In a newly shared Instagram photo from last week, the Princess of Wales was seen trying out an adorable toy during her visit to HMP Styal’s Mother and Baby Unit: the My First Puppet Rabbit from The Puppet Company. With its oversized ears and friendly expression, the hand puppet added a playful touch to her visit.
Smiling warmly while interacting with a baby, Kate appeared completely at ease with puppet play—suggesting she likely used similar games at home when Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, nine, and Prince Louis, six, were younger.
Reacting to the sweet moment, The Puppet Company’s co-founder, Sue Lockey, said: “We absolutely love our friendly rabbit hand puppet—it’s a perfect gift for Easter or a new baby. Seeing the Princess of Wales enjoying it was truly delightful. This cheeky bunny will now forever be known as our ‘Royal Rabbit’!”
The brand, which encourages learning through play, emphasizes that puppets can spark children’s imagination, promote language development, and even provide comfort in difficult moments—what they call “The Power of Puppets.”
Since Kate’s visit, demand for the My First Rabbit puppet has surged. The company shared: “We’ve had a huge amount of interest in our rabbit puppets since Kate was pictured playing with one. Many parents and grandparents have told us their little ones have been playing with the same puppet for years, which is wonderful to hear.”
Encouraging Creativity at Home
Beyond puppet play, Kate’s artistic influence is also evident in her children’s creative pursuits.
During the February half-term break, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis took part in their mother’s Shaping Us early years initiative, engaging in a fun and interactive project—drawing portraits of one another. The charming sketches were later shared on Instagram, delighting royal fans.
As part of the initiative, Kate and The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood encourage families to embrace creativity together. One of their suggestions is for parents and children to create portraits of each other through drawing, painting, or modeling as a way to strengthen their connection.
With a love for both art and imaginative play, it’s clear that Kate is not only fostering her children’s creativity but also inspiring families everywhere to do the same.
