We knew the Duke and Duchess were attending the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England, today; what a delightful surprise to see Princess Charlotte joining them!
The Games kicked off on July 28 and run through August 8. The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall attended the opening ceremony last Thursday, arriving in the Prince’s eco-friendly 1970 Aston Martin, powered by E85 bioethanol fuel made of English wine waste and whey from cheese processing.(The same car the Duke and Duchess used after their wedding.) 
More about the Games from People’s story by Monique Jessen.
The Commonwealth Games invites 72 member states to compete in various sporting events. They began in 1930 as the British Empire Games and have been held every four years since (except for 1942 and 1946) and are often attended by various members of the royal family.
Appearing at the event to represent the Queen, Prince Charles spent some time chatting to those involved. He met with hundreds of volunteers and athletes at the University of Birmingham before the opening ceremony.
Prince Charles addressed the crowd on behalf of Her Majesty: “Over the years, the coming together of so many for the ‘Friendly Games’ has created memorable shared experiences, established long-standing relationships, and even created some friendly rivalries.
“But above all they remind us of our connection with one another, wherever we may be in the world, as part of the Commonwealth family of nations.”
Other senior royals are representing HM at the Games, including the Earl and Countess of Wessex, also at the Opening Ceremony. The Queen is the Games’ royal patron, and Prince Edward is Vice Patron. 
The ceremony included spectacular fireworks. 
This is the third time England has hosted the event. In 1934 the Games were in London; Manchester hosted the 2002 event. More about the Games from the Royal Family site.
Underpinned by the core values of humanity, equality and destiny, the Games aim to unite the Commonwealth family through a glorious festival of sport. Often referred to as the ‘Friendly Games’, the event is renowned for inspiring athletes to compete in the spirit of friendship and fair play.
The Wessex family has been at the Games almost every day since the Opening Ceremony. Princess Anne and her husband, Sir Tim Laurence joined the Earl and Countess last Friday to watch rugby. 
Back to today’s events, here you see Princess Charlotte meeting Perry the bull, the mascot for the Games. 
More about the Princess joining her parents from Simon Perry’s People story.
The outing marks the first time Charlotte has attended a royal event alongside her parents on her own. She is typically accompanied by her older brother Prince George, 9, and younger brother Prince Louis, 4. George has attended a handful of solo events with his parents over the years.
The first stop today for the Cambridges: an aquatics center. 
The family was greeted by the Earl and Countess of Wessex, Lady Louise Windsor, and James, Viscount Severn. 
They watched some of the swimming competition. 
More from Metro’s coverage.
Proving she’s not only a football fan, Princess Charlotte has been pictured cheering on swimmers at the Commonwealth Games with her parents.
The three were at Sandwell Aquatics Centre in Smethwick, the only brand-new venue for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.
The Duke and his daughter. 
More from this Birmingham Mail story.
Princess Charlotte visited Birmingham Commonwealth Games today – and melted hearts with her funny faces and antics as she watched aquatics and field sports. Charlotte has been described as a “charming” young girl after her first family engagement with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.
Another view. 
The Telegraph noted, “The Cambridge family appeared deep in conversation about the swimming heats, pointing out competitors and discussing the sport before them.” 
The Duchess and the Princess. 
It looked like the Princess gave swimming high marks. 
The family’s next stop was at SportsAid House. 
Below, you see Princess Charlotte shaking hands with Tim Lawlor, the SportsAid CEO. 
A brief video.
TRH The Duchess and Duke of Cambridge are celebrating SportsAid’s support for talented young athletes and championing the ground-breaking #TeamEnglandFutures programme at the #Birmingham2022 Commonwealth Games. They have just arrived at SportsAid House with Princess Charlotte! pic.twitter.com/IgWAej3nGf
— SportsAid (@TeamSportsAid) August 2, 2022
Princess Charlotte and her mother. 
The Duchess has been SportsAid’s royal patron since 2013. The family learned more about the Futures Program, a partnership between SportsAid, Sport England, and Commonwealth Games England. Below, Princess Charlotte greets a mentor working with the Futures Program. 
The family spoke with two power weightlifters, Tom Smith (L) and Lottie McGuinness (2nd from right).
The Futures Program involves almost 1,000 young athletes and support staff. More from the SportsAid site.
The aim of Team England Futures is to better prepare athletes to deliver medal winning performances as either Team England, Team GB or ParalympicsGB debutants at future Games, while also giving support staff a first-hand look at the opportunities they could be presented with, as well as challenges they may face at a multi-sport Games.
The Duchess joined a session on mental preparation.
The Duchess, Patron of SportsAid, has joined #TeamEnglandFutures participants for a forum on mental readiness. Hosted by @ChrisShambrook, featuring @LeonTaylorGB and @LutaloMuhammad, the session looks at simple and powerful ways to build confidence and perform under pressure. pic.twitter.com/J3EZmQrUza
— SportsAid (@TeamSportsAid) August 2, 2022
A view of the Duchess during the workshop.
And from Yahoo’s coverage of the engagement.
Charlotte, seven, was described as “charming” by Tim Lawler, chief executive of SportsAid…
She appeared curious about her surroundings and the people around her at the university site, and a little apprehensive at times, but received a reassuring arm around her shoulder or word in her ear from William, and held Kate’s hand at other moments.
The young princess revealed gymnastics was the sport she liked most and joined a nutritional workshop helping her parents place pictures of foods such as nuts, bread and grapes into the right groups, whether protein, carbohydrates, antioxidants or healthy fats.
We return to the Yahoo piece:
Nutritionist Jenny Tschiesche set the Cambridges and their daughter a food challenge, and said afterwards: “They did really well, and so did Charlotte, she picked up the picture of the chicken and put it in the protein section and she did the same with the beans.”
The Princess also helped add medals to the medals board. 
Another very short video.
Princess Charlotte updated the @TeamEngland medal board at SportsAid House with the silver won in the lawn bowls (men’s pairs) and bronze from the table tennis (men’s team event). SportsAid alumni have contributed over 70 medals for the Home Nations at #Birmingham2022 so far! pic.twitter.com/kbyOzbgoTM
— SportsAid (@TeamSportsAid) August 2, 2022
Then it was time for a group photo.
Could the photo shoot have involved….shenanigans?
Hmmmm. 
A more formal shot. 
Following the SportsAid House visit, the family headed to the University of Birmingham Hockey and Squash Centre. 
They were there to watch women’s hockey. 
The Cambridges and Wessexes saw England play India. 
England proved victorious in the match, besting India 3 – 1.
Another image of the Princess. 
Prince William and Princess Charlotte. 
After the match, Lady Louise and the Countess of Wessex posed for a group photo. The Countess is Patron of England Hockey. 
As the family left, each carried Perry mascot stuffed animal.
I’m guessing one of those will go to Prince Louis, one will go to Prince George, and Charlotte will keep hers.
The family’s final stop at the Games was gymnastics.
They watched the Men’s Horizontal Bar Final and Women’s Floor Exercise Final at Arena Birmingham. After the competition, Princess Charlotte met some of the competitors. 
Here you see her with Team England’s Ondine Achampong (L) and Alice Kinsella (R).
Both women were part of England’s Gold Medal-winning team championship.
Now for our look at what Kate wore for today’s visit to the Commonwealth Games. 
She was in the Alexander McQueen separates we have seen before. The blazer ensemble was first noted in Jamaica during the Caribbean tour.
The Duchess accessorized with her Camilla Elphick’ Alicia’ slingback sandals ($255) that were first seen at a July polo match. The style is out of stock, but you can sign up for an email notifying you when it is available again.
And her Mappin and Webb ‘Empress’ earrings and necklace. 
There is more info about Princess Charlotte’s Rachel Riley dress and La Coqueta sandals in my What Kate’s Kids Wore post. 
I’ll leave you with one more image from today’s visit to the Commonwealth Games. 
VIDEOS:
This Royal Family Channel video offers three minutes of coverage of the SportsAid House visit.
And here, the RFC delivers additional coverage that is primarily different from the first video.
LINKAGE:
- Metro’s gallery of Charlotte’s reactions is here; the Evening Standard’s gallery is here; People has a gallery here.
- The Birmingham Mail’s live blog is here; Hello’s coverage is here; a BBC piece is here; a Daily Mail story is here.
Susan
Thursday 4th of August 2022
I have disabled comments on this post. Some have become too personal in responding to comments left by other readers. People are allowed to comment on the length of the Duchess's hair. Discussion about topics like the buckle on the shoes worn Tuesday is also within the site's guidelines. Criticising those who may hold other opinions is not okay. Susan
Helen G
Thursday 4th of August 2022
It’s a great outfit, great shoes, and lovely matching necklace and earrings BUT I think the outfit is more about what Kate isn’t wearing! Where are her engagement and eternity rings?!? Did she loose them when sailing the other day?!?
Zell
Thursday 4th of August 2022
I am Definitely Team Pearl Circlet Shoe Buckle. Who dares to join me? ;)
Kate Admirer
Thursday 4th of August 2022
@Zell, Me! While we've seen this suit in different permutations, I think it still looks fresh and appropriate. I'm not sure the shoes complement the outfit, but I love the style and am a fan of the buckle-unexpected and a little quirky. Lovely family outing. Charlotte looks like she is enjoying herself and so full of charming expressions.
Olivia HS
Wednesday 3rd of August 2022
Ahh, I think Charlotte stole the show on this outing in her pretty navy Breton Rachel Riley dress and La Coqueta sandals, her hair in plaits. Just the cutest! A lovely family; William and Catherine must be so proud, they certainly look it.
Catherine is beautiful in her matching white McQueen narrow trousers and blazer. Great to see it for the third time. Such a practical buy, one of those outfits you reach for again and again. I do like the taupe and black flat sling backs with the suit, breaks up nicely the all white. Not sure about the width of the belt, perhaps would have preferred something just a bit narrower.
Jane
Wednesday 3rd of August 2022
Overall white with a nude and black contrasting heel. Kate has really upped the style stakes over the summer. A polished elegant look across a multitude of different events. Stunned by the angst over the pearl shoe clasp, let's just celebrate a wonderful young family supporting the games. Hope it brings more young people to sport instead of lounging on the couch.
Zell
Thursday 4th of August 2022
@Jane, too funny, really, how some are in "angst" over a shoe, especially such a pretty one.