Kate Returns to Engagements with State Visit Role

It was a windy day in London as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge welcomed President Tony Tan Keng Yam of Singapore and his wife Mary Chee Bee Kiang at the start of a four-day state visit to Britain.

The appearance marks Kate's first engagement in eleven weeks. The Duchess has been suffering from Hyperemesis gravidarum and spent much of the last two months with her family in Bucklebury. Yesterday Kensington Palace revealed the couple are due their second child in April and Kate's condition is "steadily improving".

The second-in-line to the throne and his wife greeted Mr. Tan and his wife at the Royal Garden Hotel in Kensington.

It is Kate's first formal role in a state visit, and perhaps a sign of Her Majesty's growing confidence in the younger generation of royals playing a more significant part in important events (the couple's role is normally performed by Charles and Camilla). William, Kate and Harry travelled to Belgium and France earlier this year for World War One centenary commemorations, representing the Queen. While the Duke and Duchess will definitely not be attending the state banquet this evening, one could safely assume that will be the next step for them. Perhaps next year.

Kate told the president over tea "I've been looking forward to getting out of the house, that's for sure". It is wonderful to see her looking so happy today, hopefully it will be smooth sailing for her for the remainder of her pregnancy. It's been a very difficult time for Kate and as expected she looks quite tired.

More from The Mirror's live blog:

'Kate made the president laugh by telling him 'It's a bit colder than our last meeting', and he replied: 'The weather is lovely'.

The room at the Royal Garden Hotel where they met had a panoramic view of Kensington Gardens . The President commented on the beautiful view of Kensington Palace from the hotel and William joked: 'You can probably see into our bedroom window which is a bit worrying - I wouldn't look too closely.'

The couple took part in the ceremonial welcome at Horse Guards, to which they travelled by car with the presidential couple.

Reporters noted how happy and radiant Kate looked.

What were you doing at 03.30 this morning? The Household Division was wide awake, busy making its final preparations for the state visit. While London slept, the horses and men of the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment carried out an early morning rehearsal for their role as Sovereign's Escort.

The Army in London Facebook Page

The level of attention to detail and meticulous planning is admirable, ensuring the event goes off seamlessly.

The Army in London Facebook Page

As we mentioned previously, William and Kate had the opportunity to meet the couple in Singapore during their 2012 tour of South-East Asia. It seemed fitting for the Duke and Duchess to welcome them to London, just as they had been so warmly welcomed during their visit.

The Queen and Prince Philip greeted President Tan.

British Army Facebook Page

A great shot from the day.

The Cambridges joined Her Majesty and Prince Philip for the carriage procession back to Buckingham Palace.

William and Kate travelled in the Scottish State Coach with Singaporean government minister Grace Fu, while the Queen took the Diamond Jubilee Coach with Mr Tan, and Prince Philip took the Australia State Coach with Mrs Tan.

The couple chatted and exchanged smiles.

British Army Facebook Page

The procession travelled along the Mall before the royals - with the exception of Kate - returned to the palace, where lunch was held for the visitors. The Palace announced this morning the Duchess would not be attending the lunch; one imagines with tonight's engagement Kate did not want to feel overly fatigued.

The Duchess selected a new grey coatdress by her go-to brand Alexander McQueen.

The bespoke plaid piece features a fitted bodice and full skirt. It was a stylish choice for the nature of the event and the weather conditions. A coatdress is very much a typical piece for Kate, particularly for important engagements.

What Kate Wore correctly noted the material is used in several pieces from McQueen's Resort 2015 collection. Designs from the collection included collages of classic patterns including houndstooth and Prince of Wales check.

Alexander McQueen

Kate wore a black dress underneath.

Kate repeated the grey Jane Taylor hat she wore for an Easter Sunday service in Sydney during the royal tour in April.

It appears Kate wore her Prada Suede Round-Toe Pumps (the gold logo is missing but otherwise the shoes is identical). Made in Italy, the shoes feature leather insole and lining, leather outsole and 4 1/4 inch covered high heel. For those fond of the pumps, Nordstrom currently has round toe Prada pumps in black and nude.

Prada

Kate accessorised with her Annoushka pearls.

Annoushka

Kate wore her Mappin and Webb Empress white gold and diamond pendant. The sparkling piece is set in 18 carat white gold and retails for £,1850.

Mappin and Webb

And completed the look with a new Jenny Packham clutch.

The Duchess wore her hair in a simple ponytail

A quick reminder, we'll be back with another post this evening when the Duchess attends the Wildlife Photographer of the Year Awards at the Natural History Museum.