Kate Middleton Visits Children's Hospice, Participates in First Solo Engagement During Royal Tour

Duke and Duchess of Cambridge also formally opened the National Cycling Centre of Excellence and Avantidrome

By Jordana Ossad Apr 12, 2014 3:21 PMTags
Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William, Kate MiddletonMODE/AKM-GSI

Kate Middleton and Prince William participated in their first solo engagements during their three-week tour Down Under on Saturday.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge began their day together, as they disembarked from an aircraft in Hamilton, New Zealand. Kate looked elegant in a green wool crepe Erdem coat, Suzannah dress and black pumps, while William opted for a navy suit.

Well-wisher Bev Hayes, from Cambridge, complimented the 32-year-old on her lively green look and while Kate admitted she liked it, she said William thought it was "a bit bright."

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Prince William visited Pacific Aerospace where he viewed the manufacturing plant and the XSTOL aircraft, while Kate met with and enjoyed a tea party with children and families at the Rainbow Place Children's Hospice.

Kate spent time with young patients with life-threatening illnesses, children coping with parents who are terminally ill and grieving children.

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The royal couple reunited and paid their respects at the Cambridge War Memorial and then made their way to formally open the National Cycling Centre of Excellence and Avantidrome.

"It is a great honor for Catherine and me to be here to pay tribute to New Zealand's cycling heritage and its cycling future," William said. "I know what a special place cycling holds for New Zealanders, and what a beneficial and thrilling sport it is."

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No visit would be complete without a special gift for Prince George: his very own mini Avanti bike!

The precious prince wasn't present to test it out and take it for a spin; he stayed behind in Wellington with his nanny, Maria Teresa Turrion Borrallo.