Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge made their first public UK appearance since the topless picture scandal that rocked the royal household.

The pair visited the historic Honourable Society of the Middle Temple where they were introduced to recipients of 'Duke and Duchess of Cambridge Scholarships'.

The society already hands out scholarships named after Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother and Diana, Princess of Wales.

middleton

It was the couple's first public appearance since the topless picture scandal

They are given out to law students who have had to overcome financial or personal difficulties in order to study.

Wearing a short burgundy skater skirt and matching jacket by designer Paule Ka with thick black tights and heels, Middleton looked happy and relaxed.

Despite the continuing privacy case against the French publishers of the topless pictures, Middleton is said to be determined to carry on her increasingly busy public role.

The visit marks the start of a four-day UK tour which will take in Burton-On-Trent, Newcastle and Stockton-On-Tees.

The Newcastle visit, on Thursday, will see Middleton making a solo appearance as the Prince will be attending the funeral of Olga Powell, nanny to William and Harry when they were younger.

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  • The Duke And Duchess Of Cambridge Meet Middle Temple Scholars

    LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 08: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge laughs as she visits Middle Temple on October 8, 2012 in London, England. The Duke of Cambridge, Master of the Bench, and The Duchess of Cambridge met recipients of the Queen Mother Scholarship, the Diana, Princess of Wales Scholarship and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge Scholarships at Middle Temple Inn, London. (Photo by Chris Jackson - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

  • The Duke And Duchess Of Cambridge Meet Middle Temple Scholars

    LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 08: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge visit Middle Temple on October 8, 2012 in London, England. The Duke of Cambridge, Master of the Bench, and The Duchess of Cambridge met recipients of the Queen Mother Scholarship, the Diana, Princess of Wales Scholarship and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge Scholarships at Middle Temple Inn, London. (Photo by Chris Jackson - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

  • The Duke And Duchess Of Cambridge Meet Middle Temple Scholars

    LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 08: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge visit Middle Temple on October 8, 2012 in London, England. The Duke of Cambridge, Master of the Bench, and The Duchess of Cambridge met recipients of the Queen Mother Scholarship, the Diana, Princess of Wales Scholarship and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge Scholarships at Middle Temple Inn, London. (Photo by Chris Jackson - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

  • The Duke And Duchess Of Cambridge Meet Middle Temple Scholars

    LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 08: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge visit Middle Temple on October 8, 2012 in London, England. The Duke of Cambridge, Master of the Bench, and The Duchess of Cambridge met recipients of the Queen Mother Scholarship, the Diana, Princess of Wales Scholarship and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge Scholarships at Middle Temple Inn, London. (Photo by Chris Jackson - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

  • The Duke And Duchess Of Cambridge Meet Middle Temple Scholars

    LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 08: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge laughs as she visits Middle Temple on October 8, 2012 in London, England. The Duke of Cambridge, Master of the Bench, and The Duchess of Cambridge met recipients of the Queen Mother Scholarship, the Diana, Princess of Wales Scholarship and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge Scholarships at Middle Temple Inn, London. (Photo by Chris Jackson - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

  • The Duke And Duchess Of Cambridge Meet Middle Temple Scholars

    LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 08: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge laughs as she visits Middle Temple on October 8, 2012 in London, England. The Duke of Cambridge, Master of the Bench, and The Duchess of Cambridge met recipients of the Queen Mother Scholarship, the Diana, Princess of Wales Scholarship and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge Scholarships at Middle Temple Inn, London. (Photo by Chris Jackson - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

  • The Duke And Duchess Of Cambridge Meet Middle Temple Scholars

    LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 08: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge signs the visitors book as she visits Middle Temple on October 8, 2012 in London, England. The Duke of Cambridge, Master of the Bench, and The Duchess of Cambridge met recipients of the Queen Mother Scholarship, the Diana, Princess of Wales Scholarship and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge Scholarships at Middle Temple Inn, London. (Photo by Chris Jackson - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

  • The Duke And Duchess Of Cambridge Meet Middle Temple Scholars

    LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 08: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge laughs as she visits Middle Temple on October 8, 2012 in London, England. The Duke of Cambridge, Master of the Bench, and The Duchess of Cambridge met recipients of the Queen Mother Scholarship, the Diana, Princess of Wales Scholarship and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge Scholarships at Middle Temple Inn, London. (Photo by Chris Jackson-WPA Pool/Getty Images)

  • The Duke And Duchess Of Cambridge Meet Middle Temple Scholars

    LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 08: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge pose with Duke and Duchess of Cambridge Scholarship recipients Kerri-Anne Ferdinando and Steven Kennedy as they visit Middle Temple on October 8, 2012 in London, England. The Duke of Cambridge, Master of the Bench, and The Duchess of Cambridge met recipients of the Queen Mother Scholarship, the Diana, Princess of Wales Scholarship and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge Scholarships at Middle Temple Inn, London. (Photo by Chris Jackson-WPA Pool/Getty Images)

  • The Duke And Duchess Of Cambridge Meet Middle Temple Scholars

    LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 08: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge laugh as they sign the visitors book as during a visit to Middle Temple on October 8, 2012 in London, England. The Duke of Cambridge, Master of the Bench, and The Duchess of Cambridge met recipients of the Queen Mother Scholarship, the Diana, Princess of Wales Scholarship and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge Scholarships at Middle Temple Inn, London. (Photo by Chris Jackson-WPA Pool/Getty Images)

  • The Duke And Duchess Of Cambridge Meet Middle Temple Scholars

    LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 08: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge laughs as she visits Middle Temple on October 8, 2012 in London, England. The Duke of Cambridge, Master of the Bench, and The Duchess of Cambridge met recipients of the Queen Mother Scholarship, the Diana, Princess of Wales Scholarship and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge Scholarships at Middle Temple Inn, London. (Photo by Chris Jackson-WPA Pool/Getty Images)

  • The Duke And Duchess Of Cambridge Meet Middle Temple Scholars

    LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 08: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge visit Middle Temple on October 8, 2012 in London, England. The Duke of Cambridge, Master of the Bench, and The Duchess of Cambridge met recipients of the Queen Mother Scholarship, the Diana, Princess of Wales Scholarship and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge Scholarships at Middle Temple Inn, London. (Photo by Chris Jackson-WPA Pool/Getty Images)

  • The Duke And Duchess Of Cambridge Meet Middle Temple Scholars

    LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 08: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge visit Middle Temple on October 8, 2012 in London, England. The Duke of Cambridge, Master of the Bench, and The Duchess of Cambridge met recipients of the Queen Mother Scholarship, the Diana, Princess of Wales Scholarship and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge Scholarships at Middle Temple Inn, London. (Photo by Chris Jackson-WPA Pool/Getty Images)