Happy couple: The pair arrive at the lifeboat station for their first public appearancePrince William and Kate Middleton have arrived at an RNLI lifeboat station for their first public appearance.
The couple smiled and waved to a jubilant crowd of hundreds gathered at Trearddur Bay in Anglesey, North Wales, where the attending a service of dedication for a new vessel before meeting well-wishers later.
The couple joined in with a hymn shortly after their arrival.
Miss Middleton was wearing a Philip Treacey headpiece with a khaki-coloured military-style coat with brown trimmings.
Huw Morgan Daniel, Lord Lieutenant for Gwynedd, received the pair and presented Mrs Huw Morgan Daniel, chairman of the Isle of Anglesey County Council Selwyn Williams and Judge Graham Hume Jones, president of Holyhead and Trearddur Bay Lifeboat Station to them.
Crowds of people turned up early at the pretty dockside, braving blustery winds and grey skies, to ensure they had a prime position to see William and Miss Middleton, who will marry at Westminster Abbey on April 29.
Before the event, Lisa Taylor, 42, from Valley, said: 'I think it's fantastic. The work the RNLI do around here is vital. To have such high-profile guests is great for them.
'It's going to be wonderful to see William and Kate. Really exciting.'
Jean and Keith Critchley took their three-year-old grandson, Samuel, to the event.
The couple, who have a holiday home on Anglesey, said it would be good for the area.
Hymn: Royal couple join in shortly after arriving in Anglesey
Perfect look: Bride-to-be Kate Middleton was smartly-dressed for the occasionA palace spokesman said today was the couple's first official engagement where Miss Middleton had been invited as a guest of honour.
He said: 'They (Prince William and Miss Middleton) asked for their first joint engagement to be in Anglesey.
'Then the lifeboat station approached us about the new lifeboat and, given that Prince William is a search and rescue pilot and at some point is very likely to be working with crew, it seemed appropriate.'
Mrs Critchley, 63, from Warrington, Cheshire, said: 'They are a lovely couple. He is a great lad and she is a beautiful girl.'
Mary Shaw, 71, from Trearddur Bay, agreed.
'They are a lovely couple. They will get an excellent reception.'
Claire James, from Chester, was accompanied by her three children - Charlie, 10, Beau, eight, and seven-year-old Sam.
She said: 'I am very excited. My daughter wants to ask if they want a spare bridesmaid - she will step in!'
source: dailymail
