All eyes were on Prince Harry and Meghan Markle as they arrived in Nottingham on Friday for their first public engagement as a couple.
And while crowds lined the streets of Nottingham to welcome the newly engaged couple the Duchess of Cambridge enjoyed an unusually low-key outing in London.
The pregnant royal, 35, who is expecting her third child with William next April, was pictured at Kings Cross St Pancras Station on Friday morning in an unofficial outing.
The Duchess of Cambridge made a low-key appearance at Kings Cross St Pancras on Friday morning, the same day that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle attended their first engagement as a couple
Kate wrapped up against the elements in a £99.99 Zara coat and could be seen clutching a Mulberry bag as she made her way into the station.
It seems that the early start meant that Kate had breakfast on the hoof pictured carrying a small paper bag thought to be carrying some snacks.
Out of the public eye the Duchess opted for a more casual aesthetic, slipping into a pair of Zara jeans and a cream turtle neck for her trip out this morning.
She swept her famous brunette tresses into a loose pony-tail and opted for a minimal make-up look while off-duty.
Kate wrapped up against the elements in a £99.99 coat from high street retailer Zara and could be seen carrying a Mulberry handbag
As she is off-duty the pregnant Duchess opted for a more casual hair-do sweeping her tresses up into a pony tail and choosing a minimal makeup look
It is unclear why the pregnant mother-of-two was visiting the station on Friday but her arrival did fall on the same morning that her brother-in-law and fiance travelled to Nottingham via train.
Harry and bride-to-be Meghan Markle began their public life together with a whirlwind of handshakes and smiles as the crowd chanted their names during their first walkabout.
Hundreds of well-wishers had gathered in Nottingham to greet the couple and were not disappointed as the prince and his fiancee appeared determined to meet almost everyone on their first joint engagement.
In scenes reminiscent of the early days of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s married life, a sea of camera phones greeted their arrival along with chants of ‘Harry, Harry’ and ‘Meghan, Meghan’.
The American former actress appeared to take the outpouring of affection and interest from the well-wishers in her stride, looking confident as she greeted the crowds with a smile and handshake.
It is unclear why Kate visited the station on Friday but it comes the same day that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle travelled by train for their engagement in Nottingham. Pictured: The couple in the city today
Harry chose Nottingham, a city and its people who are close to his heart, as the place to introduce his bride-to-be to the UK.
During the walkabout, which lasted just over 20 minutes, Ms Markle was wrapped up against the cold in a long dark blue coat by Mackage, and boots, and was handed armfuls of flowers, chocolates and other gifts.
She was without gloves, so her engagement ring was on display, and carried a handbag – something Kate rarely does.
Avid fan Irene Hardman, who is well-known for handing bags of Haribo sweets to Harry, and first presented his father, the Prince of Wales, with two bags – the other for brother William – 20 years ago, was a familiar face in the crowd.
The 81-year-old handed Ms Markle a goody bag containing fridge magnets and other gifts.
She said afterwards that the meeting was ‘very emotional’.
Through tears of joy, she said: ‘I cried – she’s wonderful, and it’s fantastic. They’re so genuine.’