Kate in GOAT for SportsAid Workshop
The Duchess of Cambridge continued her return to engagements with a visit to a SportsAid athlete workshop at the GSK Human Performance Lab in Brentford, West London, this afternoon.
Kate has been patron of the organisation since April 2013 and selected the organisation following her role as a London 2012 ambassador during the games. The Duchess is a keen sportswoman and thoroughly enjoys participating in sporting events during engagements, making SportsAid an ideal choice for her.
SportsAid
Below we see Her Royal Highness showing off her volleyball skills at another workshop for SportsAid in October 2013 and looking elegant in a black Temperley London dress for the annual SportsBall, the charity's annual gala dinner last November. There's no word on whether or not the Duchess plans to attend this year's ball, however, there's no mention of it on their information page (we wouldn't expect to see Kate there every year). It takes place later this month.
The Duchess met thirty SportsAid athletes who are potential Tokyo 2020 Olympic hopefuls as they took part in a number of advanced performance assessments. The resulting data will be supplied to their coaches to inform their training and competition programmes.
Kate chatted with the athletes.
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Tests the athletes underwent included strength and power assessments, cognitive testing, body composition assessments and tests in an environmental chamber set to match the heat and humidity.
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It demonstrates the incredible endurance of these athletes and the level of preparation each and every hopeful gives.
Kate offered support to athlete Emma Allen. Reporter Rebecca English revealed Kate walked over to chat to Emma and when she discovered she couldn't respond because her face was covered with a mask she burst into laughter.
The Duchess was joined at the workshop by swimmer Kerri-Anne Payne and wheelchair athlete David Weird, CBE, and a former recipient of the organisation's support.
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The purpose of SportsAid is to help the next generation of British athletes by being the first to recognise their achievements and boost their ambitions with financial and other support. Established in 1976, it has since helped many of the UK's best-known sportsmen and women, including two-thirds of the British team at London 2012. Athletes supported by SportsAid are typically aged from twelve to eighteen.
Clarence House Twitter Feed
The venue of the workshop will be one of interest to sportsmen and women. The GSK human performance lab carries out research with elite performers - athletes, sports teams, extreme explorers - to better understand how the body and brain function. This allows scientists to help develop improved training, recovery, nutrition and competition programmes for participants. In return the research helps GSK develop consumer healthcare products. No doubt, this will all have been of interest to Kate today.
GSK
Kate tried her hand at a cognitive test and said "Finally, something I can do while I'm pregnant". Normally we would see Kate in her blazer/skinny jeans/wedges joining in the sporting events.
More from the Mail Online:
'Kate was put through four tests of increasing difficulty by neuroscientist Barry O' Neill. The sporty Duchess said "You should have my husband here".
Afterwards Mr O' Neill was at pains to point out he wasn't being rude when he said the Duchess had done well "for a woman of her age". "She actually did very well for a woman of her age". he explained. "I'm not being rude, I must stress, but your reflexes do decrease every decade you age.'
"Jenson Button was here recently - he's 34 - and completed the tests without a single mistake". When this was explained to the Duchess, she seemed fascinated and said "It makes you wonder whether he is a good driver because he is so sharp mentally or whether the years of driving have honed it. It's remarkable that people haven't really thought of working the mind and body as one. This could be used in so many environments, even in an office. It is absolutely fascinating".
Kate posed with the athletes.
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Moving on to what Kate wore today.
The Duchess looked looked stylish in the Vreeland Shirt Dress by Goat. The £450 piece is a light crepe fit and flare dress, 100% wool, with a belted waist. It's a great transitional piece and Kate has long been a fan of shirt dresses. It's currently in stock in iris at Goat and in limited sizes in iris at DIANI.
GOAT
The dress is described as:
'The Vreeland dress is ultra-classic and demure. The collar and buttons on the top combined with the belted waist and skirt create an uncomplicated yet complimentary shape.'
A closer look at the Vreeland.
GOAT
The Duchess has been slowly incorporating more pieces by the British brand, synonymous with understated luxury, into her wardrobe. Below we see Kate in the labels very pretty coral Scarlett-Pleat Front Dress and the 1960s inspired Redgrave Coat. Both pieces remain available at Matches.
Ashley quickly identified the low block heel boots as the Russell & Bromley Half N Half. The boots are detailed with trademark stretch panel at the back for a clean fit and elongated silhouette. The boots are also available for US customers - the Stuart Weitzman Mezzamezza Suede Boots. They're identical apart from the Stuart Weitzman button logo and available for $598 at Bergdorf Goodman and Neiman Marcus (Get $100 off with the promo code NOV50).
Russell and Bromley
Kate accessorised with her diamond and sapphire earrings and Russell & Bromley black suede 'Muse' clutch.
You can watch a video from the engagement
on YouTube.
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Do you like Kate's look today?
In other news today, James Middleton has given an interview to Good Morning America to promote his business Boomf. In the interview Kate's brother revealed he gave William and Kate Lupo as a wedding gift and discusses how he wants to be "a cool and fun uncle" to Prince George. We're seeing Pippa and James Middleton in the media more and more. I'm not entirely sure this is a good idea, perhaps a topic for a future post? What do you think? You can watch the interview here.
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Do you like Kate's look today?
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In other news today, James Middleton has given an interview to Good Morning America to promote his business Boomf. In the interview Kate's brother revealed he gave William and Kate Lupo as a wedding gift and discusses how he wants to be "a cool and fun uncle" to Prince George. We're seeing Pippa and James Middleton in the media more and more. I'm not entirely sure this is a good idea, perhaps a topic for a future post? What do you think? You can watch the interview here.
Also today, as so many of our readers are from the US, you will no doubt have heard rumours regarding a possible visit to New York for William and Kate. Initially it was cited as a solo trip for Prince William, but now Kate is on the mend it appears quite likely she will join her husband for the trip to the big apple. The rumours appear to be true and we can expect official confirmation later today or tomorrow.
The Cambridges will reportedly undertake a three-day trip during which the couple will meet conservationists to discuss illegal poaching and meet with officials from charities including the World Wildlife Fund.
A spokesperson for the charity told the Mail Online:
'We will be in New York to talk about our Widlife Crime Project, which is why the Duke and Duchess are involved.'
Another reason for the trip is said to be the opportunity to unveil their new charity, United for Wildlife, which was created by The Royal Foundation of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry. The plan is it will be very much led by William, who is deeply passionate about conservation and will bring together the world's leading charities to create a global movement for change.
United for Widlife
We look forward to bringing you all the details of this trip once the Palace confirm it. We'll see you all tomorrow evening when the Cambridges attend the Royal Variety Performance; Kate will be in a full-length gown. Do you have any early style predictions?
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