Kate Middleton delights fans with ‘surprise’ engagement at Windsor Castle after receiving important role

Kate Middleton has delighted and “surprised” fans with a solo engagement at Windsor Castle after receiving an important new role last year. 

• The Princess of Wales undertook a solo engagement in Windsor on September 29 and has been flooded with praise from royal fans. 
• Kate Middleton met with Royal Navy sailors from the HMS Glasgow a little over a year after she received an important new title.  
• This royal news comes as King Charles III made a major change to the Royal Family Instagram account as Mourning period for Queen Elizabeth ended. 

On September 29th, Kate Middleton undertook her first solo public engagement since becoming the new Princess of Wales. Taking place at the late Queen’s beloved Berkshire residence, Windsor Castle, the Princess looked as elegant as ever in a smart navy suit and crisp white blouse that perfectly complemented the uniforms of her esteemed guests. Kate met with Royal Navy sailors from the HMS Glasgow which is currently being constructed and discussed their lives in the navy and how the building of this anti-submarine warship is going.

Sharing a series of snaps, the Prince and Princess of Wales’ Instagram account declared in a caption, “A pleasure to meet some of the @royalnavy Ship’s Company of HMS Glasgow, learning more about their roles and what’s next on the route to getting her in the water.”

HMS Glasgow is being constructed at Govan, as are HMS Belfast and HMS Cardiff and according to the BBC, they will be based at Devonport Naval Base in Plymouth. In the photos taken during this engagement, Kate can be seen listening carefully and enjoying her talks with the sailors, before they all had an official picture taken.

And it seems not everyone had been anticipating seeing the Princess of Wales out and about in Windsor as some fans were quick to express a little “surprise” as well as joy at seeing the new post and pictures.

“Ah a surprise engagement!! Love this 😍😍😍❤️❤️❤️❤️”, one person wrote excitedly.

Whilst another seemed to also be a bit surprised as they reflected upon how the Prince and Princess of Wales are throwing themselves into their new roles, writing, “They are hitting the ground running! ❤️” 

“She's glowing! Wish The Princess lots of wisdom and strength in her new position❤️”, a third fan exclaimed.

But her title of Princess of Wales wasn’t the only important new role Kate has received that made this engagement so meaningful! Last summer she was made sponsor of the HMS Glasgow by Queen Elizabeth. Reflecting upon the significance of the crew getting to meet Kate, the ship's executive warrant officer, Darran Sullivan, told the BBC that it “signals” something very important.  

He said, “It was a huge honor to be invited to Windsor Castle and to meet Her Royal Highness The Princess of Wales. The appointment of sponsor signals an enduring connection between the ship's crew and Her Royal Highness. It is clear from meeting her that she has a real interest in HMS Glasgow and in the lives of those who will serve onboard."

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This solo engagement came a few weeks after Kate and Prince William became Princess and Prince of Wales. In his first address to the nation on September 9, King Charles paid tribute to his “darling mama” Queen Elizabeth after her death at Balmoral and confirmed that his eldest son and daughter-in-law would take on new titles.  

“With Catherine beside him, our new Prince and Princess of Wales will, I know, continue to inspire and lead our national conversations, helping to bring the marginal to the center ground where vital help can be given," he declared.