She already wears Princess Diana’s sapphire and diamond engagement ring. Now the Duchess of Cambridge has another heirloom from her husband’s late mother.
Prince William has given her a pair of Diana’s favourite earrings, also in matching sapphire and diamonds.
Kate, 29, has given them her own style twist, having the studs remodelled into drop earrings.
Favourite: Kate wore the remodelled earrings on tour in Canada and Diana was regularly spotted wearing the jewellery
A courtier is quoted as saying: ‘Now they’re married, William wanted her to have some of his mother’s favourite pieces.’
William said he proposed to Kate with Diana’s 19-carat engagement ring so his mother could be part of the occasion.
The Duchess of Cambridge wore them for the first time when she watched Andy Murray from the Royal Box at Wimbledon last month and also wore them during the couple's official visit to Canada and America.
The earrings were thought to be among Diana's most precious jewels and she was spotted wearing them at dozens of events during the 1980s and 1990s.
Comparisons: From the Duchess' wedding day commentators were already comparing the couple to Princess Diana and Prince Charles
It is not the first time the Duchess' style has been compared with the late Princess Diana's.
Kate wore a similar outfit to that of Princess Diana when she visited Canada by donning a maple leaf hat.
Both sported red hats with white dresses during their official visits but Princess Diana made a slightly bolder statement by wearing a matching red scarf.
Crowds across the globe were eager to make comparisons as Diana and Charles made a similar tour in 1983.
The People's Princess: Diana devoted her time to charity work..
And Kate was seen to be equally interested in speaking to people on the official Canada tour, doing impromptu walkabouts
Princess Diana was the main attraction with thousands of people waved flags and shouted the slogan 'We Want Di'.
And Prince William's new wife was also a real crowd pleaser and her wardrobe had been one of the main topics of discussion.
The couple are currently deciding on a permanent London base, and are tipped to take Apartment 1a in Kensington Palace, a lavish 19-room suite that was once the home of the late Princess Margaret.
It was reported the couple also considered Apartments 8 and 9, the former marital home of Charles and Diana where William grew up, but Kate is said to have been uncomfortable with the idea.
'They have been to look around Margaret's apartment and like it very much,' said a source.
Amid the pomp and splendour of a truly unforgettable day, The Dress was undoubtedly the star of the show.
And just like the most gracious stars, the Duchess of Cambridge’s stunning wedding gown is returning for an encore.
Those of us who admired it from the comfort of our sofas at home, can now see the £250,000 Alexander McQueen dress right up close – if we can get our hands on what is rapidly becoming the hottest ticket in town.
Fit for a Duchess: Kate Middleton's stunning wedding gown is going on display at the weekend, alongside other items from the big day
Beauty in the detail: 58 gazar buttons run from the collar to the waist on the gown, while Kate's veil is made of soft ivory silk tulle and stitched with flowers
The dress is to take pride of place at Buckingham Palace’s annual summer exhibition this year, ensuring we can bask in the afterglow of Kate and William’s wedding day just that little bit longer.
While most brides carefully wrap their bridal gowns in tissue paper and store them away with their memories, Kate’s will be shared with the nation all over again.
In fact visitors can relive every joyful moment of the day, with everything from the Duchess’s veil to her shoes and even the royal wedding cake on display.
Record demand means advance ticket sales are more than double on last year’s summer opening, with 600,000 people paying £17.50 per ticket to troop through the doors over the next ten weeks.
That would comfortably beat the palace’s previous highest attendance of 420,000 in 1994.
Here, the Daily Mail, which was offered an exclusive tour yesterday, can reveal the treasures in store for the first visitors this Saturday.
Something borrowed: This 1936 Cartier tiara was loaned to Kate by the Queen and contains 1,000 glittering diamonds
Icing on the cake: The top three layers of the cake are replicas, with two saved for the couple's first child's Christening, as tradition dictates
The first cut: The mark made by the couple using a ceremonial sword is clearly visible on the bottom tier of the cake
The Duchess herself was treated to a sneak preview on Wednesday night when she stole another look at the dress that featured an intricate Grace Kelly-inspired lace bodice hand-stitched by the world’s best seamstresses at the Royal School of Needlework.
The craftswomen had no idea what their commission was for, such was the secrecy surrounding the design.
The bodice was cinched into a tiny waist above the full silk skirt.
The exhibition’s curator Caroline de Guitaut would not be drawn on what size it was, saying only: ‘Small.’
Then there are the shoes, barely noticed in the excitement of the day, which are worth a look in their full glory.
Twinkle toes: The duchess's hand-stitched shoes were designed by Sarah Burton of Alexander McQueen and are size five-and-a-half
Bouquet of memories: A silk replica of Kate's flowers include sweet william, myrtle, lily of the valley and hyacinth
If you stoop beside the glass case, the tiny letters that reveal Kate’s shoe size, five and a half, are just visible. At a willowy 5’10”, she certainly has a dainty pair of feet.
Also created by the McQueen creative director Sarah Burton and her team, the shoes feature yet more impressive lace detailing hand-stitched over ivory duchess satin.
They appear to have been barely worn as, apart from stepping outside the Goring Hotel into her waiting car as a single woman, Kate spent most of the day walking on carpet.
Then there are the diamond earrings given to the bride by her parents, bearing a diamond acorn to show the Middleton family’s new coat of arms.
Little acorns: The Duchess's diamond earrings were a present from her parents for the wedding, and bear acorns as a nod to her family's new coat of arms
And in the Ballroom, where the couple’s reception was held, visitors can see the 1936 Cartier tiara, glittering with 1,000 diamonds, that the Queen lent to Kate as her ‘something borrowed’ item.
The Duchess will join Her Majesty to formally open the exhibition this afternoon.
It also includes a short video, featuring Sarah Burton talking about her inspiration for the dress and Kate’s ‘hands-on’ involvement in the design process.
She explains that the Duchess had hands on involvement and wanted to create a gown with "presence and of historical importance" but one that had a contemporary feel.
‘We wanted to look to the past, yet look to the future as well,’ she says.
Showstopper: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, wearing the dress in all its glory, emerge from Westminster Abbey on their wedding day
Spectacular: Pippa Middleton carries the train of her sister's gown, which was designed by Sarah Burton at Alexander McQueen and described as being sized 'small' by the exhibition's curator
Finally to the State Dining Room, where visitors can see some of the eight-tiered wedding cake designed by Fiona Cairns.
Sadly, the top three levels on display are not the originals.
The uppermost two were kept by the newlyweds, in line with tradition which says you should keep them to serve at your first child’s christening, while the third was served to guests.
However, look closely among the sugary flowers on the bottom tier and you can see the mark left by the ceremonial sword the couple used to cut it – an unbroken link to a magical day.
The Royal Wedding Dress: A Story of Great British Design runs until October 3 at Buckingham Palace. Tickets are priced at £17.50 and can be obtained from www.royalcollection.org.uk or 0207 766 7300.
Ever sinceKate Middleton married Prince William in April, the world has become obsessed with her. Obviously, a lot of our interest and attraction comes from the fact that, eventually, she's going to be the Queen of England; but a good portion of it stems from Kate's subtle -- yet dramatic -- appearance transformation.
Before Kate became Duchess Catherine, she was a pretty girl. She was the type of woman one could pass in the hall or have a conversation with and simply think, "She's cute." But now. Now that she's royalty, she looks the part. Having a conversation with her seems laughable because, if ever given the chance, the only thing I would be able to do is marvel at her beauty. So, what changed? It's hard to pinpoint, right? I analyzed photos of the Duchess from over the years and am fairly confident I've cracked the code. (Hint: It's not just her weight loss.) Let's start with a old photo of Kate as a jumping-off point -- a really old photo. This picture is from 2005. If any of us looked at a photo of ourselves from six years ago, I'm sure a lot would be different. Let's focus on Kate's style, though. (Clearly, she has lost a ton of weight.) Here, her hair is shorter and lighter. She also doesn't have (much of) her signature kohl-rimmed eyes. She also seems to have a bit of a sunburn and her teeth don't seem quite as pearly white as they currently are.
Not sure when this photo is from exactly, but it's obviously more recent than the one above. Pretty girl? Yes. Pretty princess? Eh, not so sure. Here, Kate's tresses are longer than they are in the other picture -- and longer than they are now. They're also darker than they were in the previous photo, but lighter than they are now. She basically has "college girl" hair here. It's nice. It's highlighted. It's very choppy and layered. She also seems less tan than she did before, but, again, more than she is now. Her eyebrows are also a bit bushier and more unkempt than they currently are. Now we're talking. This photo is supposedly from last year. Crazy, right? She looks more grown-up and a little more fancy than she did in the other photos, but still, not "oh my God, I can't talk to you" pretty. Her hair is still highlighted with long, piecey layers. And she doesn't yet have her signature "Middleton" 'do. And this is where the change really started to take shape. Her hair is darker, shorter, much more polished and shiny, and it's parted to the opposite side with small, swooping bangs. This is also obviously when Kate started to lose weight. Note her paler skin and more defined eyes, as well. Here is where her weight loss really drastically changes her look. In addition to the lack of "baby fat" in her face, her porcelain skin, dark hair, and perfectly groomed eyebrows make her literally look like Snow White. Her hair is a little longer, she's got her signature curl on the bottom thing going on, and as usual, her eyes and brows are perfectly defined. Also, note the simplicity of Kate's clothing (very good for taking pictures). And, I could be totally wrong here, but her forehead looks completely and totally smooth. Botox? Maybe? Just a little?
Bottom line, whatever she's doing is working. No longer does Kate look like a "cute girl" or a "college girl." She looks like a perfectly-coiffed, stunning woman, who was born to be a princess. Tell us your secrets, Kate!
Kate Middleton and Prince William visit the Mission Serve: Hiring Our Heroes event in Culver City, California
Freshly home from their North American jaunt, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have now retreated home to North Wales.
They want a quieter life and are keen to avoid upsetting Gran (whose Diamond Jubilee is next year). Wills will fly his helicopters and Kate will, er, “spend her time in the detailed task of planning which good causes she wants to become involved with”.
She is retiring to old-fashioned wifedom, it seems. No doubt Kate will perform her duties with her natural grace, but you wonder whether she might like to get a job like the rest of us.
It should have been the glittering highlight of their seven-year union.
Multi-millionaire superstars Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony were due to be guests of honour at the top table with Prince William and Kate at last weekend’s glittering Bafta gala in Hollywood.
Instead, J-Lo sashayed down the red carpet in a provocatively clinging green Pucci gown accompanied by her mother, Guadalupe, a former kindergarten teacher from the Bronx. She was also missing her wedding ring.
Mum's the word: Jennifer Lopez and her mother Lupe meet Prince William and his wife Catherine at the Bafta gala in Hollywood
Royal aides, along with the singer-actress’s millions of fans, were mystified.
But on Friday night in a statement issued through J-Lo’s publicist, the couple, worth an estimated £240 million, announced they are to divorce.
They called the decision ‘painful’ and ‘difficult’. But The Mail on Sunday has spoken to several of the couple’s closest confidantes and can reveal they began to drift apart three years after their marriage in June 2004.
‘This is not a surprise,’ J-Lo’s stylist Phillip Bloch said in an exclusive interview last night.
‘Marc is very controlling. In the beginning she liked that because he stood up to her, and in the early days he was very much in love with her and she was with him.’
Couple: Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony seem close as they attend a Hollywood function
But the couple are said to have begun to squabble soon after 41-year-old J-Lo’s mother moved into their Long Island, New York mansion in 2008 to help look after their newborn twins.
‘They also clashed when she learned he owed millions in unpaid taxes on the Long Island estate,’ said film-maker Ed Meyer, an associate of J-Lo’s first husband, Cuban-born club-owner Ojani Noa.
‘The other problem was that they couldn’t agree where to live.
'J-Lo’s career is in Hollywood and she wanted to live in their Malibu mansion and Marc loved New York. She was going to move to New York in a last-ditch effort to save the marriage. But last Monday I heard it was all over.’
In November 2002 – after a second failed marriage, to backing dancer Cris Judd – Jennifer became engaged to actor Ben Affleck, declaring he was ‘the one’.
But The Mail on Sunday has learned that years before, another man, top Latin American recording artist Marc Anthony, had become infatuated with her.
J-Lo broke up with Affleck in January 2004.
That June Marc, now 42, finalised his divorce from former Miss Universe Dayanara Torres.
Marriages Jennifer with previous husbands Ojani Noa, left and Chris Judd, right
Four days later they married at Jennifer’s home in Beverly Hills.
They presented themselves as a fairytale couple.
But soon after the birth of the twins, the couple are said to have begun to argue.
Bond: Jennifer Lopez with her mother, Lupe, during a live appearance for the debut of her new fragrance Love and Light this month
‘J-Lo’s mother wanted to run her life and Marc wanted to run her life and I don’t think J-Lo wanted anyone to control her,’ said Meyer.
Friends say J-Lo made one last attempt to save the marriage with her offer to move back to New York.
‘She fought to make it work for the sake of the children,’ said Phillip Bloch. ‘She desperately did not want a third divorce.’
Film royalty: Jennifer Lopez shares a kiss with her then fiance actor Ben Affleck at the Academy Awards in 2003
Prince Charles has told of his worries that Prince William and Kate Middleton’s show-stopping tour of North America turned into one long photo-opportunity.
Charles fears the couple’s glamorous image will now overshadow the worthy work of other senior royals.
He told Palace aides that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s trip focused too much on media coverage and not on the serious reasons behind the tour.
The 11-day jaunt, when hundreds of thousands turned out to greet the royals in Canada and the US, became billed as the William and Kate Show.
The newlyweds were splashed across every TV network and newspaper as they met the public and a string of celebs such as David Beckham, Nicole Kidman, Tom Hanks and Jennifer Lopez.
Sources close to Charles, 62, say that on the one hand he is delighted the couple received the same welcome he and Princess Diana got on their 1983 Canada tour.
But he also drew a comparison with his gruelling 11-day visit to Canada with Camilla two years ago which attracted small crowds and modest coverage.
A royal insider says Charles – who prides himself on being a campaigner on the environment and architecture – is now seeking a makeover to attract more fans.
Royal author Phil Dampier said: “Charles felt overshadowed by Diana and now it seems he feels overshadowed by their son. Some people may think he is jealous. I have always felt that as soon as William got married, Charles would feel sidelined.
“From that moment people would be less interested in what he has to say on issues such as the environment and architecture if, on the same day, Kate is wearing a new dress.”
Kate dominated the headlines with up to five outfit changes a day, including casual jeans and a stetson at a rodeo in Calgary.
Mr Dampier added: “When Charles and Camilla visited Canada two years ago they were greeted by relatively small crowds. They are in their 60s and are not what you would call glamorous.
“Charles is well respected in Canada but he does not have the X factor. With the Queen’s headline-grabbing Irish tour too, Charles feels his work could get overlooked.”
Government insiders say Charles’ fears have been echoed in Downing Street, which believes the interest in the couple could overshadow other royal events such as next year’s Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.
But since returning last week to their home in Anglesey, where the prince is an RAF search and rescue pilot, William and Kate say they intend to maintain a low profile.
The royal couple were certainly seen on their first visit here, the pictures of their outfits incessantly analyzed as their images played on a constant loop on television. Prince William was occasionally even heard.
"As this is my last opportunity before we leave this afternoon, I would just say, on behalf of us both, how grateful we are to be welcomed so warmly in the Golden State and City of Angels," Prince William told a screaming crowd that gathered on Sunday at Sony Studios for a job fair for veterans.
Still, this was hardly a trip for hordes of commoners -- only a few caught even a glimpse of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in the flesh.
At the couple's arrival here on Friday, Gov. Jerry Brown and his wife, Anne Gust, presented them with a red, white and blue bouquet and an iPad2 loaded with Golden State images and songs, including I Left My Heart in San Francisco and Tom Petty's California.
A few minutes and thousands of photographs later, they were whisked away in a black Range Rover. By the time they arrived at the Beverly Hilton for an event focusing on technology in the United Kingdom, the lobby crowd had grown to a couple of hundred. But they missed any chance to properly stare at the guests of honor, who were escorted in through a different entrance.
Security throughout the weekend was carefully choreographed -- with street and sidewalk closings blocking the perimeter for each event. Even the public restrooms at the Beverly Hills appearance were cleared a half-hour before the couple arrived. On Saturday morning, the pair took in sweeping views of Southern California as they traveled by helicopter north to Carpinteria for a charity polo match.
Fans paid $400 for a chance to watch Prince William play polo -- $4,000 to join the couple for lunch.
Erica Stanislawski, 16, who said her father was a longtime member of the Santa Barbara Polo and Racquet Club, said that her interest was strictly about polo. "Polo is a great game," she began.
Her friend Lauren Lantry, 16, interrupted. "I'm excited to see famous people!" she said. "The prince is really cute. And she's the real deal and super-pretty."
The crowd dressed for the occasion: men in Nantucket red pants and seersucker and women in elaborate hats.
The Duchess of Cambridge was more understated in a floral print sundress, no hat and a pair of light brown heels.
The prince drew cheers every time he got near the ball, but squandered several early chances to score. But he scored four of his winning team's last five goals.
Onlookers rushed onto the field in excitement, but they eventually obeyed calls to return to the stands. And they screamed as the prince kissed his wife on both cheeks after the match.
The royal couple mingled with celebrities at an event for the British Academy of Film and Television Arts on Saturday night. Sunday was reserved for less fancy events, starting with a visit to a Skid Row arts center for children.
Their last stop before heading home was the job fair in Culver City, where Prince William delivered a two-minute speech, his most extensive public remarks of the visit.
"Catherine and I both have friends back in Britain who could benefit from a brilliant initiative like this," he said to the crowd of veterans, who held up hundreds of cellphones to snap pictures.
The couple spent a few minutes speaking to the Fraijos, a three-generation military family.
"They weren't what I'd expect from television, just so warm and cordial," said Steve Fraijo, who served in the Marines for more than 20 years.
When his mother, Sandra Ann Fraijo, mentioned she was from Kirkcaldy, in Scotland, Prince William responded eagerly: "They have the best fish and chips there!" And when her 13-year-old granddaughter showed off her British accent, she said the Duchess told her, "You do that even better than me!"
For her second outfit on Friday night in Los Angeles alongside Prince William, her Royal Highness, 29, opted for an American designer to attend a reception at the consular general's residence.
In a number that's sure to sell out quickly, Kate showed off her slim physique in a "Maja" green silk dress by Diane Von Furstenberg. She pared the vibrant frock with a leopard purse by DVF as well.
It was a radical costume change for the British beauty's first night in the U.S., who touched down in the Sunshine State and attended a tech conference in Beverly Hills in a super-pale lavender Peridot dress by Roksanda Illinic.
Wet, grey and miserable…it wasn't quite the right day for a trip to the seaside.
But that failed to stop the Duke and Duchess plough on with the latest leg of their tour of Canada - turning their hand from everything from Dragon Boat Racing to a soaking game of beach volleyball.
The couple were on Prince Edward Island, the setting for one of Kate's favourite childhood books, Anne of Green Gables Set in the 1870s, the novel recounts the life and times of a feisty red-headed schoolgirl, Anne Shirley, who is adopted by brother and sister farmers in the mistaken belief they are taking in a young boy.
Scroll down to see video of the visit
Competitive streak: Kate and William hug before taking part in a dragon boat race on opposing teams
Prince William prepares to take part in the dragon race as the couple gets ready to show their competitive streak
Reminiscent of scenes in 2007 when she trained to take part in a cross-channel race, left, Kate took to the water against William's team
Competitive: Kate tries her best to catch up with William whose boat leads by several metres
The Duke of Cambridge rows fiercely with his team mates as he glides along Dalvay Lake
William got rather wet in the friendly dragon boat race but that did not stop his competitive spirit showing through, goading the opposition as he rows to victory
It's all smiles in the end, though, as he gives his wife a hug back on the jetty after he won by several metres
Royal seal of approval: Prince William gives the thumbs up to his victorious crew while Kate looks forward from the steering position at the back of her team's boat
Heather Moyse, the Olympic bobsled gold medallist, shared a joke with William as she presented him with a bottle of champagne for winning the race.
The sportswoman said she heard the royal on the radio joking about persuading his uncle the Earl of Wessex to rename the island Prince William Island.
She said: 'I told him PWI is harder to say than PEI, but if he could arrange it with his uncle we would not mind.'
She added: 'Both he and Kate are very competitive, so I think it was good. As a female athlete, I would be really annoyed if someone let me win.'
The royal couple were later welcomed by First Nations people with a traditional Mi'kmaq smudging ceremony.
They took part in a 'smudging ceremony', a ritual which involves a Mi'kmag elder lighting sage leaves and wafting the smoke with an eagle wing toward her and William
William, damp in patches from his rowing pursuits, makes Kate laugh heartily at something he said as a chef prepares a lobster for the couple
Kate, pictured as she heads toward the lake where she took part in the dragon boat race
Kate smiles at her opponents after arriving on show following the race on Dalvay Lake
Despite getting rather wet from rowing and losing the race to her husband, Kate keeps smiling
Methilda Knockwood-Snache, 60, a Mi'kmaq elder who had lit some Sage leaves in a bowl wafted the smoke with an eagle wing towards the Duke and Duchess standing in front of her.
Kate went first in the ceremony cupping her hands and wafting the pungent smoke up to her face before chatting to the 60-year-old.
William followed and did the same and also exchanged a few words with the elder before the royals gave Ms Knockwood-Snache and others with her, traditional gifts of tea - from exclusive store Fortnum and Mason - and red velvet packages containing tobacco.
After the ceremony the elder said the ritual cleanses the recipient's 'bad thoughts', senses and body.
She added: 'I told William it would help him in his job as he's going to be faced with a lot of work and some times will be hard.
'I said that's why I'm smudging you to offer you guidance and he said 'I really need it'.
Kate and William cover their ears from the noise of a Canadian rescue helicopter as they arrived in Summerside later today
The book has sold more than 50 million copies and draws thousands of tourists to the picturesque island, with its charming bays and clapperboard houses, each year.
At a reception to welcome them to PEI, as it is known, Kate chattered excitedly about her childhood passion for the book which she first read when she was eight. 'She [Anne Shirley] was a real heroine. You could lose yourself in it. I loved it,' she said.
The morning saw the couple first take part in more formal festivities, with the Duchess dressing for the occasion in a nautical-style cream and pale blue cable-knit pencil dress by Sarah Burton at Alexander McQueen, who designed her much-lauded wedding dress.
Prince William sits in the seat to the left after having taken part in the exercise known as 'waterbirding'
Ready for action: With camera in hand, Kate waves to her husband as he comes in to land, while Prince William looked relaxed as he made his way to the Sea King
Prince William can be seen surveying the water below through the window of the Sea King as he takes off and lands several times
Prince William confidently tips the Sea King so that his wife and the watching crowd could see into the cockpit while left, the helicopter is seen moments after take off
Crowds look on as Prince William shows off his flying skills aboard a Canadian Forces Sea King helicopter, landing the amphibious craft on water earlier today
Unusually, she had her long, dark hair tied back in a loose pony tail courtesy of her personal hairdresser, James Pryce, who has joined her for the trip.
Sadly, however, the heavens truly opened just before they were due to arrive for a fun-packed afternoon at the picturesque beachside resort of Dalvay-by-the-Sea.
There was just enough time for a quick change into more casual fare.
For Kate this was figure-hugging blue trousers showing her tiny physique and a navy overcoat topped off with a red scarf casually knotted around her neck and white and cream deck shoes.
First it was a chance for William show off his skills an RAF search and rescue helicopter pilot, by co-piloting a Sea King.
Visit: William and Kate arrive at Prince Edward Island watched by a number of fans who had dressed up in period costume for the occasion
Lady in white: Kate wore a cricket style outfit for the occasion which she teamed with navy shoes. The Royal couple were met by hundreds of cheering fans
Wardrobe malfunction? Kate's skirt is caught by the wind as she greets fans in blustery and wet conditions
Something funny? Kate laughs as Prince William struggles to put a pen back into its holder after signing the guest book at Province House in Charlottetown
As his wife – who admitted earlier this week she worries every time the pilot prince takes off – waved, William climbed aboard the chopper for a demonstration of 'waterbirding', a manoeuvre unique to Canadian pilots which is designed to simulate an emergency landing on water.
The Duchess excitedly took pictures of her husband from the edge of the lake.
On one occasion, he brought the helicopter around in front of his wife and banked slightly so she had a good view into the cockpit before flying off.
The Duke specifically asked to take part in the training exercise as the technique is legendary among helicopter pilots and he is one of only a handful of British ones who have had the opportunity to try it.
William was then joined on the water by his wife for a spot of Dragon Boat racing.
The jaunt proved a welcome return for Kate, who in 2007 trained with all-girl team The Sisterhood for a cross-Channel dragon boat fundraiser when she was dating the prince.
She was forced to pull out shortly before the race took place, however, over fears that her presence would attract too many photographers.
The night before her latest adventure the Duchess confided that she fully expected William to win.
'I think I am going to take a ducking,' she told reporters.
William wasn't quite as confident, admitting: 'We are both very competitive.'She beats me at tennis and skiing but I am better at the rest.'
The Duke and Duchess were put in opposing teams and helped to row across the other side of Dalvay Lake.
William's team pipped Kate's to victory by a third of a length and as he got out of the boat he hugged his wife in a rare public display of affection, although aides said there was a fair bit of joshing afterwards.
Despite the miserable conditions, the Duke and Duchess enthusiastically ploughed on with a planned walkabout, sampling local foods including lobster, oysters and chocolate-covered potato crisps - which taste far nicer than they sound.
The couple also took part in a native Mi'kmaq 'smudging' ceremony where they were brushed with burning herbs, including sage and cedar, to cleanse them of negative energy by First Nation Chief, Lennox Island.
The couple, who enjoy sparring at tennis and other sports, entered into the spirit of competition beforehand.
Asked who was going to win William said, 'We are. Of course!'
And when Kate approached with her team, she was less certain.
Are you going to win? 'Not sure about that. I'm feeling slightly nervous,' she said.
Great excitement: Kate shakes hands and chats with well-wishers in the crowd outside Province House
Curtsey: An actor dressed in period costume meets the Prince outside Province House
Say cheese: A young Canadian fan is delighted by Kate as the pair pose for a photograph
'What they've seen in Quebec, in Montreal the last two days is, for them, just part of the rich fabric of Canada and in no way detracts from how much they respect and admire the country,' said the couple's spokesman, Miguel Head.
'They've very much fallen in love with the country.'
The jeers contrasted with the start of the royal couple's Canadian trip in the largely English-speaking capital, Ottawa, where they were cheered by tens of thousands of people on Friday's Canada Day holiday.
Quebec separatists are angry that Canada still has ties to the monarchy. Queen Elizabeth II is still the country's head of state.
Police were out in force in downtown Quebec City. About 200 protesters, some wearing black and waving flags, demonstrated about two blocks from City Hall, where Prince William, a Royal Air Force helicopter pilot, attended a ceremony to honour and inspect the Royal 22e Regiment, the most famous French-speaking unit in the Canadian military.
Welcoming: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge arrive at Province house in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, escorted by Royal Canadian Mounted Police officers
Mounted guard: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were driven through the streets in a horse-drawn landau with Prince Edward Island Premier Robert Ghiz and his wife Kate Ellis
Mobbed: Prince William proves a big hit with Canadians as he meets fans
A larger crowd of several hundred supporters, chanting 'Will and Kate' were allowed closer to City Hall and greeted the royal motorcade with loud cheers when it arrived.
After a military band played the first six bars of 'God Save the Queen,' Prince William made brief remarks entirely in French.
'You, the Quebecois et Quebecoise, have such vitality and a remarkable pride. We are simply delighted to be here,' he said.
Undeterred by the nearby protesters, Prince William and Kate charmed the Quebeckers with an unexpected walkabout. The royal couple went to the barricade, chatting and shaking hands with enthusiastic supporters in the square around City Hall before leaving by motorcade.
Support for the separatists among Quebeckers has been on the decline in recent years as the 80 per cent French-speaking province has enjoyed plenty of autonomy even without quitting Canada.
Staying dry: The Duchess holds an umbrella as her husband meets Mounted Police officers
Close: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge enjoy a private moment as they continue with their busy schedule
Waving the flag: Schoolchildren were among thousands of fans who waited for a chance of a glimpse of the Royal couple
