Kate Middleton meets Dr Jill Biden in Cornwall to discuss female empowerment and education
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The Duchess and the First Lady: Kate and Jill Biden meet for first time as they visit primary school in Cornwall for talk with education experts during G7 summit
- Kate Middleton, 39, went to a Cornish primary school with FLOTUS today on first full day of G7 summit
- Kate and Dr Jill met with teachers and children before education round table to discussed shared passions
- Duchess has joined the Queen, 95, and Camilla, 72, in Cornwall for G7 Summit being hosted by Boris Johnson
- Royals including Prince Charles and Prince William out to woo world leaders on Britain’s scenic south west
There’s nothing like a trip to the coast to blow the cobwebs away, and Kate Middleton appeared in great spirits as she joined Dr Jill Biden today at the start of the G7 summit.
The Duchess of Cambridge, 39, cut an elegant figure in the £1,125 fuchsia midi dress from Alexander McQueen and carrying a £225 L.K. Bennett handbag that matched her shoes as she arrived to meet the President’s wife, 70, who also wore pink.
They were meeting children aged four and five at the Connor Downs Academy near Camborne this afternoon followed by a round table discussion with UK education experts convened by Kate.
The royal mother-of-three and the US First Lady discussed female empowerment, children and early education during a seminar. Kate is at the centre of Britain’s diplomatic mission to woo the US as Boris Johnson pushes for a quick free trade deal with Joe Biden as well as a quarantine-free travel corridor this summer.
The Duchess met Donald Trump and Melania when they visited the UK in 2019, after tweets from 2012 emerged where he blamed Kate for sunbathing ‘nude’ when the French magazine Closer published the pictures. The Cambridges successfully sued the publisher over their ‘grotesque’ decision.
Today FLOTUS and the Duchess came in to the classroom wearing face masks and were greeted by silence from the over-awed children.
‘They’ve scared to death,’ FLOTUS joked of the kids. ‘It’s the quietest class I’ve ever been to. How old are you?’ the Duchess added.
They met the teachers and learned about how the kids were learning about how to make the world a better place. The kids are learning words and sounded them out with FLOTUS.
The Duchess of Cambridge and US First Lady Jill Biden couldn’t stop smiling during a visit to Connor Downs Academy in Hayle, West Cornwall, during the G7 summit in Cornwall.
Kate Middleton and First Lady at the Connor Downs Academy near Camborne this afternoon looking at a project with the children
Dr Jill showed children a picture of the White House, where she lives with the US President Joe Biden. The young students have been learning about it ahead of the visit
The Duchess of Cambridge talks with children in the school’s Reception Class this afternoon
The Duchess of Cambridge, 39, cut an elegant figure in a red dress with matching shoes as she arrived to meet the President’s wife Dr Jill Biden in Cornwall this afternoon
Think pink like the Duchess of Cambridge in a dress by Alexander McQueen
Ever since she wore that stunning gown on her wedding day, the Duchess of Cambridge has had a very special relationship with designer label Alexander McQueen.
She has worn McQueen for some of her most important events and engagements in the decade since then, so it’s really no surprise to see her debut this dahlia pink pencil dress to meet Dr. Jill Biden today in Cornwall today. The First Lady wore pink too thanks to her L’Agence blazer so they matched perfectly.
Those shoulder pads are classic McQueen, and we love the twist neck detailing, slim fit and belted waist too. Unfortunately it has now sold out, but click (right) for a closer look, then head to our edit below, where you’ll find a similar style by the label.
Or copy Kate for less with sleek pencil dresses from the likes of Karen Millen and Shein below.
* PRICES MAY NOT BE AS ADVERTISED
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Kate was animated when they first met and both discussed their passion for early years learning
US First Lady Jill Biden talks with children about the White House, which the class has been studying
Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, left, and US First Lady Jill Biden, carrying carrots for the school rabbit, Storm
Jill and Kate laughed as they met the class rabbit Storm, who was munching on vegetables
They were meeting staff and children at the Connor Downs Academy near Camborne this afternoon and a round table discussion with UK education experts convened by Kate
The Duchess of Cambridge (right) and US First Lady Jill Biden, leading a roundtable discussion with a number of representatives from the early years sector
Kate also said she was overjoyed that Meghan and Harry had a second child – but admitted she has not met the child virtually yet
The Duchess and FLOTUS were seated next to each other but talking to different group of kids. Duchess is asking their names and looking at their drawings. She also helped the children sound out words.
Kids are reading ‘Greta and the Giant.’ ‘Do you know this series?’ the Duchess asked FLOTUS.
‘I know Greta of course,’ FLOTUS said.
They also visited the other table of kids. Dr. Biden helped some with legos. They also watched the kids draw.
Lots of praise from the two of them for the kids.
Dr. Biden answered a question on importance of early childhood education.
‘It’s very important to the foundation. As a teacher at the upper levels if they don’t have a good foundation they fall so far behind. This is amazing to see how far advanced they are.’
Children gathered around three tables with some sitting on the floor without face masks, which Jill and Kate were wearing.
The two women met for the first time at Connor Downs Academy in Hayle in the county of Cornwall where world leaders have gathered for their summit.
The duchess and the First Lady toured a classroom meeting some of the younger children at the school which teaches four to 11-year-olds.
They also brought carrots which were fed by the children to the school’s pet rabbits in the grounds of the Academy.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are taking part in their first G7 events, another milestone in their progression as senior royals.
Kate and the FLOTUS attended the school in Cornwall because they share a passion for education and children
US First Lady Jill Biden (second from left) and the Duchess of Cambridge (right) talk with children in the schoolÕs Reception Class during a visit to Connor Downs Academy in Hayle
Dr Jill spoke to children and joked ‘They’ve scared to death’ before the students warmed up
Jill Biden talked to children about their reading and writing during the primary school visit
Kate and Jill both remarked on how well behaved the children, with Dr Biden declaring: ‘They’re so smart’
The Duchess of Cambridge’s event has kickstarted the G7 summit in Cornwall
A student holds up a piece of work, which they marveled at
The two women met for the first time at Connor Downs Academy in Hayle in the county of Cornwall where world leaders have gathered for their summit
The duchess and the First Lady toured a classroom meeting some of the younger children at the school which teaches four to 11-year-olds
Prime Minister Boris Johnson holds a bilateral meeting with Justin Trudeau, the Prime Minister of Canada as he chairs the G7 Leaders Summit in Carbis Bay
The President of the United States, Joe Biden stands next to the The Prime Minister, Boris Johnson giving a thumbs up in front of the G7 sign while at the G7 Leaders’ Summit. Carbis Bay, Cornwall
President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden are greeted by British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his wife Carrie Johnson, ahead of the G-7 summit, Thursday, June 10
Tories voiced fury at the obstructive stance from Emmanuel Macron (pictured arriving at the G7 summit with wife Brigitte today)
G7 leaders including Angela Merkel arrived for the summit in Carbis Bay, Cornwall today
Italian PM Mario Draghi waved to waiting media as he arrived at the summit in Cornwall today
Today marks the first time the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have attended official G7 summit events, marking another milestone in their progression as senior royals.
Kate wore her bouncy brunette locks styled in her signature side parting and opted for minimal makeup as she sported a simple smokey eye.
According to CNN, the pair are also set to tour a school in Cornwall as part of their meeting later today.
The duchess has made early years development one of the main pillars of her public role since she first became a member of the royal family.
In 2020, she launched her Early Years survey, a a milestone moment for her work on the importance of early childhood in shaping the rest of our lives and broader societal outcomes.
In 2018 she created a steering group to investigate the link between childhood experiences and adult behaviour and hopes that the results of their survey and other research will encourage a ‘nationwide conversation’ on the subject, raising awareness of how the first five years of a child’s life will impact the next 50 years.
In the evening, the Queen and Prince Charles are set to host a reception at the Eden Project for the world leaders and their spouses.
William and Kate will join the Queen, the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall at the reception at the Eden Project on Friday evening.
Prince Charles will host an additional reception where he will brief leaders on his ‘sustainable markets initiative’.
The Royal Family will then depart and the leaders and their spouses will then have dinner, prepared by local chef Emily Scott before returning to the summit venue at Carbis Bay.
The Big Jubilee Lunch will form part of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations in 2022 and during Friday the monarch, joined by Kate and Camilla, will attend an event in celebration of The Big Lunch, an initiative spearheaded by the Eden Project.
The royal party will meet local Big Lunch volunteers and thank them for their efforts supporting their communities through the challenges of the past year.
On Sunday, President Biden and his wife Jill will travel to Windsor Castle for an audience with the Queen – their first official meeting since he became president.
When asked about the visit, Jill Biden said: ‘Well, we’re hoping to focus, I think, on education.
US First Lady Jill Biden described the summit and their visit to the UK as a ‘beautiful beginning’
This will be the third time Kate has met with a President and his wife having met Barack and Michelle Obama back in 2011 and 2016 (pictured, in 2016)
‘Joe and I are both looking forward to meeting the Queen. That’s an exciting part of the visit for us.
‘We’ve looked forward to this for weeks and now it’s finally here. It’s a beautiful beginning.’
The appearance from Kate comes amid a difficult week for the family, following what would have been the Duke of Edinburgh’s 100th birthday.
Yesterday members of the royal family took to social media to pay tribute to Prince Philip.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge took to the Kensington Royal Twitter and shared two snaps of the Queen planting a beautiful ‘Duke of Edinburgh’ rose in the East Terrace Garden in Prince Philip’s honour on Wednesday.
Meanwhile earlier this week Prince Harry threatened the BBC with legal action after it reported that he and Meghan Markle did not ask the Queen for permission to name their daughter Lilibet – as an extraordinary three-way briefing war broke out between the Sussexes, the Palace and the corporation.
The appearance from Kate comes amid a difficult week for the family, following what would have been the Duke of Edinburgh’s 100th birthday
Senior Buckingham Palace sources told BBC royal correspondent Jonny Dymond this morning that the Queen was ‘never asked’ her opinion on the couple’s decision to name their new baby after her childhood nickname.
However, Harry hit back within 90 minutes of the BBC’s report being published through a statement from his and Meghan’s close friend Omid Scobie that insisted the Queen was the first person the Duke called after the birth of his daughter.
Mr Scobie, who wrote the bombshell Finding Freedom biography of the couple, also claimed the Sussexes would not have used the name Lilibet unless the Queen had supported the move.
Harry, who together with wife Meghan announced they were expecting a girl during their interview with Oprah in March, took things a step further mere hours after his rebuttal of the report, threatening the BBC with legal action through law firm Schillings.
Notice of the legal action was followed by a carefully-worded statement that raised more questions than answers over whether the Queen did give permission or if the couple simply informed her of their intentions in a fait accompli.
The statement insisted that the BBC report was wholly wrong and read: ‘The Duke spoke with his family in advance of the announcement, in fact his grandmother was the first family member he called.
‘During that conversation, he shared their hope of naming their daughter Lilibet in her honour. Had she not been supportive, they would not have used the name.’
The BBC then amended its report though the article still says that the Queen was not asked about the name of the baby. Mr Dymond’s tweets citing a Buckingham Palace source also still remain up.
The BBC report on the Palace’s position and Harry’s fiery reaction implies both parties believe they are telling the truth on the issue. It suggests that Harry and Meghan could have informed the Queen of Lilibet’s name before taking Her Majesty’s non-denial as consent.
On the other hand, the Palace briefings appear to hint that the Queen felt she was presented with the couple’s decision and asked to rubber stamp it, rather than give permission.
Pink ladies! Kate Middleton co-ordinates with First Lady Dr Jill Biden in £1,125 fuchsia Alexander McQueen dress as they visit school in Cornwall to discuss female empowerment
Kate Middleton was a vision in pink as she met with Dr Jill Biden at a school in Cornwall today to discuss female empowerment ahead of the G7 summit.
The Duchess of Cambridge, 39, cut an elegant figure in the £1,125 fuschia midi dress from Alexander McQueen and carrying a £225 LK Bennett handbag as she arrived to meet the President’s wife at a local school this afternoon.
The two chatted together as they walked into the school, with Dr Jill matching Kate in a white dress and wearing a bright pink Lagence Fashion blazer from her wardrobe.
The mother-of-three and the US First Lady are set to discuss female empowerment, children and early education during their meeting.
Kate Middleton was a vision in pink as she met with Dr Jill Biden at a school in Cornwall today to discuss female empowerment ahead of the G7 summit
Kate wore her bouncy brunette locks styled in her signature side parting and opted for minimal makeup as she sported a simple smokey eye.
Her fuschia pink dress, which is currently sold out online, is described as perfect for a ‘first date’.
The silk dress, which was made in Italy, appears to have been slightly customised for the Duchess, with a longer hemline and a bold sixties style belt added.
The Duchess has long been a fan of Alexander McQueen, with the luxury house designing her iconic wedding gown and becoming a go-to of the royal since her marriage to Prince William in April 2011.
Kate wore her bouncy brunette locks styled in her signature side parting and opted for minimal makeup as she sported a simple smokey eye
L.K. Bennett is also a firm high street favourite of the duchess, and the choice continued her trend of championing British brands over the past 18 months.
The royal has also been wearing a host of pink outfits in recent months, with experts saying she was wearing the pretty ensembles after Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s bombshell Oprah interview to appear ‘lovable and convey kindness’.
Kate sported a blush pussybow blouse during an appearance hours after her sister-in-law claimed the two women had a tearful confrontation days before the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s 2018 wedding.
Meanwhile she also donned a £65 pink jumper from Boden for her first in-person engagement of the year this spring.
Kate’s fuschia pink dress, which is currently sold out online, is described as perfect for a ‘first date’
She also wore a pink ME+EM’s silk shirt dress during her recent tour of Scotland with the Duke of Cambridge.
The duchess’ recent penchant for the colour suggests wanting to ‘reduce feelings of anger and resentment’ as well as ‘conveying kindness and understanding in a non-threatening way’, according to Lancashire-based psychologist Lee Chambers.
