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ROYAL RETREAT

Inside Kate Middleton and William’s HUGE Norfolk garden as they isolate with George, Charlotte and Louis

KATE Middleton and Prince William are currently self-isolating with their three kids, but life isn’t so bad when you have a 10-bedroom country home to retreat to. 

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have taken their young brood to Anmer Hall in Norfolk, which offers the kids the chance to run and play in the extensive grounds. 

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Yesterday, the couple released a heartwarming video of Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis taking part in the Clap for Carers event
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Yesterday, the couple released a heartwarming video of Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis taking part in the Clap for Carers event

A source told Fabulous: “George, Charlotte and Louis are now relishing their freedom in the spacious gardens of Anmer Hall. 

“Climbing frames, a climbing wall and swings are a big part of the Cambridge outdoors activity scene, and Kate will do pond dipping and note-taking to log what they have spotted. 

“Birdwatching with binoculars is another favourite of the kids.”

While many Brits are confined to planning their one form of outside exercise a day during the coronavirus outbreak, with acres of grounds, Prince George, six, and Princess Charlotte, four, can explore all day long without getting bored.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are currently self-isolating with their three kids at their countryside home, Anmer Hall in Norfolk
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The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are currently self-isolating with their three kids at their countryside home, Anmer Hall in NorfolkCredit: Getty - Contributor
This sweet photo of Prince George playing with the family dog Lupo at Anmer Hall was released for this third birthday
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This sweet photo of Prince George playing with the family dog Lupo at Anmer Hall was released for this third birthdayCredit: PA:Press Association

And the young tots can also take a dip in the royal residence’s swimming pool or knock around some balls on the private tennis court to keep active in the sun. 

The source added: “Once their school work from Thomas’s Battersea has been dealt with satisfactorily, both George and Charlotte enjoy tennis lessons on their green court. 

“Much shouting and scurrying is seen. Kate plays almost daily with the children and they like their practise sessions with her.

“Louis is even getting the hang of football, and is quite proficient with his footy mad dad William.”

Princess Charlotte has been captured enjoying the grounds as a young tot, in this shot shared for her second birthday
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Princess Charlotte has been captured enjoying the grounds as a young tot, in this shot shared for her second birthdayCredit: PA:Press Association

According to the source, Norland nanny Maria Borrallo is keen that the kids get “as much time as possible in the fresh air.”

They added: “They are competitive children and like to have running races against Kate and William. 

“They do like to earn a prize, however and a frozen sorbet lolly or an ice cream does the trick!”

The insider said Kate and William do frequent FaceTime calls and send videos to the Middleton parents, Carole and Michael. 

They added: “The children like to see their grandparents’ reaction to their outdoorsy lifestyle.”

Anmer Hall is a 10-bedroom Georgian home and was a wedding gift to William and Kate from the Queen
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Anmer Hall is a 10-bedroom Georgian home and was a wedding gift to William and Kate from the QueenCredit: Rex Features
The family love going to the countryside pad for some quality family time
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The family love going to the countryside pad for some quality family timeCredit: Matt Porteous

Anmer Hall was originally built in 1802 and was given as a lavish wedding present from the Queen to William and Kate after they tied the knot in 2011. 

The family frequently escape to the country from their Kensington Palace home in London, to spend time together in the private gardens on the estate. 

Sadly the heated outdoor pool is typically not ready to be swam in until April, according to the source. 

They continued: “Both George and Charlotte love the water and are able swimmers after their Buckingham Palace swimming lessons.”

This beautiful family shot of the Cambridges giving piggybacks at Anmer Hall was shared on Mother's Day
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This beautiful family shot of the Cambridges giving piggybacks at Anmer Hall was shared on Mother's DayCredit: Matt Porteous

Over meal times, the family typically spent their time inside their glass-lined "garden room”. 

The source said: “The garden room where a large dining table is set daily, sees the Cambridge children discussing their gardening techniques over lunch or tea.

“They each have a favourite garden patch to grow something seasonal.”

The family love spotting nature in the grounds, playing football and swimming in the pool
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The family love spotting nature in the grounds, playing football and swimming in the poolCredit: Rex Features

Kate has been known to whip out the camera to take snaps of her kids playing there, and many official portraits have been taken in the picturesque grounds. 

This includes the recent heartwarming shot that was released on Mother’s Day, showing Will and Kate giving their eldest two children piggybacks in the Anmer Hall grounds. 

A source at the children's school Thomas's Battersea, in south London, told Fabulous Digital that teachers are sending assignments for pupils to complete where possible during the coronavirus lockdown.

No doubt Kate and Maria will be keeping the youngsters up-to-date with their studies, but the duchess will also be enforcing the importance of outdoor play.

Kate has said in the past: “I believe that spending time outdoors when we are young can play a role in laying the foundations for children to become happy, healthy adults.”

And she will likely be encouraging the kids to partake in one of their favourite outside activities; spider hunting. 

When they are at Anmer Hall, the family love being able to live a relatively normal life
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When they are at Anmer Hall, the family love being able to live a relatively normal lifeCredit: PA:Press Association

The outside space also provides ample space for the family’s dog, Lupo, a black cocker spaniel who joined the family soon after Prince George was born.

The source added: “Louis loves throwing balls and squeaky toys for Lupo, and once their beloved dog is exhausted, he will join the rest of the family on their Johnsons of Elgin tartan rugs on the lawn.”

When they are at Anmer Hall, the family love being able to live a relatively normal life. 

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Under normal circumstances, Kate often pops into the local shops – including her favourite Waitrose – without drawing too much attention to herself. 

And Prince William has been seen cycling down country lanes and popping with Kate for pub lunches in local villages. 

However, during this visit, the family will be expected to follow government guidance in staying at home, to prevent the spread of the virus. 

The family also love to play tennis on the property's private court
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The family also love to play tennis on the property's private courtCredit: PA:Press Association

Privacy is paramount at Anmer Hall, which sits on the Queen’s 20,000 acre Sandringham Estate, and there is a no-fly zone over the property. 

Just before the family used Anmer Hall as their full-time home and base after Princess Charlotte was born and William was working for the East Anglian Air Ambulance, security measures were upped on the property. 

Trees and copious foliage was planted on the exterior to shield the home away from prying eyes. 

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