'I'm not sure about it, it's a bit windy today!': The Duchess of Cambridge has second thoughts about her new fringe as she visits her namesake city with husband William for the first time
- Kate debuted the heavy new fringe at a public engagement last night
- Couple greeted by crowd of thousands at the Guildhall
- William delighted to receive a baby grow with the slogan 'Daddy's little co-pilot'
- Both Kate and William admit to being fans of University Challenge
- Mayor of Cambridge claims the visit will be remembered for generations
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Last night the Duchess of Cambridge's new hairstyle drew comparisons with the late Princess Diana as she demurely peeped up from beneath a full fringe on a visit to the Natural History Museum.
But today brunette Kate lost a fight with the British weather as the heavy fringe and tumbling curls took a battering on the balcony of Cambridge's Guildhall.
Despite being complemented on her new hairstyle Kate, who was visiting the city to open a hospital with husband William, appeared to be having second thoughts.
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The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were cheered by members of the public during an appearance on the balcony of the Guildhall in Cambridge
Cambridge mayor Sheila Stuart also struggled with the strong wind. She said the royal visit was 'absolutely huge' for the city
Spectator Joanne Baldwin, 30, spoke to the Duchess during the couple's walkabout. 'I told her I loved her new hair style,' she said.
'She said: "I'm not sure about it. It's a bit windy today." I said don't worry, it looks lovely.'
The duchess appeared nervous as she continued to sweep her layers off her face but saw the funny side as even the city's mayor struggled to keep her ceremonial hat in place during her speech.
It was something of a homecoming for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge as they arrived in their namesake city to open a new hospital, but all eyes were on 30-year-old Kate's new hairstyle as the couple completed their duties.
William and Kate are visiting Cambridge for the first time since the Queen conferred the Dukedom on the couple on their wedding day in April last year.
Prince William is descended from the son of George III who was created Duke of Cambridge in 1801 through Queen Mary.
The couple arrived in the city by train travelling First Class from King's Cross in London where they had stayed overnight, stepping off the scheduled train shortly after 10am.
Kate, 30, in a pale grey MaxMara £980 Belli overcoat and dress with brown suede Aquatalia ankle boots and a chocolate brown clutch by Emmy Scarterfield, had her new fringe on display and within minutes the wintry weather had reduced her glossy locks to a head full of tangles.
It is the first time the couple have visited their namesake city together as a couple
Despite being complemented on her new hairstyle, Kate appeared to be having second thoughts
Kate saw the funny side though as her blow dry blew across her face on the balcony
Kate and William were greeted by crowds of thousands as they made their first visit to the city that gave the name to their dukedom
VIDEO: A windswept Kate and William share adoring glances in Cambridge
The couple were formally welcomed to the city by the Lord Lieutenant of Cambridgeshire, Hugh Duberly and his wife Sally.
Kate carried a brown umbrella in the light drizzle as she and William strolled down a platform at Cambridge station. William, 30, held one over the head of Mrs Duberly.
Some of the passengers who'd been on the train with them waited and cheered as they passed to head to their car.
Duberly said there was 'great excitement' at the couple's visit. 'We're delighted that they are with us. They've come to claim the county they're named after.'
'They have been very anxious to come'
Explaining the fact that the couple have not visited the county until now, he said, 'They have very a busy life with him having a full time job.'
Crowds stood three and four deep against crash barriers as the royals walked the short distance from the Guildhall to Cambridge University's Senate, where William was due to make a speech.
One admirer gave the Duke, an RAF search and rescue pilot, a baby-themed present - a little romper suit emblazoned with a picture of a helicopter and the words 'Daddy's little co-pilot'.
New mother Samantha Hill, 27, from Sudbury, Suffolk, had made the gift and she had brought her daughter Beth, who is four weeks old tomorrow, with her to see the royals.
She said: 'I made it for when his little one comes along, he's a helicopter pilot so his baby will think his daddy is cool.
'When I gave it to him he said "I'll keep that" and handed it to his aide.'
WHOOPS! KATE'S BELT IS UPSIDE DOWN, DID HER FRINGE GET IN HER EYES?
Kate's belted wool coat is the perfect choice for a day spent out and about in chilly Cambridge: stylish but simple and practical while still being on-trend.
Even better, the cashmere MaxMara coat was recently on sale reduced to £784 from £980 at department store House of Fraser.
Unfortunately Kate's heavy new fringe must have gotten in her eyes when she buttoned up in King's Cross this morning as the slimline belt that comes with the coat has been upside down all day.
Eagle-eyed fans noticed that the loops of the skinny bow appeared underneath the belt.
The plastic bow belt comes included with the dry-clean only coat but is obviously not attached, otherwise it might have saved style icon Kate some blushes.
How the MaxMara coat belt should look
Kate mistakenly wore the skinny bow belt upside down throughout her visit
Cambridge mayor Sheila Stuart said the royal visit will be remembered for generations
Catherine greets people during her visit to the Guildhall
The baby theme continued when Kate met another mother, Tessa Davies, 35, from Cambridge, who had given her son James the middle name William in honour of the Duke.
The Duchess tickled the baby's foot as she chatted to Ms Davies, who told the royal about her tribute to William.
Mother Tessa Davies said: 'She said how cute he was. He was due on their first wedding anniversary. His name is James William - the William was named after Prince William. I told her that and she said that was wonderful.'
She added: 'I wrote to Prince William and Kate to congratulate them on their wedding anniversary and told them he was due on that date. I got a lovely letter back saying how pleased they were.'
Onlooker Sarah Wood, a student at St John's college, who was holding James, said: 'She said 'hello cute little man''.
Kate spotted another baby, three and a half months Zachary Tiger Sargent, who was wearing a white romper suit. Mum Laura said: 'She asked what his name was and how old he was and shook his hand. She seemed very interested in him.'
Kate met 5-month-old James William Davies who was named after her husband William as she walked through the Market Square
William also spent time chatting to young fans as they completed their walkabout
5-month-old James William Davies (left) was named after Prince William, and new mother Samantha Hill gave the Duke of Cambridge a romper suit during his visit to the city
Thousands of well wishers had braved the rain to greet William and Kate as they went on a walk about on their way to the senate house
One admirer gave the Duke a baby-themed present - a little romper suit emblazoned with a picture of a helicopter and the words 'Daddy's little co-pilot'
William and Kate both wrapped up against the Cambridge chill in smart wool coats
After a pub lunch the couple visited Jimmy's homeless shelter where a romantic Italian chef made the Duchess of Cambridge blush when he kissed her on the hand and told her she was beautiful
The Duke and Duchess were introduced to Carmelo Giammona, 43, who has been living at Jimmy’s for two weeks after losing his job as a catering manager and being evicted from his home.
Mr Giammona, from Rocca di Mezzo near Rome, who has lived in the UK for 18 years, met the couple in the shelter’s kitchen, where he helps with the cooking.
As the Duchess entered the room, Mr Giammona took her hand and kissed it, prompting the Duchess to say: 'Oh, you’ve made me blush!'
Mr Giammona replied: 'You make me blush as well. You’re a beautiful lady.' He then asked the royal couple if he could have his picture taken with them, and they duly obliged, posing either side of him while another resident took a picture with a mobile phone.
As Mr Giammona explained how he teaches other residents to make healthy recipes using tinned food donated to the shelter and fresh vegetables, the Duke joked: 'I could do with some of your workshops myself,' then turned to his wife and said: 'Here’s the cooking expert.'
The Duke ate a chocolate and brazil nut biscuit made by homeless 24-year-old Sheldon Page, while the Duchess tried a ginger nut.
After being presented with a jar of the cookies to take home, the Duke said: 'Ah, you know me too well,' saying to the Duchess: 'This will keep us going for a while, won’t it.'
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on a tour of Jimmy's resettlement centre in Cambridge
Jimmy¿s was opened in 1995 in the basement of a Baptist church and is named after Jim Dilley, who spent the last few years of his life sleeping under a motorway bridge on the M11
Mr Giammona, who has organised events at Cambridge colleges where guests have included the Duke of Edinburgh, said he decided to kiss the Duchess’s hand on the spur of the moment.
'I was shaking when I asked them for a picture,' he admitted.
'I was shaking when I asked them for a picture,' he admitted.
Jimmy’s was opened in 1995 in the basement of a Baptist church and is named after Jim Dilley, who spent the last few years of his life sleeping under a motorway bridge on the M11.
Volunteers who had come across him at temporary shelters vowed to set up a permanent facility, and Jimmy’s now provides food and shelter to homeless people 365 days a year, helping more than 300 people annually.
As well as providing en-suite rooms, Jimmy’s offers free IT facilities, sport and leisure activities and specialist support to help people get their lives back on track.
The Duke is a long-term supporter of issues surrounding homelessness and has been Patron of Centrepoint, the UK’s leading charity for homeless young people, since 2005.
Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge meet shelter guest Carmelo Giammona at 'Jimmy's', a night shelter
The couple were shown one of the bedrooms, where they met former jocket Paul Mason, 52, who became homeless after his marriage broke up.
Mr Mason said: 'The Duke said "my Grandma is very fond of racing" and when I said I used to be based at Lambourn in Berkshire the Duchess said it was just near where she was from.'
Emma Hyde, 38, a former resident at the home who now works there and advises the government on homelessness, said: 'The visit has made homelessness a little bit more glamorous. If we can have someone like Kate associated with homelessness it will make other people think about homelessness and not just the image of a drunk on a bench with a bottle and a dog.'
After unveiling an engraved glass panel to officially open an extension to the centre, the couple were given a psychedelic piece of abstract art by former resident Twigg, 49, who was sporting tattoos on his shaved head and eight ear piercings.
He told the couple his art was 'a bit out there' and the Duke said it was 'Picasso-esque'.
Homeless catering manager Carmelo Giammona had his picture taken on a smartphone with the Duke and Duchess after he made Kate blush by kissing her hand and calling her beautiful
At Peterborough City Hospital the couple were greeted by thousands of cheering staff and patients.
The Duke and Duchess made their way first to the Orthopaedic Ward which deals with hip and knee replacements.
Among the patient they met were Sumi Willatt, 57, who had both legs amputated when she was three after suffering horrific injuries in a fire at her family home in Kenya.
Mrs Willatt, who came to England when she was 19, told Kate she had broken her femur in a fall a month earlier.
The Duchess told her: 'I think you are unbelievably brave. You must be desperate to get home by now.'
She also met pretty Emma Henson, seven, who suffers from a rare disorder which means her arteries and veins are entangled and has had her leg amputated.
She said: 'Kate was very pretty.'
Her mother Laura said: 'The hospital has been like a family to us.'
State of the art Peterborough City Hospital, which has 612 beds, was opened in November 2010 and was only finished in March this year.
The Duke and Duchess unveiled a plaque to formally open it and signed the visitors book.
Kate met Sumi Wilatt who had both legs amputated when she was three at the Peterborough City Hospital
Seven-year-old Emma Henson suffers from a rare disorder which means her arteries and veins are entangled and so she has had her leg amputated
The Duchess of Cambridge meets Mrs Dorothy West, age 96 ,during her visit Peterborough City Hospital
Earlier in the morning the Duchess of Cambridge revealed she had trouble controlling 'lots of troublesome Cubs' as she met a Scout Early this morning.
She and William were greeted by crowds of thousands as they made their first visit to the city that gave the name to their dukedom.
At a Guildhall reception, Kate told Jordan Wood, 17, who is the mayor of Cambridge's cadet: 'I love the position I have with the Scouts - I'm volunteering at the moment. There are lots of troublesome Cubs running around and things.'
Jordan, an A-level student, said of meeting William and Kate: 'It's brilliant, to be honest. I feel it's a great honour for me to be asked to do this. I remember watching the wedding back in April last year and thinking, 'I wonder if I will ever get to meet them.''
Cambridge mayor Sheila Stuart said the royal visit was 'absolutely huge'. She said: 'The thing for Cambridge is this day is going to be in people's memories for the rest of their lives. In 50 and 60 years people are going to be telling their grandchildren about it.'
At the Guildhall, the couple were shown the Royal Charter that awarded Cambridge city status in 1951 and met winners of community awards Including Oliver Duell and Joshua Behan, joint winners of the 'most courageous child' category.
The Duchess of Cambridge revealed today that she is a fan of television's University Challenge as she chatted with Cambridge scholars
Among the crowds was 'Union Jack man' Terry Hutt, 77, who camped out for four nights in London to get a prime viewing spot for the royal wedding.
Mr Hutt, who was the first of the crowd to arrive at 520am and hopes to present them with a Christmas card, said: 'I'm really looking forward to seeing both of them. I have been married 51 years and if they manage to get to that it will prove how well matched they are.'
Cambridge student Chuer Zhang, 18, from Northern Ireland, who is studying medicine at Christ's college, said: 'My friends at home said you must go to this. They are so jealous. William and Kate have brought the royal family up with the times. They are really lovely.'
Laura Miller, 35, from Gaminglay, a village near Cambridge, said: 'I have been following the royals since I was a baby. I went to see the royal wedding but I missed the balcony appearance. It's the perfect opportunity for me today to see William and Kate on the balcony.'
The Duchess of Cambridge also revealed today that she is a fan of television's University Challenge.
She disclosed her viewing pleasure to two Clare College students after asking them if they had taken part in the TV quiz.
'I love watching University Challenge,' she told economics undergraduate Fergus Todd, 20, and neurosciences postgraduate Moos Peeters, 26, during a reception for 400 Cambridge University staff and students at Senate House in the city.
'Are the colleges competitive? Do you take part in University Challenge?' The 30-year-old Duchess asked.
Fergus, who is president of his college's student union, said: 'We told her absolutely not. That is for the absolute elite.'
William admitted that he, too, is a fan of University Challenge. At the reception, held in a marquee in the grounds of Senate House, he told one don's wife who asked not to be named: 'I watched Trinity annihilate York. I could manage one question. The brain power in here is palpable. I'm finding it quite intimidating.'
Kate's coat is a £980 pale grey design by MaxMara and she teamed it with a pair of suede Aquatalia boots
Kate's new hairstyle had already drawn comparisons with Wiilliam's mother, the late Princess Diana
Catherine Duchess of Cambridge waved to the crowd of thousands that had gathered at Cambridge's Guildhall
Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge arrived at Kings Cross station to board a train to Peterborough early this morning
One guest cheekily told him it was fun to tease the French that Trinity College had more Nobel Prize winners than their entire nation.
'He said he was very tempted to put that in his speech but he thought better of it,' she added.
In his speech, he put it slightly more diplomatically, saying that the university as a whole had more Nobel Prize winners than all but a handful of countries.
Kate, who enjoys several sports, also revealed an interest in cricket when she met. Meeru Ravi, 20, a third year engineering student at Pembroke College who is captain of the university women's cricket team.
The all-rounder said: 'She said she had played cricket a few times and had some cricket kit, a pair of pads, that were too big for her.'
Jack Tavener, 24, president of Pembroke's graduate parlour and another engineer, presented the Duchess with a photo of him and other students and lab technicians watching the royal wedding on their computers.
'She seemed quite touched to receive that,' said former MI6 chief Sir Richard Dearlove, who is now Master of Pembroke.
Asked if he discussed security and intelligence issues with the Duchess, the former spymaster said: 'No because it wouldn't have been appropriate.'
Lord Sainsbury, the Chancellor of the university, welcomed the royal couple. 'We are proud to welcome you to the University of Cambridge on the first of what we hope will be many visits, as there is much to see,' he said. 'The city whose name you bear is, we believe, the most exciting in the Kingdom.'
To her suprise Kate met her cousin at the Senate, Dr Penny Barton who is a graduate tutor at Homerton College. She is Michael Middleton's first cousin and went to the royal wedding.
The pair greeted each other warmly.
Miss Barton said afterwards: 'She did look a bit surprised, although I think she knew I would be here 'I only saw her in the distance at the royal wedding to be honest, but we've had another family get-together since, so we've seen her in the last year or so.
'The family is terribly thrilled and very very proud because we think she does a good job and it's not easy walking about talking to lots of people and being genuinely interested in who she meets.'
At the end of a long and productive day the couple headed back into London by train from Peterborough but were so early for their train that they had to wait in the unglamorous surroundings of the back of the ticket office.
Passengers were held back by police so the group could board their First Class carriage.
Kate debuted her new hairstyle last night on a visit to London's Natural History Museum to open the new Treasures Gallery
VIDEO: Kate may have been regretting the fringe as she arrived in a blustery Cambridge
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