Prince William and his pregnant wife Kate Middleton charmed crowds of wellwishers who had gathered to welcome them as they paid a visit to the charity Child Bereavement UK on Tuesday. Kate, 30, who is over five months pregnant, was positively radiant during the visit to the charity's offices in Saunderton, Buckinghamshire. The royal fashionista shed her cream cashmere coat from Goat once inside the centre to reveal a Peter Pan collar dress from high street chain Topshop.
The A-line cream Redgrave coat from this season's collection worth £560 skimmed her blooming baby bump. She teamed the chic ensemble with trademark black suede court shoes, a matching clutch bag, black wool gloves with a side bow by Cornelia James and her drop pearl earrings by Annoushka. The smiling couple spent time outside chatting to fans who presented them with a teddy for their baby, an Easter bunny, some chocolates and a bouquet of posies. When Kate asked the wellwishers whether they had cold hands, William quipped, "I never get flowers anymore, I just get cold hands."
It was a touching engagement for the couple, who will become first-time parents in July. The young royals met the charity's staff and family members who are rebuilding their lives after losing a child.
Inside, they met with British baking queen Mary Berry, whose son William tragically died in a car crash aged 19. She, like William, is also one of the charity's patrons. William confessed his love of brownies to her but admitted he could do with some cooking lessons. Kate told Mary she was a big fan of her cookbooks and cakes.
They also gathered at a table with young children who were captivated by the royal pair as they popped bubble wrap with them. As they left the centre they stopped to talk to crowds again and gratefully accepted another bouquet.It was the second engagement this week for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, who had presided over a St Patrick's Day Parade for the Irish Guard on Sunday. When it was announced that William and Kate would visit Child Bereavement's offices, executive Ann Chalmers said: "We are honoured that The Duke and Duchess are making a visit to our charity offices in Buckinghamshire where they will see first-hand some of the groups we run with bereaved children, young people and parents".
William has been patron of the charity, which nurtures families who've lost a child, as well as children living without their parents, for three years. In October 2011, he raised more than £600,000 for the organisation at a fundraiser held in St James's Palace. Kate supported her husband on that occasion, made memorable by the billowing red Beulah evening gown she wore to the event.