William’s bride-to-be wins over the public at her first official royal engagement. Judy Wade was there.
Sharing whispers and jokes as they pulled up in a Range Rover, Prince William and Kate Middleton began a new chapter in their love story when they embarked on their first official royal engagement together.
The launch of a new inflatable lifeboat at Trearddur Bay in North Wales, just a few kilometres from the farmhouse where the couple have made their home, was Kate’s first proper opportunity to show the world she has all the qualities of a future queen.
Applauding as his giggling fiancée poured champagne over the bow of the $350,000 lifeboat, William declared, “I do the talking bit and she does the fun bit”.
He was clearly anxious as they set off to greet the crowds, nervously rubbing his hands together and constantly checking that she was following him. But Kate acted as if she’d been going on royal walkabouts all her life.
She smiled, waved and shook hands with her fans as she moved through the crowd, crouching to chat to children, patting dogs and thanking everyone for coming with a confidence and grace that belied her lack of experience.