The Earl and Countess of Strathearn, as Kate and William are titled in Scotland, started their two-day visit to that country with a visit to the Emirates Arena in Glasgow.
The pair were greeted by officials at the Arena, one of the sites for the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games. The facility is also called Commonwealth Arena (the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome is also part of the complex), but a sponsorship arrangement results in it being called Emirates Arena. Kate seemed to enjoy meeting the official Mascot for the Games, Clyde.
Clyde is a “patriotic and adventurous thistle” created by 12-year-old Beth Gilmour, seen on the left of the photo above.
William and Kate chatted with officials and young athletes, watching cycling practice.
Paul Harrison of Sky News shared what Kate had to say when asked familiar questions about the baby’s sex or name:
The couple then visited the Quarriers Stopover project, a residence program for young people who are homeless in Scotland’s capitol. William was asked to help with the music while there. How did he do? From Victoria Murphy’s story in the Mirror:
The 30-year-old prince blushed as he had a go at “scratching” the decks joking “I’ll give everything a go once” before saying “I think I should come better prepared next time.”
After his lengthy turn on the decks Kate joked to him: “Step away from the music”.
There were more of the familiar questions at this stop as well, back to Victoria Murphy’s story:
When Rachel asked what her due date is and if they had any names, Kate replied: “It’s around mid-July but apparently babies have their own agenda…
“We have a shortlist for both (boy and girl) but it’s very difficult.
“My friends keep texting me names.”
The couple’s visit was memorialized with a plaque and something a little tastier, this lovely cake by Tunnock’s Biscuits.
After leaving Quarriers the next stop was the Donald Dewar Leisure Centre located in Drumchapel. William and Kate greet well-wishers upon arriving.
There was a crowd of young people on hand inside. William then formally introduced the Coach Core program to everyone; it is designed to train young people to be leaders while coaching sports. And then it was time for a little table tennis.
From William’s comments to the group:
Catherine – who, you may have noticed, is limited a little in the sports she can play right now – has had to hold herself back from grabbing a tennis racquet and challenging me to a full game. I am far too much of a gentleman to say who would win (but you all saw for yourselves!).
Kate’s navy and grey tartan coat is by Moloh, a UK label.
The Workers Coat is 100% wool, well suited to a brisk Scottish afternoon. It is done in a large navy and grey tartan, with oversized flap pocket detailing and large silver buttons on the front and at the cuff.
The coat also features a flared skirt and double vents on the back.
This piece is still shown as available on the Moloh website, it is £425, approximately $650 at today’s exchange rates.
Moloh is a brand Kate is said to have favored over the years, more from British Vogue:
The label’s collections are all created in Britain and are sold at its Pimlico store in London. What started as traditional country attire has been reinterpreted to offer demure, high-quality relaxed daywear.
The label has some lovely styles, below we share three dresses for spring and summer.
Moloh is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, more on future tweaks to the line from that British Vogue piece, quoting founder Caroline Smiley.
“We hope to attract a younger customer, who blends the classic more expensive pieces with the high street,” added Smiley. “We want our new customer to really appreciate our quality and buy something that will last her forever that she can pass down, leaving her feeling nothing but totally chic.”
Kate was in her trusty Aquatalia Rhumba boots, she carried her black suede clutch and wore her diamond and sapphire earrings.
This is a splendid brand for the Duchess, although the coat seemed a trifle short. One note for consideration when thinking about Kate’s wardrobe choices at this point in her pregnancy: spring has been excruciatingly slow arriving in parts of Britain (it snowed earlier today in London, more snow for the city is possible tonight), Kate could well have planned to be in maternity wear by now, she may have better fitting, lighter weight pieces hanging in her closet that simply won’t do with the cooler temps.
The Countess did seem to enjoy herself immensely, reveling in her time with the children at each venue, answering questions about how she is doing. More from the Mirror’s live blog of today’s events:
She also said she would be going on maternity leave from royal duties sometime in June and told she has been trying to take up knitting ahead of giving birth.
She admitted that knitting was so far not one of her strong points when a resident presented her with a woollen hat for her child along with a teddy bear and babygro.
She said: “I’ve been trying to knit and I’m really bad. I should be asking for tips.”
Tomorrow Kate & William join Prince Charles (known as the Duke of Rothesay in Scotland) at Dumfries House, the trio will officially open the new Tamar Manoukian Outdoor Centre there.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Another date has been added to Kate’s calendar (check the tab at the top of the page), April 21st she will attend the National Review of Queen’s Scouts at Windsor Castle, followed by the National Scout Service at St. George’s Chapel. Below you see the Queen at last year’s event.
More on the event can be found here.
LINKAGE:
- Read about the Commonwealth Games via its website, visit the Games’ Facebook page here, its Twitter feed here, Glasgow 2014 merchandise is available here
- Learn more about Quarriers at its website, its Facebook page is here, the Twitter feed is here
- The Daily Mail’s story is here, Grazia’s story is here and the Evening Standard’s is here
- The Telegraph’s article with information on tomorrow’s events may be found here
- ITV’s delightful video is here, you may enjoy seeing one young lady’s reaction when the Prince tries to give her a kiss
- the BBC’s story is here
Grace
Saturday 6th of April 2013
OK ha ha after defending her previous "short" outfit ... I do agree that this one is TOO short. I still think she's adorable tho!
Suzy
Saturday 6th of April 2013
I really enjoy the coat, especially the lines of the back of the coat and the tartan. I agree that its short in comparison to what we usually see from the Duchess, but she's clearly wearing a dress underneath and with boots and opaque tights, doesn't strike me as inappropriate at all. As I've said on othere posts, I like the shorter, fuller sillouettes she's choosing with opaque tights... Seems fresh while still having a strong reference to the mod period, a heyday for British fashion.
Justine
Saturday 6th of April 2013
She looks like a Scottish lampshade.
Hazel Kukupatch
Friday 5th of April 2013
I think it is appropriate what Kate is wearing. She is young and attractive and stylish. She is also pregnant and very savvy. Given the press she receives and the harassment because of who she is, and the fact that she is always exposed when on show , she is protecting her unborn child by detracting the eye from her middle. We see her legs ,well covered and they then draw the eye to her face and we skip over her middle. A very comfortable way to keep her baby safe from prying eyes and for her to maintain her dignity. Think about it folks, she dresses this way because we are part of the issue as in we always want to know what she is wearing.
AshleyOlivia
Friday 5th of April 2013
I appear to be one of the few that really liked this look. I'm simply gaga over this coat... I would purchase it in a heartbeat if I had the funds. What a beautiful plaid! And the silhouette with the silver buttons just knocks it out of the park. I find it a trifle short, but pairing it with opaque tights keeps it appropriate. I would really like to see Catherine in some slim-cut trousers at some point though!