Pregnant Kate Middleton braved the slopes of the luxury Arosa resort when she was in the Swiss slopes for a wedding on the weekend. But the keen skier, who is nearly five months pregnant, opted for a more relaxed, safer afternoon of sledging, while her husband Prince William and his brother Prince Harry skied elsewhere on the snowy Swiss mountains. The royal trio were at the Switzerland ski resort for the wedding of close friend polo player Mark Tomlinson and Olympian Laura Bechtolsheimer, where Prince William was an usher and his brother Harry was also a guest.
Wearing a loose-fitting spotted top which revealed a hint of her burgeoning baby bump, black skinny jeans and furry black snow boots, the Duchess of Cambridge looked happy as she enjoyed the sun with a friend, taking a traditional wooden sledge along for the ride.Showing that her pregnancy won't slow her down, Kate sped down a one-kilometre-long winding slope on the side of the stunning Graubünden mountains, reportedly laughing all the way.The royal base for the duration of their stay was the five-star hotel owned by the bride's billionaire grandfather, where the reception was held on Saturday. The Tschuggen Grand Hotel, which exclusively hosted the 235-strong bridal party for the weekend, boasts award-winning cuisine from five restaurants and two bars, an indoor and outdoor pool and a luxury spa.
A night in a suite can cost up to £2,450, and includes use of a private 12-seat ski lift which whisks guests straight up to the slopes. Skis, poles and ski passes are also provided by the hotel, while a traditional wooden toboggan was given to the pregnant Duchess. A thoughtful measure, seeing as skiing is listed by the NHS as one of the sports to avoid when pregnant, due of the risk of falling.
Nestled high in the snow-capped mountains, the Alpine resort is known for being small and picturesque. The stunning views provided the perfect romantic setting for the wedding of 28-year-old Laura, who won a team gold and individual bronze for Team GB at last summer's Olympics.
Though she opted not to ski, Kate did join William and the rest of the guests for a pre-wedding celebration at a mountain restaurant, the Tschuggenhutte, where some of the party ate the traditional Swiss cheese dish raclette. The bill for the 235 guests, which was reportedly taken care of by the bride’s grandparents, came to £13,400.At the lavish hotel reception in one of the four luxury hotels owned by Laura's grandfather, German billionaire and property magnate Karl Heinz-Kipp, guests enjoyed a seven-course meal of dishes including lobster salad, veal steak and chocolate and raspberry mousse. They were then invited to take a ride on a pastel-coloured merry-go-round which had been specially installed for the occasion.Since suffering from acute morning sickness in the early stages of her pregnancy, Kate has been taking the much-deserved opportunity to relax before the arrival of the royal baby. The couple jetted off to the paradise island of Mustique for a 'babymoon' in February, before the Duchess resumed her busy schedule of royal engagements.
