On one of the chilliest days of the year so far, the Duchess of Cambridge, née Kate Middleton, brought her usual warmth - and sunny smile - to Kensington, for a particularly busy day of royal engagements.SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO
The Duchess began on Monday morning by joining families and volunteers at a coffee morning set up by Family Friends, an organisation that provides befriending and mentoring services to families in deprived areas of the borough. For the visit Kate showed off her growing baby bump in a Séraphine blue cashmere maternity coat, which she paired with a blue floral dress from the maternity brand and navy court shoes.
© Photo: Getty ImagesThe Duchess wrapped up in a Séraphine maternity coat
Royal fans and members of the public cheered the Duchess as she arrived to get an overview of the charity's work and meet people who work for the organisation. Kate will make three separate appearances in the borough on Monday, just days after her first engagements of 2015. Following her visit to the coffee morning, the pregnant royal formally opened Kensington Aldridge Academy, a new school for pupils aged 11 to 18 on Monday afternoon. She met governors, staff and students before touring the new building and watching part of a lesson. The Duchess also watched a dance performance in the school's theatre and unveiled a plaque before visiting the school's Creates Hub for young entrepreneurs.
© Photo: Getty ImagesDuchess Kate will carry out three engagements in Kensington on Monday
Kate's whirlwind day will end with her formally opening Kensington Leisure Centre, a new development which replaces the former building where her husband Prince William and brother-in-law Prince Harry had swimming lessons at school. The Duchess, who is expecting her second child in April, will tour the facilities and watch groups of children from nearby primary schools playing various sports in the Main Sports Hall.
© Photo: Getty ImagesKate talked to children from the Kensington Aldridge Academy
Her visit will conclude with a reception in the dance studio with speeches and the unveiling of a plaque. The day rounds off a busy couple of weeks for the Duchess, as she carried out a further two public engagements on Thursday 15 and Friday 16 January. As part of her work as Patron of charity The Art Room, Kate officially named The Clore art room at Barlby Primary School in London, before celebrating the dedicated work of foster carers at an event hosted by The Fostering Network on Friday.
