Kate MiddletonjoinedQueen Elizabethfor a special joint outing on Tuesday — their first since she joined the royal family in 2011.
Thefuture Queen got further insight into the life of the Sovereignwhen she and the monarch, 92, toured a high-tech university in central London. Kate and the Queen visited King’s College’s Strand campus, which is housed in the former BBC building, Bush House.
Press Association via AP Images
The event marks the first timeKate has had a joint appearance with the Queenwithout any other members of the royal family in attendance.
Queen Elizabeth and Kate Middleton.James Veysey/REX/Shutterstock
“They were chatting away,” Lord Waheed Alli, chancellor of De Montfort University, told PEOPLE at the time. “Kate would ask me things and then tell the Queen.”
The Queen and Kate also viewed the Duchess of Cambridge’s wedding dress at Buckingham Palace together, just the two of them, in 2011. But Tuesday marks their first public joint engagement without another member of the royal family.
Indigo/Getty
Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images
Princess Kate, 37, and the Queen arrived together on Tuesday in the courtyard that links the five Bush House buildings. They toured the education and learning facilities and then headed to the eighth floor where they saw one of the roof terraces that enjoys panoramic views across the city.
Queen Elizabeth and Kate Middleton.Joe Maher/Getty Images
Queen Elizabeth and Kate Middleton.Samir Hussein/WireImage
They also viewed a robotics demonstration, including robotic surgery, and one showing how sensors made from textiles can measure useful information about the body.
As she shook the robotic hand, Kate giggled and said: “Very nice to meet you!” When it gripped her hand back, she laughed and said: “So strange.”
The Queen looked slightly alarmed when the hand came near her anddecided not to grace it with a regal shake.
Kate Middleton.James Veysey/REX/Shutterstock
Outside on the terrace which overlooked central London, Kate and theQueen both remarked on the “impressive” view.
Inside, Kate met entrepreneur Aysha Ingar, who has set up an app for Muslimwomen, and Tobi Oredein, who has set up a media platform for black womenin the U.K.
Kate told Aysha and Tobi, “I come from an entrepreneurial backgroundand my parents started their own business, so I’m all for it!
“Congratulations and keep going.”
Kensington Palace Twitter
Paul Grover/Shutterstock
Kate also met with medical student Qasim Munye, 22, who has set up an app calledShortlyfor people who want to read short stories on the go, allowing people to choose a story that suits how much time they haveto read.
Kate said, “Oh, that would be fantastic for the kiddies when it’s bedtime. Particularly for tired parents who want the children to go to sleep!”
King’s College – which acquired the former broadcasting buildings in 2015 after the BBC’s departure in 2012 — is the fourth oldest university in England and has played a major role in world-beating research, including the discovery of DNA and the work that led to the development of televisions and radar and mobile phones.
The royals received matching bouquets upon their departure from the school.
Later on Tuesday, Kate will step out solo to visit London’s Foundling Museum to see work being done to help young adults get a foothold in art teaching. Over the weekend, Kate and husbandPrince Williamhelped mark St. Patrick’s Dayat a ceremony alongside the Irish Guards, while the Queen joined her granddaughterZara Tindall(as well as Meghan and Harry!) for thechristening of Zara’s second daughterLena.
source: people.com
