William and Kate return to St Andrews

Prince William and his fiancee Kate Middleton have put in another official Royal appearance, at the University of St Andrews in Scotland. On Thursday they carried out their first engagement as a couple, when they launched a lifeboat near their home on Anglesey.

Then, the talk of the tabloids was Kate’s parsimonious re-invention of her beige coat, which she had altered to make it shorter.

At St Andrews she wore bright red: she told some students in the crowd she’d forgotten it would be the same colour as the gowns worn by the undergraduate students. But Kate Middleton’s outfit, and her meet-and-greet abilities, were pronounced a success by everyone, it seemed.

It was six years ago that Prince William and Kate Middleton met at university in St Andrews. Prince William said Friday’s visit felt “like coming home”. He unveiled a plaque celebrating the university’s 600th anniversary, and the university said a newly created scholarship was an early wedding present for the couple.

The sun was shining and there were 3,000 people to face in the street outside. Kate Middleton can never be in the shade now.

This will be the bread and butter of her life now. The click of cameras will be the soundtrack to her life.

Within minutes of her appearance, pictures of her outfit (red suit and black gloves and boots) were being published – and picked over – on news sites and fashion blogs all over the world. Kate Middleton worked the crowd like a pro.

This will be the bread and butter of her life now. The click of cameras will be the soundtrack to her life. Two Chinese women in the crowd told ITN: “This is so exciting. It’s like a dream because William and Kate are so famous.”

The palace will be pleased at how the future Princess Kate is developing her public persona. It’s all good practice before the big day.

The Royal Wedding is in less than two months.