The Duchess of Cambridge, née Kate Middleton, undertook her first public engagements since returning from her holiday in Mustique on Thursday. The pregnant Duchess joined Sir Ben Ainslie in Portsmouth to visit the site of Ben Ainslie Racing and the 1851 Trust headquarters.
SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO"Today, Her Royal Highness will find out more about the @americascup bid progress which has been made by @BenAinslieRacin," tweeted Kensington Palace ahead of the Duchess's arrival in the coastal city.
© Photo: RexKate added her own detail to the artwork
Dressed in a cream MaxMara coat, which was originally priced at £580 but is now on sale for £345, Kate looked tanned and radiant as she toured the sailing facility.Prince William's wife, who crewed a yacht on a round-the-world trip during her gap year, also viewed the 1851 Mural, an art project on the construction site created by local artists and students from six nearby schools. Artistic Kate then added her own detail to the work.
© Photo: RexKate wore a white MaxMara coat
The 33-year-old is a Royal Patron of the 1851 Trust, which aims to inspire and engage a new generation through sailing and the marine industry. The Trust is supported by Ben Ainslie Racing, the team hoping to bring the America's Cup back to where it all began in 1851.After their morning at the Trust, the Duchess and Sir Ben will then head to a reception at the Spinnaker Tower where they will meet community leaders and local ambassadors.Invitees at the event will include teachers and students from City College in Southampton, who are building the two specialist 'Docking Rib' boats to help with docking the America's Cup boats in Portsmouth.
© Photo: Getty ImagesKate returned from Mustique late last week
Kate will see a display of activities and exhibits on the tower's viewing platform, which will eventually go on display in the 1851 Trust Visitor Centre.
The Duchess's day of engagements in Portsmouth comes just two months before she is due to give birth to her second child.
Prince William and Kate's baby, who will be a younger brother or sister to Prince George, is set to arrive in April.
