[h=1]Her Royal Highness: Kate steps out in pale blue Alexander McQueen coat as she joins Carol Vorderman to mark the 75th anniversary of the RAF Air Cadets[/h]
The Duchess is attending a service at RAF church St Clement Danes, London, followed by a reception
Kate was appointed as Honorary Air Commandant in December taking over from the Duke of Edinburgh
The Duchess wore a pale blue custom-made Alexander McQueen coat and Air Cadets Dacre brooch
By MARTHA CLIFF FOR MAILONLINE PUBLISHED: 11:25, 7 February 2016 | UPDATED: 15:56, 7 February 2016
She may have been keeping a relatively low profile of late but the Duchess of Cambridge made a colourful return today as she attended her first official engagement of the year.
The royal, 34, was elegant in a blue custom-made Alexander McQueen coat as she joined the Air Cadets to mark their 75th anniversary, as Honorary Air Commandant of the organisation.
Her perfectly coiffed locks were offset by a black Lock and Co hat and she wore an Air Cadets Dacre brooch, known to be the highest award any female cadet can achieve.
Royal welcome: The Duchess of Cambridge, Honorary Air Commandant, joined members of the RAF Air Cadets to mark their 75th anniversary for her first official engagement of the year
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Dressed to impress: The Duchess managed to give off a military air in her custom-made Alexander McQueen coat - an outfit she first sported in New Zealand
The thrifty Duchess is well known for recycling outfits and today was no exception, having first been pictured in the coat in 2014 during a visit to New Zealand where she lay a wreath in the town of Blenheim in memory of the war dead. Today was a lighter occasion as hundreds of well-wishers lined London's Strand as she greeted members of the Air Cadets, marking her first engagement for them since her appointment last year.
The Duke of Edinburgh passed his patronage of the RAF Air Cadets on to the Duchess in December 2015, after 63 years serving as Air Commodore-in-Chief. Kate is attending a service at RAF church St Clement Danes, London, and then will proceed to a reception held nearby at the Royal Courts of Justice, giving Cadets the opportunity to introduce their new patron. There the Duchess will also learn more about their numerous programmes and activities by meeting a selection of current cadets, veterans and adult volunteers.
Marking the occasion: Kate is attending a service at RAF church St Clement Danes, London, and then will proceed to a reception held nearby at the Royal Courts of Justice, giving Cadets the opportunity to introduce their new Patron
Carol Vorderman, an honorary ambassador for the Air Cadets, tweeted her support for the royal. She said: 'All of us in @aircadets are delighted today to be welcoming our Honorary Air Commandant, the Duchess of Cambridge.' Carol, whose two children both attended the Air Cadets, was dressed in her full uniform and tweeted that she was 'feeling emotional' early this morning. Her emotions seemed to show as she was pictured wiping away a tear during today's festivities. Mathematician Carol, believes that Kate will be a big help in attracting women in to what is often seen as a male-dominated sector. She said: 'I think it is fantastic. Obviously Kate is possibly the most famous woman internationally - I would imagine.
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Guest of honour: Her perfectly coiffed locks were offset by a black Lock and Co hat and she appeared in high spirits as she wore an Air Cadets Dacre brooch, known to be the highest award any female cadet can achieve
[h=3]KATE'S AIR CADETS DACRE BROOCH: THE HIGHEST OF HONOURS[/h]
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It was hard to miss Kate's spectacular brooch that could be seen below the collar of her Alexander McQueen coat that she wore during the 75th anniversary of the Air Cadets today.
However, some may be surprised to see it on the Duchess as The Dacre Brooch is usually only bestowed to those who are Air Cadets themselves and is said to be the highest honour that a female cadet can achieve.
The tradition of the brooch originated in 1979 when Mrs Elizabeth Dacre MBE TD JP presented to the Air Training Corps the dress sword of her late husband, Air Commodore G B Dacre CBE DSO DL RAF to be awarded to the 'ATC Cadet of the Year.'
As girls began to join the cadets in 1982, Mrs Dacre presented the Corps with a diamond brooch mounted on a sash, for presentation to the best female cadet.
From then on each year one male member of the cadets would be awarded with the sword and a female with the sash and brooch with the selection based on their all-round performance throughout the year.
However, the Duchess, having not been a member of the Cadets earned her brooch through other means. A spokesperson from Buckingham Palace says that the cadets presented the brooch to the Duchess as a gift following her appointment as Honorary Air Commandant of the organisation.
Source: Royal Air Force Air Cadets
All eyes on Kate: The Duchess drew in everyone's attention in her elegant blue outfit
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Look familiar: The thrifty Duchess is well known for recycling outfits and today was no exception, having first been pictured in the coat in 2014 during a visit to New Zealand where she lay a wreath in the town of Blenheim in memory of the war dead
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Ouch! The Duchess was pictured wearing a plaster alongside her famous sapphire and diamond engagement ring
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All OK? The Duchess pulls an unusual expression as she chats with members of the RAF Air Cadets
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Peekaboo! The Duchess leans out of her car showcasing her enviable make up and hair to onlookers
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One has arrived: Well wishers had lined the street of the strand from early on Sunday morning hoping to get a glance of the Duchess
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Hard working: Kate now represents an organisation of 42,000 air cadets aged 12-19 and 15,000 adult volunteers at more than 1,200 units across the UK and abroad
Exciting future: The Duchess's visit will be the first in a series of RAF Air Cadets events planned throughout the year to celebrate the organisation's important work and history
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Marching orders: The Duchess was greeted by flag bearers as she made her way into the church for the service
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Feeling nervous: Some of the young cadets looked a little worried as they anticipated the Duchess's arrival
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Princess charming: Kate was all smiles at today's event as she wore her RAF brooch proudly
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Hats off to you: As well as her coat thrifty Kate recycled her hat and was seen wearing it a year ago during a service in Bath
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What a hoot: The Duchess seemed to be unable to contain her laughter as she was greeted by Air Commodore Dawn McCafferty
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Pleased to meet you: The Duchess shakes the hand of a young member of the Air Cadets at today's event
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Friendly face: The Duchess smiles as she meets another young member of the RAF Air Cadets
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Welcome! The Duchess is met by a huge crowd of Air Cadets at this afternoon's reception at the Royal Courts of Justice
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Get in line: Members of the RAF Air Cadets struggled to get a good view of the Duchess as she entered the building
Delightful Duchess: The elegant belted coat showed off her slim waist and she looked radiant as she smiled to well-wishers
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Kate's Air Cadets Dacre brooch could be seen - known to be the highest award any female cadet can achieve
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Getting to know you: Today Kate, pictured speaking with current cadets, will also learn more about the organisation's numerous programmes and activities as she is introduced as the new patron
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Standing proud: Cadets line up in order to greet their new patron the Duchess of Cambridge
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Good to see you: The Duchess waved enthusiastically to her fans who had braved the winds to come and greet her
