Sports fan Kate Middleton makes a stylish first solo appearance since becoming a mum

Kate Middleton left her baby son in the very capable hands of her husband Prince William on Friday to make her first solo outing since the arrival of Prince George.

The Duchess of Cambridge was in high spirits as she made a special appearance at the Copper Box venue inside the former Olympic Park to meet young athletes who are being supported by SportsAid, a charity of which she is proudly patron.

© Photo: Rex

Casually dressed in skinny jeans, a blue and white striped top, navy blazer and wedges, the stylish new mum threw herself into the day's activities. Without hesitation, she joined in a game of volleyball, impressing onlookers with her on-court skills.

Kate, 31, also unwittingly gave a glimpse of her flat and toned stomach as she got caught up in the action, giving a quick flash of her midriff just three months after giving birth.

As with all her engagements, Kate's arrival was highly anticipated. And she lived up to expectations, charming the elite young athletes with her warmth and generosity of time.

© Photo: Rex

Later, Kate joined the athletes and their parents as they attended educational workshops about media and social media training, nutrition in sport and general guidance from stars including Katherine Granger, Ade Adepitan and Karen Pickering.

As well as taking part in a spot of volleyball, Kate spent time watching the country's future Olympians and Paralympians — who have all received expert tuition from SportsAid — as they showed off their skill in a number of activities, from wheelchair basketball and cerebral palsy football to fencing and badminton.

The popular royal went to great lengths to engage with as many of the excited youngsters as she could as she made her way around the indoor London venue.

Kate is a keen ambassador of sport, and enthusiastically cheered on the nation's men and women during London 2012 in her role as official ambassador for Team GB and Paralympians GB.

© Photo: Rex

Since SportsAid was established in 1976, the charity has helped many of the UK's most successful sportsmen and women, including two-thirds of the national team at the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, by giving them cash awards during the defining early years of their careers.