Queen Up And About At Last, Joined By Pregnant Kate Middleton At London Anniversary Event
A five-months pregnant Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge, joined the Queen at a London event today that marked the 150th anniversary of the city’s underground transportation system.
The Queen’s husband, Prince Phillip, the Duke of Edinburgh, was also at the event.
The anniversary ceremony, held at London’s Baker Street underground station, also marks the first time the monarch has been seen out at a public engagement since pulling out of a number of scheduled dates following her hospitalization for gastroenteritis on Sunday, March 3.
The last time the 86-year-old ruler was seen at an engagement was on March 11 when she signed the Commonwealth’s new equal rights charter, although she pulled out of a Westminster Abbey service concert beforehand.
Both the Queen and Kate dressed for a brisk, London morning. Kate, in a short, teal Malene Birger overcoat, while her grandmother-in-law wore a beige Karl Ludwig coat with an Angela Kelly hat.
Kate, reportedly laughed when she was presented with a “Baby on Board” badge by staff at the station. Typically worn by expectant mothers (families) when they travel, according to The Mirror, Kate said: “I’ll make sure I wear it at home.”
The mother-to-be added: “I used to travel on the tube on a regular basis.”
The royal trio were guided around a restored 1892 carriage, which was part of the first stretch of the network when it opened in January 1863.
Sir Peter Hendy, Transport for London Commissioner, managing director Mike Brown, the London Underground’s CEO Howard Collins greeted the royal party at the morning event.
Today’s surprise appearance by Kate was second official engagement for the Duchess in a week. Yesterday she joined Prince William on a visit to a Child Bereavement center in Buckinghamshire, for a charity that William patrons.
Speaking to parents who had suffered a bereavement, the young Royals broke with royal tradition and embraced the grieving parents.
How do you think Kate looks in her developing pregnancy?
[Image via piotr adamski / Shutterstock.com]
