Duchess Catherine made her first ever solo appearance with the Queen on Tuesday, accompanying her to Kings College London to open Bush House, the latest education and learning facilities on the university’s Strand Campus.
The Queen opted for a beautiful Stewart Parvin pink cashmere coat worn over a silk printed dress and matching hat, while Kate wore an elegant grey Catherine Walker coat dress and a black fascinator by Sylvia Fletcher.
Kate looked elegant in a grey Catherine Walker coat dress. (Image: Getty)
According to People, since Kate’s marriage into the Royal Family in 2011 she has never made a public appearance with the Queen without another member of the Royal family, however it is noted that ahead of Kate and Prince William’s wedding, the Queen viewed Kate’s wedding dress with her privately.
On the other hand, just months after marrying Harry, Meghan accompanied the Queen in Cheshire, where the two travelled by train to the Storyhouse Theatre and lunched at the Chester Town Hall.
During the visit to King’s College the pair viewed a robotics demonstration, which included robotic surgery, which Kate stretching out her hand to shake the robotic one.
“Very nice to meet you,” People reports the Duchess saying.
And when the hand gripped hers back, she reportedly laughed and said, “so strange”.
King’s College is the fourth oldest university in England and research carried out at the university has led to the developments of radio, TV, mobile phones and radar, as well the as the discovery of the structure of DNA.
But this wasn’t the only outing for the Duchess of Cambridge on Tuesday, earlier in the day it had been announced that Kate had been made patron of Foundling Museum, which tells the history of Foundling Hospital, the UK’s first children’s charity and public art gallery.
In a statement released by the Palace, it states the Duchess’ longstanding interest in both the arts and supporting vulnerable families made her the perfect fit for the role of patron, as it will “further highlight the beneficial impact that art and creativity has on emotional wellbeing.”
Following the announcement earlier that day that Kate had been made patron of Foundling Museum, the Duchess visited the museum in the afternoon, to hear about the great work they’re doing to support vulnerable families. (Image: Getty)
Following her visit to the university Kate made her way to the museum where she learnt how the organisation works with art and artists to transform the lives of vulnerable and marginalised young people.
The Duchess also visited the museum’s ‘Bedrooms of London’ exhibition, which documents the living conditions of London’s most disadvantaged children and joined a ‘Tracing our Tales’ training session, inspired the exhibition and by explorations of fear and safety.
Speaking at the museum the Duchess spoke about the honour she felt in becoming patron, as she believes the work the museum does connects and celebrates two subjects that are deeply important to her: children, and art.
“I have always believed in the power of art, not only to unlock that creativity, but also to bring us joy, and to inspire, challenge and positively change our lives,” Kate said.
“Your museum here powerfully links these two forces for good. By weaving together the moving stories of looked after children, with art and artists of all genres, you create meaningful learning experiences which will have a lasting, and often transformational, impact on young lives.”
Speaking of the Duchess’ appointment as patron, Director of the Foundling Museum Caro Howell says, “The Foundling Museum is thrilled and honoured to receive The Duchess’s patronage.
“Her support is a huge boost to our work transforming the lives of vulnerable young people through the arts.”
Meanwhile, Kate’s husband Prince William attended an Investiture at Buckingham Palace where he honoured Dr Mark Prince, founder of the Kiyan Prince Foundation, with an OBE, for his services towards tackling knife and gang crime in London, along with honouring Joanna Bostock and Tamsin Parlour with MBEs for their services to gender equality in sport.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge also made a public appearance on Tuesday, visiting New Zealand House to pay their respects and sign the book of condolence on behalf of the Royal Family.
Their message of solidarity follows the horrific terrorist attacks that occurred at two mosques in Christchurch last week, killing innocent 50 people.
