Kate Middleton enjoys summer holiday with the Queen in elegant grey and black coat dress

Kate Middleton, 36, made one of her rare maternity leave appearances yesterday when she was spotted in Scotland with the Queen and Prince William. 

The Duchess of Cambridge, along with the Cambridge family, are currently enjoying the summer in Balmoral with the rest of the Royal Family.

Leaving George, Charlotte and Louis behind, Kate and William attended a church service with the Queen and other high-ranking royals.

Having just returned from the sunny, Caribbean island of Mustique, Kate donned her winter wares as she faced the cold, Scottish breeze in Balmoral.

Arriving for the service in the Scottish town, Kate looked glowing in the stylish, buttoned-up coat dress.

The dress was long sleeved and featured large, oversized button detailing and a Peter Pan-style collar.

Perhaps for fitting for winter than summer, the coat was in a grey and black checkered design, with black trimming around the collar and sleeves.

A great advocate for British-based designers, the stunning coat was a bespoke design by Catherine Walker. 

Matching the coat flawlessly, Kate wore a black fascinator-style headpiece on her head, set at a jaunty angle.

Her makeup was simple yet glowing, with just a flick of mascara, a light brown smokey eye and shimmery, pink cheeks.

No doubt coming from her famous jewellery collection, the Duchess accessorised the outfit with a sparkling pair of silver drop-down earrings.

Despite being summer, as she arrived by the side of the Queen, who looked summery and stylish in a rich blue coat and hat, Kate covered her knees with a blanket.

Other royals in attendance for the service in Crathie Kirk were Prince Charles, Princess Anne, Prince Edward and Sophie, Countess of Wessex. 

The Cambridges’ three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis were believed to still be on the Balmoral estate. 

Following his fifth birthday last month, Prince George was taken out to watch his first grouse hunt yesterday at the Aberdeenshire estate. 

George watched and learned as his father, Prince William, hunted the birds on the hills above Loch Muick.

The Royal Family are known to spend the summer in Balmoral, with rumours that the Meghan Markle and Prince Harry will be joining the rest of the royals. 

Meghan and Harry have had a busy summer, having gone on two secret getaways – one to Lake Como and one to the Scottish Highlands. 

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex enjoyed a lavish three-day trip to George Clooney’s stunning Lake Como villa, and also holidayed with Prince Charles and Camilla at The Castle of Mey. 

How did Kate Middleton become a royal?

Early life

Kate Middleton, or Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, was born on 9 January 1982 at the Royal Berkshire Hospital, Reading, England.

She was born to Michael and Carole Middleton, a former flight dispatcher and air hostess. The couple founded a party supplies company, Party Pieces, in 1987 – now estimated to be worth £30 million.

Kate has a younger sister Pippa Matthews, 34, and a younger brother James Middleton, 31.

Education

Kate and her family moved to Amman, Jordan, in 1984, where the future Duchess was educated at an English-speaking nursery school.

After moving back to Berkshire the family sent Kate to private school, St Andrews School. She went on to briefly study at Downe House before moving onto Marlborough College where she boarded.

For university the young Kate attended the University of St Andrews in Fife, Scotland. Here she was awarded an undergraduate MA (2:1 Hons) in history of art.

Relationship with Prince William

Kate met Prince William when they were both studying at St Andrews, and both living in St Salvator’s Hall. Famously, William reportedly took a fancy to Kate after she wore a see-through dress during a fashion show.

In 2003 the couple began dating and lived together during their second year of university.

The couple split in April 2007, however, in October they were back together.

Wedding

Prince William proposed to Kate Middleton with his late mother Princess Diana’s engagement ring in October 2010. The couple were holidaying in Kenya at the time.

On 29 April 2011 they married at Westminster Abbey with a whopping 26 million watching the event live.

Kate wore an Alexander McQueen dress worth a reported £250,000 on the big day.

Kate assumed the title “Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge” and also become the Duchess of Cambridge on the day.