PICTURES: Kate Middleton jokes with President Tony Tan
Singapore President Tony Tan Keng Yam and his wife Mrs Mary Tan have arrived in the UK.
The president and his wife, who are on a four-day state visit, met up with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at the Royal Garden Hotel in London on Tuesday morning.
Dr Tan is the first Singaporean president to make a state visit to Britain.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge sit and have a drink with Singapore's president Tony Tan and his wife Mary Tan. PHOTO: AFP
It is Kate Middleton's first public appearance since she announced her pregnancy in September.
Middleton, who is 12 weeks into her second pregnancy, was subjected to bed rest due to her severe morning sickness and had to cancel a series of activities. She is due to give birth in April next year.
But she was all smiles on her first day back in the public eye. She even made the Singapore president laugh when she joked "It's a bit colder than our last meeting", to which he replied "The weather is lovely," Mirror Online reported.
The Duchess was referring to the last time the two met in Singapore in 2012.
Mrs Tan told Middleton that she was glad she could make it for the engagement, to which Middleton replied: "So am I. I've been looking forward to getting out of the house, that's for sure."
President Tony Tan's wife, Mary Tan, and the Duchess of Cambridge pose for a photo. PHOTO: AFP
The president commented on the beautiful view of Kensington Palace from the hotel.
William said: "You can probably see into our bedroom window which is a bit worrying - I wouldn't look too closely."
Dr Tan and his wife, together with the royal couple, then went in a car procession to the Horse Guards Parade ground, where they were received by the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh, The Straits Times reported.
The President of Singapore Tony Tan inspects a Guard of Honour by Grenadier Guards, at Horse Guards Parade in London. PHOTO: Reuters
Britain's Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh (CR) accompanies Singapore's President Tony Tan Keng Yam (CL) to review an honour guard during the ceremonial welcome ceremony for the Singaporean president at the start of a state visit at Horse Guards Parade. PHOTO: AFP
Britain's Queen Elizabeth II talks with Mary Tan, wife of Singapore's President Tony Tan Keng Yam, as British Prime Minister David Cameron and Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond stand by during the ceremonial welcome ceremony for the Singaporean president at the start of a state visit. PHOTO: AFP
An 103-gun royal salute was fired from Green Park, the royal park nearest to the Horse Guards Parade, and from the Tower of London, a royal palace and fortress, as part of the ceremonial welcome.
Sources: Mirror Online, AFP, Straits Times.
Related reports:
Baby No. 2 on the way for Prince William and Kate Middleton
Kate Middleton's due date revealed!
Kate to welcome President Tony Tan to Britain later this month
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