Home » duchess kate » duchess of cambridge » duke and duchess of cambridge » William Kate and Harry Coach Core » Duchess Kate in Familiar Blazer for Coach Core Graduation!

Duchess Kate in Familiar Blazer for Coach Core Graduation!

Another surprise appearance from Kate today! The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry visited West Ham United's London Stadium to attend the graduation for more than 150 Coach Core apprentices.


The royals were welcomed upon arrival.


It marks Kate's third public engagement since the pregnancy announcement. Yesterday, Kensington Palace confirmed the royal baby is due in April - a sign the Duchess is past the twelve week stage and all is well. The Palace also confirmed the postponement of the Norway/Sweden tour until early 2018. A Royal source told Rebecca English "she's better and is keen to do as much as she can. But she's taking it day-to-day in deciding what she can do." It very much looks like Kate's pregnancy is following a similar pattern to her first two, and she is feeling much better now. It's great to see her with William and Harry today.


The Coach Core apprenticeship scheme was designed by The Royal Foundation of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry to take young people aged 16 – 24 with limited opportunities, and train them to be sports coaches and positive role models and mentors in their communities. The apprentices learn technical sport skills alongside an inclusive and holistic approach to coaching, with an emphasis on employability and mentoring skills. Coach Core is proud to have transformed the lives of its apprentices with 98% of its graduates now being in full-time employment or education, and 80% retain strong ties with their employers and continue to engage in community sport. Apart from qualifications, participants gain the opportunity to grow, support from a network  of professionals and the chance to develop personal qualities including leadership and confidence.


Kate talked to apprentices about their experiences.


The royals have been supporting Coach Core for years. Below, we see the trio at the launch of the sports programme in 2012.


Before the ceremony, William, Kate and Harry watched a number of different sports being played. Duchess Kate chatted with Judy Murray, who has been helping with tennis elements of the programme.


A video from Simon Perry.


More from the Mail Online:

Judy Murray, who is a tennis coach and helped inspire and train her son Andy to grand slam standard, caught up with Kate to talk about their shared love of sport. She said: 'To have the backing of the princes and the duchess is amazing and a huge inspiration for all the young people.'
She said she and Kate spoke about developing coordination in children. 'We were talking about the things you can do with kids when they're little to help them develop those core skills. They don't need to be taught by a coach. Parents have got a big role to play in that. The prince and the duchess are very sporty so I'm sure they'll be keen for their kids to enjoy sport as well. We were talking about the things you can with balloons when kids are very small and that bean bags don't roll. She's been trying with the balloons and I was telling her to try bubbles as well. Blow bubbles and splat them with a little table tennis (ping pong) bat. It's a fun way of developing those basic skills. Kids learn best when they're playing.'

William and Kate chatted with representatives from West Ham United.


Prince Harry gets involved in a rugby masterclass.


This apprenticeship programme improves the availability and quality of sports coaching, creating a solid career path. Apprentices attended the ceremony from seven different areas where Coach Core operates (London, Glasgow, Essex, Nottingham, Birmingham, Manchester, and South Wales), with those graduating from London, Glasgow, Wales and Essex.


Prince William poses for photos.


Next, it was time for the graduation ceremony, pitchside at London Stadium, with speeches from the Chairman of Coach Core Ed Wray, and Karren Brady the Vice-Chairman of West Ham United.


William and Kate took to the stage and listened as Harry delivered a speech.


During a speech, Prince Harry announced that Coach Core is starting in three new areas: Middlesbrough, Devon, and Bristol. "It's so appropriate that we are back here – five years after it all began, during the incredible summer of the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. At the time, William, Catherine and I were looking at the issues that we wanted to tackle together with our newly formed Royal Foundation. It was clear that all three of us believed firmly that sport could be such a powerful force for good. We felt confident that for many young people, at risk of falling through the cracks, as they left school, sport could be the answer to keeping them on track or change the course their lives were already headed. We knew that with the enthusiasm sweeping the country during that summer, we had a window of opportunity to bring the right people and organisations to the table to make something really exciting happen. The idea for Coach Core was born."


The royals congratulated graduates.


Before departing, they posed for photos.


Did you do a double take when you saw Kate's jacket?


Kate Middleton Style instantly spotted it's the blue version of the red Philosophy di Lorenzo Serafini blazer Kate wore on Valentine's Day for an engagement with RAF Cadets. We know the Duchess has often purchased pieces she loves in several colours.


Woven with touches of wool, this twill piece has a double-breasted front, peak lapels and embossed gold buttons. The garment is from the Resort 2017 Collection and was made in Italy. The blazer has been sold out for some time, you can view product information at FarFetch. It originally retailed for £720. A very similar blazer is available in black at Farfetch


The background of the brand:

'Renowned Italian designer Alberta Ferretti founded Philosophy in 1984 with a focus on soft, feminine dressing for day and evening. In 2014, Lorenzo Serafini assumed the role of creative director, adding a touch of glamour to the label’s romantic roots.'

Once again, Kate styled the blazer with a black turtle neck sweater and black skinny jeans.


A closer look at Kate's new double zip ankle boots.


They are the Fallon Dry style from Russell & Bromley (with thanks to What Kate Wore, Katherine Elizabeth & Bonnie Lass). The £295 Chelsea Boots are described as "With elastic detailing and a stack heel, Fallon Dry by Aquatalia is the perfect gaucho-chelsea boot hybrid. Crafted from weather resistant black suede and featuring two zips, they delicately toe the line between smart and casual."

Russell & Bromley

Kate accessorised with her Kiki McDonough Lauren earrings.

Kiki McDonough

Well done to all those who graduated today. It's good to see an increased focus on Royal Foundation projects.