Watch out, it's Kate the rocket launcher! Duchess joins Queen and William for sports day fun

It must have been one of the most regal sports days ever.
Watching children compete in a variety of activities was not only the Queen, but also the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.
And William and Kate simply couldn’t resist joining in the fun.

Taking aim: A smiling Kate tests her skills with a rocket-shaped foam javelin while watching children's sports in Nottingham's Vernon Park

Both had a go at throwing a rocket-shaped foam javelin – with the competitive prince sending it at least five feet further than his wife. Kate also joined a group of Scouts, Cubs and Beavers to take part in games including using a parachute to pass a ball around, and hammering in pegs in a race to put up a tent.
William and Kate were in Nottingham on a royal ‘away day’ with the Queen as part of her Diamond Jubilee celebrations. Watching the sporting activities in the city’s Vernon Park, Kate and the Queen chatted animatedly – the duchess showing her increasing confidence in royal circles by initiating many of the conversations and pointing out things of interest to the monarch.

Looking regal: The Queen was in good spirits as she arrived at Nottingham Train Station, where she was met by local children, and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge

Queen of Comedy: Her Majesty kept Kate and her cohorts amused as they watched the children's sports

Joining in the fun: The Royal couple examine the javelin - and competitive Wills can't resist lobbing it five feet further than Kate

She even copied many of the Queen’s mannerisms: Her ram-rod straight pose and hand-clasp showing that even subconsciously she is learning from the master.
The sports day event was arranged by the Fields In Trust project, of which the Queen is patron and Prince Philip president. William is patron of the Queen Elizabeth II Fields Challenge, which hopes to create 2,012 playing fields throughout Britain by the end of the year.

 

Earlier, in Nottingham’s heaving Market Square –  the crowd was estimated at 35,000 – Kate had been deeply moved to meet Isabelle Weall, who less than two years ago was given a 1 per cent chance of survival after being struck down with meningitis.
Yesterday the eight-year-old from Derby, who lost both her arms and legs because of meningococcal septicaemia, bounced confidently on her artificial blade legs as she presented the duchess with a posy. Isabelle said: ‘It was amazing – she was so lovely and really chatty. I had not expected her to be as chatty in real life.’

Moved: Kate receives a posy from eight-year-old Isabelle Weall, left, who lost both her arms and legs to meningitis

Not you! One boy in royal fancy dress looks like he's not so keen to meet William, but Kate fares better

Nice outfit! The Duchess chats to the youngster, resplendent in a crown and gold-braided uniform

The royal party was then given an enthusiastic welcome by a crowd of more than 10,000 as they waved from the balcony of the city’s Council House.
At a reception inside they met couples celebrating their diamond wedding anniversary. ‘We’ve still got a long way to go,’ William told Kaylet Smedley, 80, and her husband Ronald, 86. ‘Are you still speaking to each other?’

Balcony scene: The Queen, Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge greeted the Nottingham crowds from the Council House balcony

For her day trip, Kate chose a navy blue silk hat by one of the Queen’s favourite milliners, Rachel Trevor-Morgan, and a blue and silver tweed coat dress by Italian designer Missoni, which sources said she picked up for ‘next to nothing’ at the Bicester Village designer shopping outlet more than a year ago.
If it looked familiar then that’s because it was ‘recycled’ – she first wore it on a visit with the Queen to Fortnum and Mason on March 1.

Recycling: Kate in her Missoni coat at Fortnum's in March (left) and in Nottingham yesterday (right)