The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have arrived in Scotland for their first joint public engagement since their royal tour of Australia and New Zealand. The couple's first stop on Thursday morning was the Strathearn Community Campus - which houses a school, community library and indoor and outdoor sporting facilities. They were thought to have left their ten-month-old son George at home with his nanny.
While in the country William and Kate are known as the Earl and Countess of Strathearn, and Thursday was the first time they have graced the region since they were given the titles on the occasion of their April 2011 wedding.
Duchess Kate in Scotland
At the replacement building for Crieff High School, the Duchess, née Kate Middleton and Prince William met Brownies, Scouts and Cadets as well as carers based in the Crieff area. Kate received a particularly excited welcome from a group of Rainbows - the youngest branch of the Girlguiding family.
Crieff High School is one of 11 secondary schools administered by Perth and Kinross Council and is currently attended by 686 pupils. Those present waved Saltires and Union flags upon the arrival of the royal visitors.
Duchess Kate was seen greeting children
The Prince was especially excited to greet those from the Scottish Air Ambulance - he thought about joining the team for his career as part of search and rescue for the Royal Navy. Kate did her bit to boost the profile of the country’s fashion by donning a pink-red coat by Scottish designer Jonathan Saunders. Her dress was by Goat, and she accessorised with a Celtic design brooch which was a private wedding gift.
It was Prince William's first joint engagement with Duchess Kate since the royal tour Down Under
Afterwards William, 31, and Kate, 32, visited MacRosty Park where they were greeted by crowds of adoring locals including a school band playing YMCA. At the restored gardens they will unveil a plaque which recognises the park as a Field in Trust.On the rest of their itinerary for the day is an afternoon outing to Glenturret Distillery where they are to sample a tipple from Famous Grouse whisky and mingle with local representatives of the community at a reception.