The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge appeared in excellent spirits as they greeted well-wishers in South Wales today.
Prince William, 37, and Kate, 38, met elderly residents and high-fived schoolchildren on a visit to Mumbles, near Swansea, at the start of a busy afternoon of engagements in the region.
After visiting the local lifeboat station, the couple went on a walkabout along the blustery seafront, where they met people who had been stood in the cold for hours in the hope of seeing the couple.
They stopped off at a local ice cream parlour where they ordered a single scoop with chocolate sprinkles before leaving for Port Talbot.
Continuing a recent high street style streak, the Duchess of Cambridge wore a £349 navy coat by Hobbs over a vibrant red dress from Zara for the outing. William was smart-casual in chinos, a shirt, jumper and blazer.
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Sweet treat! The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge ordered ice cream with chocolate sprinkles at Joe’s Ice Cream Parlour
High five! The Duchess greeted a group of schoolchildren who turned out to greet the royals in Mumbles, South Wales, today
Good spirits! The Duchess of Cambridge placed an affectionate hand on her husband’s shoulder as they arrived today
Burst of colour: The Duchess of Cambridge was vibrant in a scarlet dress for the outing with Prince William this afternoon
Whipped up by the wind! The Duchess of Cambridge fell victim to the elements as her hair was blown into her face, pictured
Gentle manner: The Duchess of Cambridge leaned down to speak to one young royal well-wisher in Mumbles today
Maternal nature: A little girl smiled as the Duchess of Cambridge knelt down to speak to her on the Mumbles seaside
Little princess: The Duchess of Cambridge looked thrilled to meet another little girl who braved the cold to see the royal
In her element: A smile was never far from Kate’s face as she joined William in meeting residents in Mumbles, South Wales
Prince charming: The Duke of Cambridge chatted to one woman as he made his way around the group in Mumbles today
Three cheers for Wills and Kate! The royals were delighted by the warm reception they were given in Mumbles this afternoon
There they are! People gathered at the window of the lifeboat station (seen) to catch a glimpse of William and Kate (right)
Well-wishers braved the chilly seaside temperatures to welcome the couple to Mumbles, which overlooks Swansea Bay. They wrapped up against the cold in coats and Welsh flags as they waited for the chance to see the royal visitors.
On their arrival, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge beamed and waved to the gathered crowds. At one point Kate put a hand on her husband’s arm, in a rare show of affection from the royal.
The wind picked up as they made their way towards the RNLI Mumbles Lifeboat Station, with one gust whipping Kate’s hair up in front of her face
Once inside the couple boarded a stationary lifeboat and spoke to crew members about what it is like to provide 24-hour rescue services at sea. They also met a man who was saved by the lifeboat crew.
Made their day: The Duchess stopped to speak to a group of local schoolchildren who were at the seafront in Mumbles
Shaking hands with royalty: Kate Middleton reached out to shake someone’s hand as they shared their well-wishes
Worth the wait: One group, who had queued for hours, were rewarded with a personal greeting from the Duchess in Mumbles
Windswept: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge spent time greeting well-wishers in Mumbles despite the chilly temperature
Wrapped up: Kate reached down to shake the hand of a woman who had been wrapped up in a Welsh flag in Mumbles
Children’s princess! Schoolchildren clamored to high five the duchess as she stopped by on her walkabout in Mumbles
I see you! The Duchess of Cambridge took time to high five several children before moving onto the next well-wishers
Excited! Kate Middleton looked animated as she spoke to one group of people who had waited to see the royals in Mumbles
The hairstyle, which has become a recent favourite for Kate, revealed her delicate Woodland Oak Leaf Hoop earrings by Asprey.
The Duchess chose unusually bold accessories for today’s outing, plumping for a scarlet clutch bag that matched the colour of her midi skirt.
She another pop of colour with a heart-print scarf in red and pink, thought to be from favourite retailer Boden, and finished the outfit with her trusty Stuart Weitzman boots.
Radiant: The Duchess of Cambridge shared a light-hearted moment with the lifeboat crew inside the station this afternoon
Helping hand: The Duke of Cambridge helped guide his wife as they boarded a lifeboat in Mumbles this afternoon
Quick stop: The Duke and Duchess boarded the boat inside the station, pictured, and heard more about the work they do
Engaged: The royal couple looked interested as they learnt more about the work done by the lifeguard crew in Mumbles
Life-changing experience: The Duchess of Cambridge speaks with Paul O’Dwyer, who was rescued by the lifeboat service
Teamwork: The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were never far from each other’s sides as they made their way around Mumbles
Smile! Prince William and Kate Middleton smile as they leave RNLI Mumbles Lifeboat Station, near Swansea, after the visit
Day by the sea: The Duke and Duchess of Sussex visited the lifeboat station (pictured) before heading to meet well-wishers
Getting chilly: The Duchess put on gloves while Prince William tied up his coat as they left the RNLI lifeboat station today
Deep in conversation: Prince William and Kate Middleton chatted constantly as they made their way around Mumbles
Meanwhile Prince William opted for a smart casual look, pairing navy chinos with blazer in the same colour. Underneath he wore a pale blue shirt and a bottle green jumper.
Later William and Kate will visit the Tata Steel plant at Port Talbot, where they will join a discussion with executives and union representatives before spending time with employees in the plant’s Hot Strip Mill and training academy.
Tata announced in November it would be cutting up to 1,000 UK jobs, part of a total reduction of up to 3,000 across Europe.
Warm welcome: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge waved at well-wishers as they arrived for their engagement today
Pops of colour: The Duchess of Cambridge matched her red skirt with a heart-print scarf in the same vibrant shade, pictured
Welcome to Wales! Well-wishers waved flags as the royal couple arrived in Mumbles, near Swansea, this afternoon
Delighted: Kate flashed a smile as she spoke to people at the engagement (left) and William looked similarly happy
Look of love: The couple were photographed gazing adoringly into each other’s eyes as they made their way along the pier
Jolly: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge chatted as they made their way towards the lifeboat station in Mumbles
Prince William and Kate beamed as they strolled along the seafront to start a busy afternoon of engagements in the region
Ready for the royals! Chilly supporters braved the winter weather to catch a glimpse of William and Kate on their arrival
In a recent newspaper interview, Natarajan Chandrasekaran, chairman of Tata Steel, called for the Port Talbot plant to become ‘self-sustaining’ following substantial losses last year.
William and Kate will end their day by visiting the Bulldogs Development Centre in Port Talbot which, through fitness and boxing, gives young people in the area who may have mental health issues a sense of belonging.
The visit is the second Kate Middleton will have made to Wales in 2020, so far. The Duchess surprised parents at a baby class at the Ely & Caerau Children’s Centre on January 22.
Out to sea: Smiling Kate took a minute to admire the beauty of Swansea Bay, pictured, as she strolled along the seafront
Polished: The Duchess of Cambridge kept her hair out of her face in a half-up style which has become a recent go-to
Relaxed: William made his wife smile as they made their way to the lifeboat station in Mumbles, South Wales, for the visit
Side-by-side: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will carry out a series of joint engagements today, starting in Mumbles
Co-ordinated: The Duchess of Cambridge wore a £349 navy coat by Hobbs while William wore a blazer in the same colour
Seaside stop: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge walk along the pier during a visit to the RNLI Mumbles Lifeboat Station
Jovial: The couple appeared to share a joke with their hosts as they made their way to the first stop of the day, pictured
Cheerful: Kate Middleton smiled as she joined her husband Prince William at RNLI Mumbles Lifeboat Station, pictured
Blustery day! The Duchess of Cambridge’s hair was whipped up by the wind as she arrived for the Mumbles outing
Excitement builds: Crowds gathered to welcome the couple to Mumbles, which overlooks Swansea Bay, this afternoon
Ready to welcome: Hundreds of people lined up along metal barricades to welcome the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge