Kate Middleton Helps the Queen Kick Off Her Diamond Jubilee in Style

Royal duo, accompanied by Prince Philip, begin four-month tour of the U.K. in honor of the sovereign's 60 years on the throne

For queen and country. And, of course, Kate Middleton.

That's what the thoroughly British crowd was after this morning, when thousands turned up to see the monarch and the duchess arrive (via train! Can you handle the normalcy?) to officially kick off the first day of her much-heralded Diamond Jubilee celebrations (er, Queen Elizabeth's, not Kate's...though all in good time).

So, what did the dynamic duo do in the first port of call on their quite literal whistlestop U.K. tour?

Well, after causing quite a stir when departing for the celebrations from London's St. Pancras train station this morning—Kate in a teal peplum skirt suit by old reliable L.K. Bennett and a James Lock hat; the queen in an Angela Kelly cashmere dress and coat and matching hat—the ladies, accompanied by Prince Philip, arrived at their destination a little over an hour later.

After the requisite greeting, flag-waving, hand-shaking and flower-accepting from the waiting crowd, the royals headed off to their first stop, De Montfort University, where they gathered to watch some cultural dances. Later, Kate and the queen watched a student fashion show while the Duke of Edinburgh made his way to the city's Square Mile Project, a university-run program which aims to improve the life and surroundings of the community.

Later, the group reconvened at Leicester Cathedral, where some 5,000 well-wishers lined the streets to catch a glimpse of the royal party. While they attended the nearly 700-strong service, the crowd outside couldn't help but overflow with excitement, breaking out into the national anthem not once but twice. God save the queen's eardrums.

The group's full day proceeded with a reception at St. Martin's House, just steps from the cathedral, where they met with outreach workers. It'll end later tonight when the queen, celebrating 60 years on the throne, will receive a gift from the city.

The tour will continue around the U.K. through July 25, when they will wrap up the celebrations with a final stop in southeast England.