Tuesday, 21 October 2014

Kate returns

The Duchess of Cambridge made her first public appearance today since confirmation of her second pregnancy with two engagements.  From officially welcoming a head of state on behalf of the Queen to talking photography with young enthusiasts, after a two month absence Kate was back. And there may even have been the hint of a baby bump too.


The Duchess of Cambridge at the Young Wildlife Photographer of the Year awards
(photo Clarence House Twitter)

Kate's day started at the Royal Garden Hotel in central London where she and the Duke of Cambridge officially greeted the President of Singapore, Tony Tan, and his wife, Mary.  They accompanied them to Horse Guards Parade where they were met by the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh.


The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh greet the President of Singapore and his wife at the start of their State Visit
(photo British Monarchy Twitter)

After a welcome ceremony, also attended by David Cameron, the royals and their guests took part in a carriage procession to Buckingham Palace where the Queen hosted a private lunch and then gave the President and his wife a tour of some of the Singaporean items in the Royal Collection.  And the duchess was clearly enjoying herself, telling Mary Tan that she was glad to be out of the house again.



Kate chose a grey check Alexander McQueen coat with grey Jane Taylor hat and black shoes for her first pregnancy outfit second time round. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visited Singapore in the autumn of 2012 and joked with President Tan and his wife that the weather had been better last time they met.



Kate was back on duty later in the day when she was at the Natural History Museum in London for the Wildlife Photographer of the Year awards - she is the museum's patron.  And she looked stunning, and very happy, as she walked in wearing a Jenny Packham evening dress that - from some angles - showed the tiniest hint of a baby bump.


The duchess is still suffering from Hyperemsis Gravidarum but is recovering. And she looked healthy and well as she resumed her royal duties. The duchess is around twelve weeks pregnant and her second child is expected at the end of April 2015.  That recent confirmation of her due date attracted plenty of headlines as has Kate's return to work.  But by resuming her agenda, the duchess has added a touch of normality to her extraordinary life once more.

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