Kate Middleton Makes Solo Royal Rounds as Prince William Attends Funeral of Beloved Nanny

Duchess makes a series of appearances in Newcastle as the duke makes good on his promise to pay respects in person to his childhood carer

You can't keep a good duchess down.

While Prince William was otherwise somberly engaged today, saying an emotional goodbye to his childhood nanny at a funeral service in England, Kate Middleton was flying the flag solo today, making her picture-perfect way through Newcastle for a series of public engagements.

Kate, wearing a deep burgundy coat (the same high-necked number she wore for Christmas at Sandringham last year), black belt with gold buckle and her trusty black suede boots, started the day by paying a visit to the Newcastle Civic Centre, where she took part in some ball-tossing group excercises after greeting fans, meeting up with children there and even hugging an adorably eager little boy waiting outside.

As she made her way down the line, he threw up his arms and she asked, "Am I going to get a cuddle as well?" before happily obliging. Aw!

After leaving the center, Kate before stopped by one of the city's community garden projects and unveiled a new plaque dedication before helping plant some seeds.

The Duchess of Cambridge didn't stop there, and continued her full morning by meeting up with young women at the Keyfund Office charity as well as the Stockton Recovery Service, which is a charitable organization that helps people over 18 deal with drug addiction.

Meanwhile, Wills was one of 100 mourners at the funeral of Olga Powell, the nanny who cared for him and his brother Prince Harry throughout his childhood. Harry, sadly, was unable to attend, as he remains on active service in Afghanistan.