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Pregnant Catherine gets back to work, meets with Singapore’s president

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The former Kate Middleton is back to her official duties and has made her first public appearances since announcing the royal-baby sequel.

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, joined husband Prince William on Tuesday to welcome Singapore’s president to the United Kingdom. Later that evening, she continued her royal tasks when she attended the Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2014 Awards ceremony.

The duchess, whose second child is due in April, has been keeping a low profile since she and Wills announced the second pregnancy on Sept. 8.

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Catherine has repeatedly had to cancel events, including what would have been her first solo overseas trip, to Malta, because of hyperemesis gravidarum — extreme morning sickness — that also plagued the duchess while she was pregnant with Prince George, the third in line to the British throne.

On Monday, the palace said that she continues to be affected by the illness, “but her condition is steadily improving.”

By Tuesday, though, the glowing duchess stepped out in a gray Alexander McQueen coat and matching Jane Taylor hat, giving the masses a glimpse of her barely there baby bump as she and William welcomed Singapore’s Tony Tan Keng Yam and his wife, Mary Chee Bee Kiang, kicking off the dignitaries’ four-day trip to Britain.

The young royals, who visited Singapore in 2012 on behalf of Queen Elizabeth II as part of the Diamond Jubilee tour, met with their visitors for tea at the Royal Garden Hotel. The president’s wife said she was glad that expectant Kate could make the engagement, according to the Telegraph.

“So am I,” Kate replied. “I’ve been looking forward to getting out of the house, that’s for sure.”

The Cambridges posed for an official portrait with the president and his wife before sitting down to tea.

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Additional pomp included the Horse Guards Parade and carriage procession to Buckingham Palace, where the visitors met with Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip.

Later that night, Prince George’s mom donned a pale blue Jenny Packham dress that handily concealed the beginnings of a burgeoning belly.

The 32-year-old royal attended the wildlife-photographer honors at the Natural History Museum, where she is a patron. There she met with the finalists, viewed the exhibition and joined naturalist broadcaster David Attenborough to present awards to the winners of the adult and youth competitions.

American photographer Michael “Nick” Nichols took the Grand Title prize. You can see his award-winning photograph here.

Follow me on Twitter @NardineSaad.

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