It's hockey in high heels for Kate as Duchess goes back to prep school she adored

It's not quite the requisite footwear for a game of hockey.
But it would take more than a pair of high-heeled boots to come between this particular former captain and the Astroturf.
The Duchess of Cambridge seemed delighted to be back on the pitch at her old prep school, St Andrew's, yesterday - even if she had forgotten her kit.

She's game! Heels proved no obstacle for Kate as she took to the hockey pitch wearing knee-high boots

Kate, 30, who 'adored' her time at her prep school in Pangbourne, Berkshire, confessed to the moniker when she was chatting to a group of young children in the pre-Prep part of the £16,950-a-year school.
During the visit, appropriately on St Andrew's Day, the annual celebration of the patron saint of Scotland, Kate officially opened a new Astroturf hockey pitch.
She also revealed that as a pupil she was nicknamed Squeak - just like the school's pet guinea pig.
She asked them if they kept pets at school and told how when she was at St Andrews, the school had two guinea pigs. 'There was one called Pip and one called Squeak, so my sister was called Pip and I was Squeak,‘ she said.

more picture after the cut

Sporting star: Kate smiles for her team hockey photo (centre front row) at school which she said were some of her 'happiest years'

Still got the skills: Kate was a talented hockey player and won various awards for her sporting prowess while she was a pupil

Going in for a tackle: The Duchess got stuck in with the match, watched by a crowd of delighted youngsters

 

In the short speech she gave, the Duchess described her time at St Andrew's as some of the 'happiest years of my life.'‪

She said: 'It is such a treat l to be back here at St Andrew’s. I absolutely loved my time here; they were some of my happiest years, which makes it so incredibly special to be here today. 
In fact, I enjoyed it so much that when I had to leave, I told my mother that I was going to come back to be a teacher.  While that didn’t quite happen, I was thrilled to have been asked back today on St. Andrew's Day.‬
'It was while I was here at school that I realised my love of sport. Sport has been a huge part of my life, and I feel incredibly grateful for the opportunities I had to get outside and play in such wonderful open spaces - though sadly there was nothing quite as glamorous as this in my time!
'I hope that you all enjoy playing sport here as much as I used to, and make the most of these incredible facilities.'

Back to school: The Duchess of Cambridge visited St Andrew's prep school, where she spent nine happy years as a girl, to join in their St Andrew's celebrations

 

Bet she wishes she'd brought her trainers! Game Kate took up the hockey stick with gusto - but her smart boots weren't the most sensible footwear for the occasion

 

 

 

 

  'It's still hard to imagine her becoming Queen one day, but I can tell you one thing, the royals are lucky to have her.'

Tribute: 'It's still hard to imagine her becoming Queen one day, but I can tell you one thing, the royals are lucky to have her,' one of Kate's contemporaries remarked

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MEMORIES OF THE GOOD OLD DAYS...

Happy time: Kate, seen here celebrating a victory on the hockey pitch, is said to have adored her time at St Andrew's school, where she excelled at sport and music

What a champ! Kate Middleton (back row, third left) is pictured in a tennis team photo during her St Andrew's days

Sporty: Kate (front row, centre) was the highest scorer in the 12/13 rounders team at St Andrew's when she attended

Set for success: Kate (back row, centre) excelled at netball as well as hockey and rounders - and her height made her a demon Goal Defence