The Prince's Foundation for Children and the Arts
Kate was making her first visit to a centre run by The Prince's Foundation for Children and the Arts
The Duchess of Cambridge speaks with schoolchildren as she leaves after her visit to the Dulwich Picture Gallery
The Duchess of Cambridge speaks with schoolchildren as she leaves after her visit to the Dulwich Picture Gallery
Charles took a particular interest in a picture of a young Queen Victoria which was being used as inspiration by one group of budding artists, some of whom were in historical dress.
Kate smiled at those in costume, saying to them: 'Someone's having to stay very still. Are we making you laugh?'
The royals spoke to children taking part in Face Britain, as part of the Great Art Quest, which sees them make self-portraits which will be beamed on to the front of Buckingham Palace in April to mark the start of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations.
Duchess of Cambridge
Duchess of Cambridge
Duchess of Cambridge
The Duchess of Cambridge plays hockey with the GB teams at the Riverside Arena in the Olympic Park today
Duchess of Cambridge
Duchess
Kate asked to meet the team in her role as Team GB and Paralympics GB 2012 Ambassador because of her love for the sport
Duchess of Cambridge
The Duchess seemed to be reliving her school days as she appeared to be having fun on the pitch
As well as individual artworks, the pictures will be collated as a mosaic in the shape of the Queen's face, using a photograph by veteran photographer Arthur Edwards as the template.
When Kate was introduced to him at the gallery today, she remarked on her brother-in-law Prince Harry's blue suede shoes, which he wore on his recent tour and which were photographed by Edwards, joking: 'I didn't think they were going to be that bright.'
Speaking after the royal party's departure, following an hour-long visit, Gillian Wolfe, director of learning and public affairs at Dulwich Picture Gallery, said: 'It has been absolutely sublime. The kids were fantastic.
Duchess of Cambridge poses with the GB Mens's Hockey Team
Kate, who wore heels before the game, posed with the GB Mens's Hockey Team 
Duchess of Cambridge
Duchess of Cambridge
The Duchess kept on her jeans but swapped her blazer for a grey GB sweatshirt and Adidas trainers when she played
'The difference this has made to them is enormous. They are nine feet tall now. They will never forget the prestige they feel over this. When the royals sat down and worked together in the education centre, it was beautiful. It was just like a normal classroom, everyone in it together.
'Charles asked one girl if he was doing it right, and she said 'No!' - not 'No, sir!'. It was a lovely moment. The Duchess of Cambridge said she would like to visit again.'
Jeremy Newton, chief executive of The Prince's Foundation for Children and the Arts, said: 'It was fantastically exciting. Both the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall have spent quite a bit of time finding out about the charity, but it was the first time the Duchess of Cambridge had come to see us.
'Obviously the children adore her, and she adores the children. She greatly enjoyed seeing their artwork. All of the pupils are saying they will never forget this day, as long as they live. It's been a complete revelation for them that royals are normal people. They've had a lovely time.'
 
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It's sad that every time I read a story about this girl, I know it's a given that sad bitter people will be spouting jealous bile on the comments section. The fact that so many people show up to meet her wherever she goes shows that there is a lot of love out there for her and that the haters are in a minority. She's been thrown in at the deep end and is doing great and it's fab that the older royals are taking an active role in supporting her and easing her into the role of a royal.
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"...We wouldn't need so much charity if we could keep our money and let us take care of each other." - Seriously, Harrow, Middx, 16/3/2012 05:44_______Really? Honestly? You believe that? I don't. I come from a country that did away with royalty in 1776. We have just as many problems with needing monies for charities. No matter how you slice it, the Government or State will take your money one way or the other. Besides, the majority of those who have excess tend to keep it. I am not saying there are wealthy people who do not give generously to charities, but there are more who do not. Anyway, rich or poor, there is always a way to help - either with time or money. Having someone such as a Royal as Patron helps to bring in money from their well heeled acquaintances etc., and raise awareness. As for Kate's eye "wrinkles" at her age, they are laugh lines, symptomatic of someone who laughs and smiles a lot - genuinely - and the smile reaches the eyes.
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My goodness! 'Seriously from Harrow' - you have one big problem! How sad you should be so bitter and twisted!
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Some really unpleasant comments. 'The Firm' may well be using Kate to spruce up Charles, why not?Iit is a business as well as a family. Personally I am thrilled to see Charles and Camilla laughing. I think Kate, William and Harry will prove to offer huge benefits to the Monarchy and our tourist trade Camila too seems to have settled into her role. I despised her initially but time moves on and if the boys are happy to have her in their life so am I. Kate always looks stunning, a beautiful role model without a doubt. To be fair whatever she does there will be the jealous snipes, but I for one support our Monarchy and I am so proud of the Queen and the three amigos, William, Kate and Harry.
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What beautiful pictures! It's lovely to see the fun side of the royals and Kate seems to lighten up everyone around her.
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Just how many royals does it take to change a light bulb? Why so many overpaid, overrated and totally irrelevant royals visiting a charity? Oh! I forgot they are a charity supported by donations from the taxpayer. An anachronism- they should be consigned to history. The truth is this is actually another way of shoving that artificially created celebrity, Kate, down our throats.
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The Duchess of Cambridge appears to bring out the joy in everyone. Some of these shots are the best I've ever seen of Charles and Camilla. They both look more relaxed in her company than we've seen for a very long time. You go girl!
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i actually think her hair's beautiful, the length, the colour and the curls at the end.
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Some lovely happy photographs, thank you DM, sad about the bitter twisted folk and their nasty remarks though.
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They all look so genuinely happy. I'm actually beginning to like the Royals. Stop the snobby comments about Kate's mother's air stewardess days, it's childish.
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