Kate Hosts Kids at a Production of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

By Simon Perry

06/16/2012 at 09:30 AM EDT

The Duchess of Cambridge brought smiles to the faces of many children on Friday.

She joined 150 young people from the Art Room, a charity that Kate, 30, volunteers with, aimed at 5 to 16-year-olds who experience emotional and behavioral difficulties.

The group was treated to a special production of C.S. Lewis's The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by Threesixty Entertainment in the historic grounds of Kensington Gardens.

"Did you see all the animals on stilts? Wasn't it amazing?" she asked the children, adding, "I just loved the way it is held in a tent – really clever."



Kate was also overheard telling the kids, "Some of the characters are really quite frightening. I hope you [didn't] get too scared."

Clad in a blue dress from High Street store Zara, and a Whistles black jacket, Prince William's wife is pictured smiling and leaning down to chat with one of the little girls.