Kate Middleton has revealed that she and Prince William want to keep the sex of their unborn baby a surprise. The expectant Duchess of Cambridge was asked about her baby during a visit to Glasgow on Thursday. "We don't have any names and we don't know what it is," she said.Kate smiled and rested a protective hand on her blossoming baby bump as she arrived at Glasgow's Emirates Arena. The parents-to-be were utterly charmed as they met a tiny baby and her mother in the crowd.
The couple, whose baby is due in July, are on a two-day visit Scotland where they will carry out engagements in support of causes close to their hearts. William and Kate laughed as Clyde Thistle, the unmissable green mascot for the 2014 Commonwealth Games, waved and danced to welcome them to the stadium. The energetic mascot congratulated the duchess on her pregnancy and rocked his arms as though he was cradling a baby. She was reluctant to react to Clyde at first and just praised him for his dance performance. However, as he continued to rock his arms she laughed politely and thanked him while rolling her eyes.
Fans of Kate's style were excited to see how she would dress her blossoming baby bump in the chilly weather and were delighted when she wore an appropriately Scottish tartan coat. The £425 flared blue and grey wool 'Workers Coat' by British brand Moloh had only been in store for two weeks before Kate snapped it up. The expectant duchess teamed her daytime chic look with her trademark black opaque tights, black suede boots and a matching clutch bag. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge arrived in Glasgow on a commercial flight from London. Their first stop was the city's mirates Arena in the East End. The stadium is one of the sites for the 2014 Commonwealth Games. The sporty couple met young athletes inside the stadium and watched cyclists in action at the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome. They also saw netball and badminton demonstrations. After eating lunch at the City Hall Civic Chambers, William and Kate visited a homeless shelter in Glasgow's south side. At the Quarriers Stopover project, William made a Skype call to two of their former Glaswegian residents who are now on a work exchange programme in the Netherlands. Meanwhile his wife took part in a media workshop with youngsters at the centre.
"It's brilliant – I'm very excited," said 18-year-old Dylan Howie prior to speaking to the prince. "I never thought that when I came to Quarriers Stopover that a few months later I would be speaking to The Duke of Cambridge." Dylan and 21-year-old Lyn Buchan got the chance to talk to William via Skype about their experiences in Holland as well as about what it is like to be homeless.
Their last stop on Thursday saw them launch a sports coaching project for their Royal Foundation at the Donald Dewar Leisure Centre in Drumchapel. While at the centre, suited and booted Prince William picked up a hockey stick and had his dribbling skills put to the test as he joined youngsters on the pitch.
He also gave the royal seal of approval to Glasgow's bid to host the 2018 Youth Olympic Games. "Glasgow is a city with a great buzz and enormous optimism," he said. "The Commonwealth Games here next year will be brought to life by Glasgow’s youthful energy, creativity, and its unrivalled cultural heritage. "Glasgow would also be tremendous host – if successful, as we hope you are – for the 2018 Youth Olympic Games, continuing the legacy from last year."
On Friday, Prince Charles will join them on a visit to Dumfries House, the stately home that he famously "saved for the nation" in 2007. He made a donation of £20m and helped raise funds of £25m to keep the 18th century estate open to the public. Charles will be showing William and Kate, who are known as the Earl and Countess of Strathearn in Scotland, around a new outdoor centre situated in the grounds. The royal trio will then declare the Tamar Manoukian Outdoor Centre officially open.
"It is hoped that a slightly younger and fitter male member of the Royal party may take the opportunity to demonstrate the rope swing, one of the more challenging obstacles on the course," said Stephen Kay, head of education and training at Dumfries House. Representatives of Youth United, an umbrella organisation for youth organisations set up by Prince Charles in 2009, will welcome the royal party.
Around 400 youngsters and 100 volunteers from the Scouts, Boys' Brigade, Guides, Girls' Brigade, Police Service, Fire Service, RNLI, Sea Cadets, Air Cadets and Army Cadets across Ayrshire are expected to demonstrate their skills to the visitors. The visit will be marked by a fly-past of three Typhoons from RAF Leuchars, a base close to St Andrews University, where William and Kate first met as students. They both graduated in 2005 with a 2:1. William has a degree in geography while Kate graduated in history of art. On their way home on Friday, the royal couple will stop off in the Lake District to learn about the new Astute Class of nuclear-powered submarines being built for the Royal Navy by BAE Systems. The shipyard in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria is one of the only ones in the world which is capable of designing and building nuclear submarines.