Kate's royal life: Highlights of her first 5 years

April 27, 2016

<strong>First official duty as a married woman: May 2011
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<p>Just one month after their wedding and returning from their honeymoon in the Seychelles, Prince William and Kate carried out their first joint engagement as a married couple.
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<p>The Duke and Duchess gave Barack and Michelle Obama a warm welcome at Buckingham Palace and spent 20 minutes – twice as long as scheduled – speaking to their guests.
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<p>Although the 44th President of the United States and the First Lady weren't present at the royal wedding, they chatted about how much the people of the US loved watching William and Kate tie the knot at Westminster Abbey.
</p> Photo: © Getty Images

First overseas tour: July 2011

Kate and William clearly had their time of their lives during their first ever overseas tour in July 2011, just three months after their wedding.

The pair spent 12 days in the US and Canada, and couldn't help but giggle in their matching cowboy hats as they watched a rodeo demonstration billed "The Greatest Outdoor Show On Earth" on the last day of their tour in Calgary, Canada.

The couple watched as a succession of cowboys rode bucking bulls in front of them. "Oh my God! Oh my!" said Kate, biting her lip, as Scott Schniffer, 31, a former Canadian champion, stayed on for eight seconds before being thrown.

Watching a five-year-old boy take part in the children's version, by riding on a mutton, Kate exclaimed: "He's so cute! So young, so brave!"

Photo: © Getty Images

First solo engagement: October 2011

The Duchess made her first ever solo engagement when Prince Charles had to pull out of a charity dinner for In Kind Direct in October 2011.

Kate looked calm and collected as she greeted visitors at the Clarence House reception in a beautiful pale green gown. A palace aide said at the time: ''The Duchess had a little bit of time beforehand to prepare for the engagement – it all went very well. She was so pleased that her first solo engagement was for the Prince of Wales, who has shown her so much support over the years.''

The chief executive of In Kind Direct Robin Boles spoke about the new royal's presence at the event, saying: "We were delighted that the Duchess was able to step in at such short notice after our founder was unexpectedly called away. The Duchess hosted a very special evening with absolute professionalism and charm."

Photo: © Getty Images

<strong>100 Women in Hedge Funds dinner: October 2011
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<p>As patron of 100 Women in Hedge Funds' Philanthropic Initiatives, Kate attended a gala dinner that was held in aid of the Child Bereavement Charity in October 2011.
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<p>Looking stunning in a red Beulah gown, the Duchess smiled as she greeted fundraisers at St James's Palace.
</p> Photo: © Getty Images

<strong>First overseas engagement: November 2011
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<p>Kate joined Prince William on her first joint humanitarian mission to Denmark in late 2011. Wearing an L.K. Bennett coat, knee high black boots while sporting her signature bouncy waves, the Duchess looked relaxed and content as she greeted Denmark's Crown Prince Frederik and his wife, Crown Princess Mary.
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<p>During their time there, the couple visited a Unicef famine relief depot and toured a British Airways Boeing 747 carrying emergency medical supplies.
</p> Photo: © Getty Images

<strong>First Christmas as a royal: December 2011
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<p>For her first Christmas as a royal, Kate joined Prince William, Prince Charles, the Duchess of Cornwall, Zara Tindall and Princess Margaret's son, Viscount Linley at Sandringham.
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<p>The group attended a Christmas service at St Mary Magdalene Church and several hundred well-wishers came out on the morning of the 25th to catch a glimpse of the Duchess, who smiled as she entered the church with her husband and Prince Harry.
</p> Photo: © Getty Images

First public speech: March 2012

In March 2012, Kate carried out an engagement at The Treehouse Children's Hospice in Ipswich, England, for which she is patron. The expectant hush that descended over the children's hospice preceded a monumental royal moment – the Duchess of Cambridge's first public address.

Slightly nervous but intently focused, Kate began a new chapter of her career with words several weeks in the writing, which she penned herself.

"First of all, I'd like to say thank you. Thank you for not only accepting me as your patron, but for inviting me here today," she said. "You've all made me feel so welcome and I feel hugely honoured to be here to see this wonderful centre.

"I'm only sorry William can't be here today, he would love it here… through teamwork so much can be achieved. What you have achieved here is extraordinary."

Stepping down from the podium after her address, Kate admitted: "I find doing speeches nerve-wracking". But the poised delivery earned her thundering applause and was an indication of how much she had evolved in her role.

Her speech no doubt sent ripples of pride through the ranks of senior members of the royal family, who are accomplished public speakers and are said to have counselled the new Duchess ahead of her visit.

Photo: © Getty Images

<strong>Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations: 2012
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<p>Kate was an irreplaceable part of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations in 2012, and was all smiles as she sat with her husband's grandmother during part of Her Majesty's Diamond Jubilee tour.
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<p>The pair clearly got along well as they laughed together while watching a children's sporting event at Vernon Park in Nottingham.
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<p>Kate and her husband William joined in the fun, taking turns to throw foam javelins while crowds cheered.
</p> Photo: © Getty Images

<strong>The London Olympics: July 2012
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<p>Prince William and Kate showed their sporty sides as they cheered for Team GB at the London Olympics in 2012.
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<p>As Ambassadors for Team Great Britain, the couple shared a moment of affection as Prince William embraced his wife while the pair watched Philip Hindes, Jason Kenny and Sir Chris Hoy win the gold and set a new world record in the Men's Team Sprint Track Cycling.
</p> Photo: © Getty Images

<strong>Second overseas tour: September 2012
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<p>Kate's classic yet stunning style turned heads during her second overseas tour of Southeast Asia and the Pacific.
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<p>In an outfit reminiscent to Princess Diana's when she visited mosques in Egypt, Kate looked stunning in a white headscarf and Beulah dress as she visited the Assyakirin Mosque in Malaysia.
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<p>During their 20-minute tour, William and Kate were full of questions for their local guide. Kate remarked: "It's so peaceful in here."
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<p>Before leaving, the Duchess sat down to sign a guest book and sharing a private joke with her husband, she quipped: "I should get this right."
</p> Photo: © Getty Images

<strong>Asia Pacific tour: September 2012
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<p>Kate and William visited Tuvalu during their Asia Pacific tour to discuss climate change at the University of the South Pacific.
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<p>The couple were given a warm welcome as they were carried ashore on ornate chairs.
</p> Photo: © Getty Images

<strong>Announcing her first pregnancy: December 2012
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<p>Kate spent three nights at King Edward VII hospital following her struggles with acute morning sickness in December 2012.
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<p>The Duchess's hospitalisation meant that news of Kate's pregnancy was released earlier than planned, but she looked in good spirits as she smiled at the crowds gathered to wish her a get well soon outside the hospital.
</p> Photo: © Getty Images

<strong>Presenting with David Beckham: December 2012
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<p>In her first official appearance since her hospitalisation for acute morning sickness, a pregnant Kate played a starring role at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards.
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<p>The Duchess was joined on stage by sporting hero David Beckham to present the Lifetime Achievement Award to runner Sebastian Coe and BBC Sport's Personality of the Year to Bradley Wiggins.
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<p>Kate looked stunning in a floor length emerald Alexander McQueen gown, showing no hint of a baby bump just yet.
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<p>The royal was clearly in her element as an Ambassador for Team GB as she chatted to award recipients backstage. She also told fellow presenter Gary Lineker that she was "very well" following her hospitalisation.
</p> Photo: © PA

<strong>Adding to her charity workload: February 2013
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<p>In her role as patron for Action of Addiction, Kate visited Hope House, the residential treatment centre in February 2013.
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<p>With her small baby bump showing, Kate looked positively glowing as she greeted a little girl who presented her with a bouquet of flowers. She spoke to the charity's Chief Executive Nick Barton, and told him how pleased she was to be visiting the centre again.
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<p>Speaking about Kate's choice to support a charity focused on addiction recovery, the centre's manager Suzanne Hakimi said: "It's incredibly brave for someone who's new in the royal family to take on a charity that works with the darker side of life, and also the lighter side of life."
</p> Photo: © Getty Images

<strong>The Queen's 60th Coronation anniversary: June 2013
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<p>With just a month to go before her due date, Kate showed off her fantastic maternity style at the service of celebration for the Queen's 60th anniversary of her coronation.
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<p>Dressed in a matching pink dress and jacket, Kate joked with her husband and her brother-in-law Prince Harry as they entered the service.</p>

<strong>Presenting their royal baby to the world: July 2013
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<p>Prince William and Kate introduced their newborn son to the world outside the Lindo Wing of St Mary's Hospital on 23 July 2013.
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<p>The Duchess wore a light blue Jenny Packham dress with white polka dots, and looked overjoyed as she cradled Prince George, who weighed eight pounds six ounces.
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<p>The pair still hadn't decided on a name for their new bundle of joy at that point, with William telling well-wishers: "He's got a good pair of lungs on him that's for sure. We're still working on a name for him."
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<p>The new dad also quipped that luckily George had inherited his "mom's looks".
</p> Photo: © Getty Images

<strong>Prince George's first official photo: August 2013
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<p>In a break from royal tradition, William and Kate's first official portrait of baby George was not taken by an official photographer but instead Kate's father, Michael Middleton.
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<p>The Duchess looked to have settled into her new role as she cradled her baby close and glowed in a pink Seraphine dress. Her husband William and their pet dog, Lupo, completed the sweet photo.
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<p>The picture also set a trend for William and Kate not to use official photographers for all of their children's photoshoots. Princess Charlotte's first snaps were taken by her doting mum Kate.
</p> Photo: © Getty Images

<strong>First night out after giving birth to Prince George: September 2013
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<p>In her first official appearance after giving birth to Prince George, Kate looked radiant in a sparkling Jenny Packham evening gown and Jimmy Choo heels. The new mum was attending the Tusk Conservation Awards at The Royal Society by Prince William's side.
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<p>William joked: "This is our first evening out without [Prince George]. Please excuse us if you see us nervously casting surreptitious glances at mobiles."
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<p>"Catherine and I very much hope to introduce George to east Africa – a place we know and love – in the fullness of time," added the Prince.
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<p>The continent holds a special place in the royal couple's heart, after William proposed to Kate at a remote safari lodge in Kenya in 2010.
</p> Photo: © Getty Images

<strong>Return to royal engagements after the birth of Prince George: October 2013
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<p>Kate showed off her amazing post-baby body just three months after giving birth to baby George. The Duchess played volleyball in skinny jeans and a striped T-shirt at the SportsAid Athlete Workshop in October 2013.
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<p>Kate, who was wearing a pair of high wedged heels, joked she should wear better footwear next time so she could join in with more activities.
</p> Photo: © Getty Images

<strong>Prince George's christening: October 2013
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<p>At the christening of her first child in October 2013, Kate was a vision in a white dress and fascinator. The new mum was the picture of happiness as she carried baby George, who was three months old, to the church.
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<p>The baby boy was dressed in a traditional cream gown, and was as good as gold during the ceremony.
</p> Photo: © Getty Images

<strong>The couple's first royal tour with Prince George: April 2014
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<p>Eight months into motherhood, Kate was clearly thriving in her new role. She and William decided to take their son Prince George on his first official long-haul tour to Australia and New Zealand in April 2014 – the same trip William made as a baby.
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<p>As Kate carried George off the plane in Canderra, Australia, the new mum smiled to well-wishers, while her son looked slightly more sleepy having woken from his nap.
</p> Photo: © Getty Images

<strong>Kate and Prince George's special playdate session: April 2014
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<p>It was a sweet, tender moment captured on camera – and Kate later revealed that the photo of Prince George cuddling up to her was one of her favourites from their Australia and New Zealand tour.
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<p>The mother-son duo were attending a special playdate with the Plunkett's Parent's Group in Wellington. William and Kate chatted to other parents as Prince George met children his age and played on the floor of a room scattered with toys.
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<p>Fellow Parent Jared Mullen, who attended the event, said: "In many ways, [Prince William and Kate are] in the same boat as all of us who are trying to get used to it, and it was just very nice to have a relaxed time."
</p> Photo: © Getty Images

Prince George's first birthday: July 2014

It was hard to believe that a year had gone by when Prince George celebrated his first birthday. To mark the future King's big day in July 2014, Prince William and Kate released new portraits of George walking without the help of his parents.

The family had made a private trip to the Natural History Museum just weeks before, where they toured the Sensational Butterflies exhibition.

Press Association photographer John Stillwell commented on the young royal's development, saying: "He's quick on his feet. He was walking towards me – I was kneeling down to take the picture and he was on top of me as soon as he started walking."

John added: "Prince George was very lively and very sure of himself and confident – a very determined young boy."

Photo: © Getty Images

Mixing with music royalty: November 2014

The Queen and Prince Charles usually take turns in attending the annual Royal Variety Performance, so when Prince William and Kate first attended in 2014, three years into their marriage, it was thought to show that the younger generation of the royal family would be stepping in more often for official engagements.

The Duke and Duchess, who looked beautiful in a Diane von Furstenberg gown, were greeted by Andrew Lloyd Webber and his wife, Madeleine Gurdon, and Kate grinned as she was introduced to One Direction band member Harry Styles at the London Palladium.

Kate, who was pregnant with Princess Charlotte, admitted that she and William enjoyed watching The X Factor.

Pop star Harry later told reporters, "I said congratulations on the bump" although he added Kate "didn't look bumpy".

<strong>Princess Charlotte's birth: May 2015
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<p>Kate gave birth to her second child, Princess Charlotte of Cambridge, at 8:34am on 2 May 2015. The now fourth-in-line to the throne weighed eight pounds three ounces.
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<p>Kate looked beautiful as she briefly presented her daughter to the crowds, just hours after giving birth at the exclusive Lindo Wing, the same suite where she delivered Prince George.
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<p>The mom-of-two was radiant in a floral yellow dress and fussed over her daughter as she waved to the crowds. "Do you think she's cold?" Kate asked William, to which he replied: "No, she is fine. She's good."
</p> Photo: © Getty Images

<strong>Princess Charlotte's christening: July 2015
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<p>Two months after giving birth to her daughter Princess Charlotte, Kate and her family stepped out for the baby's christening. The Duchess looked elegant in a white dress, and waved to well-wishers while pushing an old fashioned perambulator to the church on the Queen's Sandringham Estate.
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<p>Kate and her husband William had chosen to have their little girl baptised in the same church as Princess Diana.
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<p>Big brother George also made a heart-warming appearance and was pictured talking to the Queen, who he calls "Gan-Gan."
</p> Photo: © Getty Images

<strong>Kate returns from maternity leave: September 2015
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<p>Wearing a Ralph Lauren dress, Kate chatted to Andrea Noguera of the parents' panel during her visit to the Anna Freud Centre in September 2015. It was the royal's first official solo engagement following the birth of Princess Charlotte.
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<p>Peter Fonagy, the charity's chief executive, said of Kate's visit: "It's a very significant step on our journey to try and establish a good mental health for children and young people in England."
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<p>The Duchess marked her return from maternity leave with a series of autumn and winter engagements, primarily focused on mental health.
</p> Photo: © Getty Images

<strong>Kate's surprise prison visit: September 2015
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<p>Marking the end of her maternity leave, Kate surprised royal watchers when she went behind bars to meet prisoners and ex-offenders at the women's HM prison near Woking, Surrey.
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<p>Dressed in a white $670 Eaton dress, Kate visited the prison for the first time and met inmates who had received treatment for addiction with the Rehabilitation of Addicted Prisoners Trust charity.
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<p>A former inmate who was at the event revealed how Kate interacted with the women involved in the charity. She said: "When royals visit prisons you kind of think, it's for show, but you could see she was genuinely interested in addiction and mental health."
</p> Photo: © Getty Images

<strong>First state banquet: October 2015
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<p>Kate looked resplendent in a red Jenny Packham gown and the spectacular Papyrus/Lotus Flower tiara as she sat pride of place next to the Chinese President, Xi Jinping.
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<p>The pair were attending a lavish state banquet – Kate's first – that was held at Buckingham Palace in honour of the royal family's Chinese guests. The Duchess shared a toast with the politician following the Queen's speech.
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<p>Making her glittering banquet debut, the sumptuous affair also marked Kate's first big glamorous night out following the end of her maternity leave.
</p> Photo: © Getty Images

<strong>Kate's red-carpet appearance at the Bond premiere: October 2015
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<p>The royal trio dazzled as they arrived at the Royal Albert Hall to watch the much awaited premiere of the new Bond film, Spectre.
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<p>Flanked by the two dapper Princes, Kate stole the show in a pale blue Jenny Packham gown. She had her hair intricately styled into a stunning updo, and accessorised with a silver clutch bag.
</p> Photo: © Getty Images

<strong>Kate's outdoor pursuits: November 2015
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<p>She can't be faulted for not trying! The sporty Duchess stepped out of her comfort zone and had a go at abseiling during an engagement in North Wales in November 2015.
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<p>Kate wasn't afraid to have a go and laughed as she descended the wall wearing a harness and helmet.
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<p>Prince William went first, and double checked Kate was holding his ropes properly to which she said: "I'm quite enjoying this actually. For once I'm in control!"
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<p>When asked how their insurance was, the Duchess jokingly added: "William, how much do you love me?"
</p> Photo: © Getty Images

<strong>ICAP Charity Day: December 2015
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<p>Prince William and Kate howled with laughter together as they visited the ICAP's brokers to speak to customers, close deals and help boost trading volumes in December 2015.
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<p>As Kate spoke to a broker named Andrew over the phone, William joked: "Catherine, I think you can stop flirting with them now," but joked with another broker: "Sorry my wife is just embarrassing me!"
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<p>The couple regularly take part in ICAP charity days. Other members of the royal family who have followed suit include Princess Beatrice and Prince Harry.
</p> Photo: © Getty Images

<strong>Guest editing for mental health: February 2016
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<p>A keen champion of children's mental health, Kate spent the day guest editing <em>The Huffington Post</em> in February 2016. The Duchess was showing her support for the publication's Young Minds Matter initiative, which was designed to raise awareness for children's mental health issues.
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<p>Kate penned a blog post on the site, writing: "Like most parents today, William and I would not hesitate to seek help for our children if they needed it.
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<p>"I hope to encourage George and Charlotte to speak about their feelings, and to give them the tools and sensitivity to be supportive peers to their friends as they get older. We know there is no shame in a young child struggling with their emotions or suffering from a mental illness."
</p> Photo: © Getty Images

<strong>Meeting the Queen of Bhutan: April 2016
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<p>Ahead of William and Kate's royal tour of Bhutan, there was much hype surrounding the fact that the couple would finally meet the king and queen, who are dubbed the "William and Kate of the Himalayas".
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<p>The two couples got on formidably well and no doubt exchanged stories about their children. The king and queen recently welcomed their little prince in February and will have gladly received tips from William and Kate.
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<p>The Cambridges gifted the queen a framed rose, named after her, while Kate in return was given a necklace.
</p> Photo: © Getty Images

Following in Princess Diana's footsteps: April 2016

It was perhaps the defining moment of William and Kate's royal tour of India.

Some 24 years after Diana, Princess of Wales visited the Taj Mahal – one of the most famous symbols of India – William and Kate followed in the Princess's footsteps.

There were doubts whether the couple would recreate the same pose as Diana, who was famously pictured sitting on a bench outside the sacred monument in 1992, but William and Kate willingly obliged.

"I hope you've got the symmetry right, Arthur," the Duke even joked to veteran royal photographer Arthur Edwards, who was among those who had photographed Diana in the nineties.

An aide later explained that William and Kate wanted to pose on 'Lady Di's chair' because it was what "all tourists do when visiting the Taj Mahal".