Princess Kate's 'very special' surprise for son Prince George that went badly wrong

The Princess of Wales has a great many talents – she loves playing the piano, is a whizz behind the camera, and has a passion for art. 

But Catherine, 44, once revealed that there was one activity she couldn't quite get to grips with – and it meant a surprise for her eldest son, Prince George, couldn't go ahead as planned. 

When she was pregnant with George in 2013, the Princess tried to learn how to knit, so that he could wear some handmade clothes. 

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During a trip to Glasgow that year, she admitted to well-wishers: "I've been trying to knit, and I'm really bad. I should be asking for tips!"

In early 2020, Catherine stunned royal fans in Bradford by revealing she failed at knitting a "very special jumper" for her firstborn.

Speaking candidly during a visit to an organisation called Older Yet Wiser, she said: "I tried knitting when I first had George. I tried to knit him a very special jumper, but I got halfway down, and it splattered. It's such an amazing skill."

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Catherine admits she misses Prince George while he's at Eton

Time flies, and now baby Prince George is away boarding at Eton College in Windsor, just like his father, Prince William, before him. 

During a visit to a charity shop run by East Anglia Children's Hospices (EACH) last week, the Princess revealed she has "missed" her son while he's been away. 

Prince George, as well as his siblings, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, who attend Lambrook School in Berkshire, is now on half-term. 

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The Princess spoke to friends Denise Ashton, 68, and Essie Landsborough, 75, who were sitting in the charity shop’s cafe area when Catherine came over for a chat.

Denise said afterwards: "She said she’s looking forward to George coming home – she’s missed him."

"They may be going somewhere (during the break)," she added.

The young Prince started at the school in September with the reassuring presence of his parents by his side, and began his "long leave" break on Friday, which lasts two weeks.

The Princess of Wales's favourite hobbies

Though knitting may not have gone to plan, the Princess luckily has a range of other hobbies she enjoys. 

For example, she's known to love beekeeping and has previously revealed she makes honey at the family's countryside home, Anmer Hall in Norfolk. 

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During a garden party in May, the Princess revealed she had started playing padel with her parents, Carole and Michael Middleton. 

The royal mother of three also revealed she loves wild swimming during an appearance on Mike Tindall's podcast, The Good, The Bad, and The Rugby, in 2023.

She said: "Personally, I love swimming. Cold swimming, the colder [the water] the better."

"I absolutely love it. It's slightly to the point where William is like, 'you're crazy,'" she added.