Princess of Wales: Catherine all smiles in South Wales, first ‘away day’ in 14 months after cancer diagnosis

Having her palm painted, sitting on the floor for a music therapy session and even trying her hand as a factory machinist, the Princess of Wales proved why she is such a class royal act on her first “away day’” in 14 months.

Throughout the last year, as she first underwent major abdominal surgery following her shock cancer diagnosis and subsequent treatment, Catherine’s presence has been sorely missed.

Thursday’s engagements in South Wales were a reminder not only of her star quality, in truth there simply isn’t another working royal with her pulling power – but also of how much the public genuinely warmed to the mother-of-three.

The first stop was Ty Hafan, a children’s hospice near Cardiff. Catherine was named patron, following in the footsteps of the King and Diana, Princess of Wales.

Having donated dozens of musical toys to the centre, which supports children with life-limiting conditions and their families, Catherine, 43, joined youngsters at a “stay and play’” event.

Immediately she crouched to speak to Dani-Rae, three, asking: “What do you like doing here? Are you having a good time?”.

She also joined in games, such as rolling a sparkly ball along the floor.

While speaking to Savanah-Blu, five, she placed her hand on her knee, saying: “I know what such a lifeline it is here and makes such a difference.”

The princess also helped four-year-old Maggie, a sibling of Felix, 12, who has rare and progressive Miller-Dieker syndrome and has been a patient at the hospice since he was a baby, make a handprint.

Refusing to stand on ceremony, Catherine grabbed her hand and said: “Shall we do it together? Would you like me to paint your hand?”

Lottie, 10, who is also Felix’s sister, then took her turn to paint the princess.

“I should have done my nails,” Catherine said, laughing.

She later signed the print, which will be digitised and put on the wall with others from children, their siblings and parents – and her father-in-law, King Charles.

On her second engagement, the princess collapsed in a fit of giggles and declared herself “terrible” at making socks as she visited the family-run textile business Corgi, near Swansea.

It has held a Royal Warrant from the King since 1992. Staff revealed he likes socks made “slightly longer”, which explains why His Majesty never displays even a glimpse of his leg when sitting down.

Shauna Kinsey, 24, showed Catherine how to link the toe to the sock, stitch by stitch, in their traditional hand-made way.

“It’s fiddly, definitely not my forte,” she said. “I’m sorry I’m so terrible.”

Catherine also gave a glimpse into the sweetly make-do-and-mend way she runs her family life, admitting she “archived” her children’s clothes.

“It’s so lovely to reuse the things that are made well,’ she said.

Owner Chris Jones’s daughter, Cari, 12, gave her a bespoke cream cashmere cardigan and – as a 70th birthday gift for her mother, Carole Middleton – a cashmere wrap.