The Duchess of Cambridge has fed lambs and petted alpacas as she visited an open farm in Northern Ireland.
Kate stopped at the Ark Open Farm in Newtownards as part of her tour of the UK after launching a landmark national survey on the early years development of children.
The duchess was guided around the facility, meeting a range of animals from lambs, goats and alpacas.
She was also pictured admiring a Guinea pig with a child from a local nursery during the visit on Wednesday.
The Duchess of Cambridge at The Ark Open Farm in Belfast
Kate was greeted on arrival by the Lord Lieutenant of Co Down David Lindsay, the Sheriff of Co Down Austin Baird and the Mayor of Ards and North Down Bill Keery.
The visit comes after the mother-of-three last month launched a landmark national survey on the early years development of children.
The poll, conducted by Ipsos Mori on behalf of the Royal Foundation, is thought to be the biggest survey of its kind and will ask “five big questions on the under-fives”.
During Wednesday's visit, Kate is set to meet with local representatives of Early Years and families who have benefited from the work of the charity.
Kate has established a steering group of experts, which first met in May 2018, to look at the issue of early years and they have been considering how the duchess and her Royal Foundation can help improve the outcomes for youngsters.
The duchess's survey will run for a month, from January 21 to February 21, and will ask those taking the poll five questions to gauge their views about early years
