Kate Middleton Visits Children's Hospice While Prince William Awards Military Medals

Following their poignant visit to the UK premiere of Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom last night, the Duke and Duchess have returned to their royal duties with two separate engagements

Kate Middleton and Prince William left baby Prince George at home today to carry out separate duties across the UK. While Prince William donned his military uniform to present medals to the Irish Guards in Aldershot, Hampshire, Duchess Kate opted for a more casual look as she met patients and staff at the Shooting Stars Children's Hospice in Hampton, Middlesex.

Dressed in a pair of skinny jeans, new black wedge boots by Russell & Bromley and a grey coat by high street giant Reiss (which is still available for £275, quiiiiiiick), the new mum smiled and chatted to staff as she learned more about their incredible work. 

The Duchess became royal patron of East Anglia Children's Hospices shortly after marrying Prince William in 2011 and as a result has become heavily involved in their work. Today, she took a tour of the facilities at Shooting Star House, watched a music therapy session and had tea with children and their families.

Earlier this year, she recorded a short video to promote Children's Hospice Week, saying: 'Children's hospices provide lifelines to families at a time of unimaginable pain. The support they give is vital. In order to carry out this wonderful work, our help is needed.

'With our support, those providing children's palliative care can continue to offer these extraordinary services. It does not bear thinking about what these families would do without this.'

Kate's visit comes just hours after her poignant visit to the Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom premiere in London last night, where the Duke and Duchess learned of Nelson Mandela's death just moments before the end of the screening.

Next week, on Wednesday 11 December, Kate Middleton and Prince William will attend the screening of Sir David Attenborough's Natural History Museum Alive 3D, at the museum in London, where Duchess Kate is also patron. It's going to be a busy month for this royal pair...

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