Princess ahoy! The day Kate Middleton was given her royal launch 26/02/1011
IT wasn’t exactly an event on the scale of a royal wedding, and as walkabouts go, probably not too testing either.
Even the boat she launched was a humble inflatable – hardly the Ark Royal.
But for a certain Miss Catherine Middleton, yesterday was a crucially important milestone in the life of a princess in waiting.
With a dazzling smile (and a craftily cut-down herringbone overcoat) she launched herself on the royal stage with the kind of confidence few might have expected from someone so new to public duty.
Why, she even looked as if she was enjoying it.
This was Kate’s first official public engagement alongside Prince William and their formal debut in Anglesey, where they will make their home.
And after naming a lifeboat that she christened with champagne, the Prince, perhaps appropriately, threw her in at the metaphorical deep end.
But within seconds, she appeared to have charmed a crowd of more than 1,000 people, who had been waiting hours in a cold and blustery wind for a glimpse of the couple – and, in particular, for a peek at the bride-to-be.
One small walkabout for Miss Middleton; a giant leap for her public profile.
You couldn’t quite call it Middleton mania, but they certainly seemed to like her. She shook hands, shared jokes and made small-talk with the punters. She even anointed a West Highland terrier with a friendly pat on the head. Blimey. Even the dogs were fans.
And although she was surrounded by a posse of minders and organisers – not to mention some beefy looking lifeboatmen – she never once had to send up a distress flare.
It’s probably safe to assume she had been coached by aides before embarking on this rather gentle introduction to the work of The Firm, but the style was all her own.
She certainly brought lightness to a somewhat sombre ceremony – the dedication of an RNLI inshore lifeboat, the Hereford Endeavour, that will almost certainly be called into action soon to save lives.
And in front of a largely Welsh audience, she also appeared to have taken the precaution of learning the Welsh national anthem, at least to a standard where she did a passable impersonation of singing it.
The couple have spent a good deal of time around Anglesey, where the Prince is stationed as a helicopter pilot.
They have a house here and eat and drink in local restaurants and pubs. Kate was spotted buying a printer in Argos the other day.
Given the inflatable nature of the RNLI vessel, Miss Middleton’s formal duty was to pour bubbly over the bow rather than smash the bottle.
With the vessel duly launched, the pair then embarked on the other reason for this joint visit – introducing the latest royal recruit to the people.
Kate had her hair tied back in a pony tail and wore a fascinator composed of silk velvet and a tunic button from the Royal Welch Fusiliers.
Someone thrust a bunch of limp-looking daffs at her. ‘Thank you so much!’ she said. ‘They’re lovely!’ She clutched them for a full ten paces before an aide took them. By the end of the crowd she had more bouquets than she could carry.
‘You look nice and warm,’ she told seven-year-old Freya Ainsworth, shivering in the bitter cold. Laughs all round, and a little girl who will remember that moment for life.
Those of us who think they might have seen all this before found ourselves making inevitable comparisons with Princess Diana. She, too, brought fresh air to stuffy royal occasions, and she was clearly on other minds yesterday.
Colin Edwards, a veteran follower of matters royal, brandished a framed photograph of Diana with William and Harry in short trousers. Oh-oh. Potential blunder alert.
‘Oh my goodness,’ shrieked Kate, grabbing the photo and pointing at William. ‘Look at his knees!’
As far as anyone could tell, Miss Middleton successfully steered a steady path for the 20 or so minutes she spent with the people. No one heard her come out with any lines from the Duke of Edinburgh school of diplomacy.
Granted, it was only an outing to name a lifeboat. But her double act with William will soon become much more frequent. And one day, of course, she might find herself naming a ship Queen Catherine
Even the boat she launched was a humble inflatable – hardly the Ark Royal.
But for a certain Miss Catherine Middleton, yesterday was a crucially important milestone in the life of a princess in waiting.
Now scroll down for the video
Smiling and waving for the crowds, Kate Middleton performed adeptly on her first official appearance
Why, she even looked as if she was enjoying it.
This was Kate’s first official public engagement alongside Prince William and their formal debut in Anglesey, where they will make their home.
And after naming a lifeboat that she christened with champagne, the Prince, perhaps appropriately, threw her in at the metaphorical deep end.
But within seconds, she appeared to have charmed a crowd of more than 1,000 people, who had been waiting hours in a cold and blustery wind for a glimpse of the couple – and, in particular, for a peek at the bride-to-be.
Royal role: Kate Middleton, right, greets children as Princess Diana did. Left the Princess of Wales meets Bosnian children in 1997
WHERE HAVE WE SEEN THAT INSTANT RAPPORT BEFORE?
PERFECTLY at ease as she bent to speak to her youngest fans yesterday, Kate Middleton drew flattering comparisons with the late Princess Diana, pictured left on a visit to Bosnia in 1997.
Prince William’s bride-to-be was described as a ‘natural’ with the crowds. She was clearly delighted to receive a kiss from a slightly older admirer (below).
Prince William’s bride-to-be was described as a ‘natural’ with the crowds. She was clearly delighted to receive a kiss from a slightly older admirer (below).
Support from the Prince: Kate performed admirably on her first Royal appointment
Praise: Kate Middleton looked every inch a Royal as Prince William addressed the crowd at the Trearddur Bay Lifeboat Station
THE £16,000 DINGHY LAUNCHED BY KATE AND WILLS
The 25ft-long Hereford Endeavour launched by Kate and Wills costs £160,000 and is one of the RNLI’s most advanced craft, with a tough carbon-fibre hull and capable of 35 knots – 40 mph.
Carrying four crew and with room for 20 survivors, it has special engines that work even after a capsize.
Carrying four crew and with room for 20 survivors, it has special engines that work even after a capsize.
Stunning: Kate's chocolate-brown bespoke headpiece was handcrafted by Salisbury-based Vivien Sheriff. Designed this year, it is decorated with feathers and military button
FASCINATING CHOICE OF HEADWEAR
AS well as her restyled coat, it was Kate Middleton’s striking silk velvet fascinator – with a spray of pheasant feathers – which drew the attention of onlookers yesterday.
Appropriately for the Welsh visit, it was decorated with an insignia of the Royal Welch Fusiliers – given to Kate ‘some time ago’, aides said – and two military tunic buttons. It was designed for the 29-year-old by Vivien Sheriff Millinery, a small company based in rural Wiltshire which makes all of its hats by hand.
And the design team was just as delighted to see the piece atop the bride-to-be’s head as anyone. ‘We saw it on the internet and we were extremely happy,’ said Maddie O’Mahony, of the design team. ‘She has quite a few of our pieces and luckily she wore one of ours today.’
Appropriately for the Welsh visit, it was decorated with an insignia of the Royal Welch Fusiliers – given to Kate ‘some time ago’, aides said – and two military tunic buttons. It was designed for the 29-year-old by Vivien Sheriff Millinery, a small company based in rural Wiltshire which makes all of its hats by hand.
And the design team was just as delighted to see the piece atop the bride-to-be’s head as anyone. ‘We saw it on the internet and we were extremely happy,’ said Maddie O’Mahony, of the design team. ‘She has quite a few of our pieces and luckily she wore one of ours today.’
Big smile: 2,000 people turned up for the launch of the lifeboat and to see the Royal couple
Suits you: Kate Middleton wore a pair of suede ankle boots to the launch
One small walkabout for Miss Middleton; a giant leap for her public profile.
You couldn’t quite call it Middleton mania, but they certainly seemed to like her. She shook hands, shared jokes and made small-talk with the punters. She even anointed a West Highland terrier with a friendly pat on the head. Blimey. Even the dogs were fans.
And although she was surrounded by a posse of minders and organisers – not to mention some beefy looking lifeboatmen – she never once had to send up a distress flare.
It’s probably safe to assume she had been coached by aides before embarking on this rather gentle introduction to the work of The Firm, but the style was all her own.
She certainly brought lightness to a somewhat sombre ceremony – the dedication of an RNLI inshore lifeboat, the Hereford Endeavour, that will almost certainly be called into action soon to save lives.
Blustery: Kate Middleton had to brave strong winds and grey skies as she visited the North Wales RNLI base but, right, she sang the Welsh national anthem perfectly
Kate prepares to douse the bow of the new Hereford Endeavour with champagne as William watches on
Prince William applauds as Kate Middleton pours champagne over the new lifeboat. The bottle was not smashed, as is tradition, because the vessel is inflatable
Regal: Kate Middleton looked elegant on her first official visit
COAT THAT'S BEEN A STALWART IN KATE'S WARDROBE FOR FIVE YEARS
AUSTERITY campaigners would approve. The sleek Shetland Herringbone coat Miss Middleton (pictured right with William) wore yesterday has been in her wardrobe for at least five years.
But since wearing it to the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2006, pictured left, it seems Kate had become unhappy with the mid-calf length covering her shapely legs.
Rather than ditch the £700 creation, however, she had it shortened by its London-based designer Katherine Hooker – and yesterday its new cut revealed glimpses of a thigh-skimming red-brown dress.
But since wearing it to the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2006, pictured left, it seems Kate had become unhappy with the mid-calf length covering her shapely legs.
Rather than ditch the £700 creation, however, she had it shortened by its London-based designer Katherine Hooker – and yesterday its new cut revealed glimpses of a thigh-skimming red-brown dress.
They have a house here and eat and drink in local restaurants and pubs. Kate was spotted buying a printer in Argos the other day.
A young girl is held back by her mother as Prince William and Kate Middleton greet the crowds
Royal life: Visit to Anglesey, close to where they will live as a married couple, was Kate's first official engagement
Meet and greet: Kate looks relaxed as she interacts with members of the public
With the vessel duly launched, the pair then embarked on the other reason for this joint visit – introducing the latest royal recruit to the people.
Kate had her hair tied back in a pony tail and wore a fascinator composed of silk velvet and a tunic button from the Royal Welch Fusiliers.
Someone thrust a bunch of limp-looking daffs at her. ‘Thank you so much!’ she said. ‘They’re lovely!’ She clutched them for a full ten paces before an aide took them. By the end of the crowd she had more bouquets than she could carry.
‘You look nice and warm,’ she told seven-year-old Freya Ainsworth, shivering in the bitter cold. Laughs all round, and a little girl who will remember that moment for life.
Those of us who think they might have seen all this before found ourselves making inevitable comparisons with Princess Diana. She, too, brought fresh air to stuffy royal occasions, and she was clearly on other minds yesterday.
Colin Edwards, a veteran follower of matters royal, brandished a framed photograph of Diana with William and Harry in short trousers. Oh-oh. Potential blunder alert.
‘Oh my goodness,’ shrieked Kate, grabbing the photo and pointing at William. ‘Look at his knees!’
And here's someone who's been doing it for decades: The Queen receives a garland of flowers from daughters of serving Gurkha servicemen during her visit to Invicta Park Barracks, in Maidstone, Kent
Granted, it was only an outing to name a lifeboat. But her double act with William will soon become much more frequent. And one day, of course, she might find herself naming a ship Queen Catherine
