The Duchess of Cambridge has showed some stamina which would make many women in the early stages of pregnancy green with envy - and we're not talking about morning sickness.

She and Prince Williams have beamed through royal appointments, from Cambridge to Newcastle, delivering speeches, playing hockey and cuddling children, with Kate looking picture-perfect despite almost certainly overcome by waves of early pregnancy nausea everytime a perfumed dignitary drew closer.

If the couple were anxious, they didn't show it. In fact, pictures from recent weeks show they could not keep the smiles from their faces.

Royal experts have claimed the Duchess is just eight weeks pregnant.

The couple took a break from public engagements after returning from their manic tour of the Far East, which was marred by the publication of topless photos by a French gossip magazine, taken of the Duchess as she sunbathed in a French chateau.

Pregnancy rumours were already swirling, via a poorly photoshopped American magazine, Star, which reported the Duchess drank only water all evening at a reception in Singapore, and was pregnant with twins.

In the photoshopped picture, Kate had a swollen stomach, was missing her right-hand ring and a much smaller section of her left forearm was visible.

Their first public engagement was the historic Honourable Society of the Middle Temple where they were introduced to recipients of 'Duke and Duchess of Cambridge Scholarships'.

In a modest burgundy suit, Kate looked happy and relaxed since her return home.

The couple headed north for the start of a four-day UK tour which will took in Burton-On-Trent, Newcastle and Stockton-On-Tees.

With Kate bundled up against the cold, but still with a wide smile on her face, the couple visited the FA's £105m St George's Park, near Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire, before opening the facility.

But Kate was left alone in Newcastle, making a solo appearance as Prince attended the funeral of Olga Powell, nanny to William and Harry when they were younger.

The couple were back in London for a rare night out at the exclusive LouLou private member's club in Mayfair, with Kate leaving the club late at night, looking the picture of dignity, next to slightly more wobbly sister Pippa, perhaps having skipped the cocktails.

Beaming from ear-to-ear, and unveiling a new fringe reminiscent of Charlie's Angels, a definitely pregnant Kate headed to the Natural History museum, where she was given a preview of the Treasures gallery.

But the secret was still safe with the couple, although the hum of speculation rose to a roar as the couple headed to Cambridge for a visit to the town which gave them their titles.

SEE ALSO

• Duchess And Duke Of Cambridge Announce Baby News
• 74 Pictures Of Royal Mother-To-Be Cuddling Children
• A Look Back At When Princess Diana Had William

Prince William sparked royal baby rumours in Cambridge after accepting a romper suit from a well-wisher, telling her "I'll keep that."

The Duke of Cambridge was in the city with his wife Kate when he was presented with the gift by Samantha Hill.

The handmade baby-gro featured a helicopter and the words "Daddy's little co-pilot" - a reference to the Prince's career as a search and rescue captain.

It prompted Coral to suspend betting on the existence of a Royal zygote. A Coral spokesman told ITV: "We saw numerous bets for a royal new arrival throughout the Jubilee summer, and the betting went through the roof again this week when Prince William accepted a babygro while on a tour of Cambridge.

"We cut the odds to 1-4 and then again to 1-8, at which point we decided to suspend the betting. If the money talks, 2013 will see a new addition to the royal family."

It was business as usual for Kate, who headed to her old prep school to play hockey in high heels, and even more impressive feat in retrospect.

But the best laid plans for a special announcement, rumoured to be planned for Christmas Day, were laid to ruin. First, it was the insistence of schoolfriend Jessica Hay that the duchess was "100% pregnant" to an Australian magazine.

And then the couple were forced to make the announcement early as the Duchess was admitted to hospital with hyperemesis gravidarum.

Here's hoping the smiles are back on their faces soon.

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• The Duke And Duchess Of Cambridge Make An Official Visit To Cambridge

  CAMBRIDGE, UNITED KINGDOM - NOVEMBER 28: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge watch a performance as they visit Manor School as she pays an official visit to Cambridge with Prince William, Duke of Cambridge on November 28, 2012 in Cambridge, United Kingdom. (Photo by Chris Jackson - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

• BRITAIN-ROYALS

  Britain's Prince William, Duke of Cambridge (L) and Britain's Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge (R) speak to dignitaries as they arrive for a visit to Peterborough City Hospital in Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, north of London, on November 28, 2012. Britain's Prince William and his wife Catherine visited the university city that is home to their dukedom on November 28 for the first time since they were given their official titles. AFP PHOTO / LEON NEAL (Photo credit should read LEON NEAL/AFP/Getty Images)

• BRITAIN-ROYALS

  Britain's Prince William, Duke of Cambridge (L) and Britain's Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge (R) speak to dignitaries as they arrive visit Peterborough City Hospital in Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, north of London, on November 28, 2012. Britain's Prince William and his wife Catherine visited the university city that is home to their dukedom on November 28 for the first time since they were given their official titles. AFP PHOTO / LEON NEAL (Photo credit should read LEON NEAL/AFP/Getty Images)

• The Duke And Duchess Of Cambridge Official Visit To Peterborough

  PETERBOROUGH, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 28: Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge pose for patient Mrs.Linda Smith at Peterborough City Hospital during an official visit to Peterborough on November 28, 2012 in Peterborough, England. (Photo by Mark Large - WPA Pool /Getty Images)

• Royal visit to Cambridgeshire

  Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge stand on the balcony at the Guildhall on their firstofficial visit to Cambridge.

• Royal visit to Cambridgeshire

  Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge stand on the balcony at the Guildhall on their firstofficial visit to Cambridge.

• Royal visit to Cambridgeshire

  Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge stand on the balcony at the Guildhall on their firstofficial visit to Cambridge.

• Royal visit to Cambridgeshire

  Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge stand on the balcony at the Guildhall on their firstofficial visit to Cambridge.

• Royal visit to Cambridgeshire

  Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge stand on the balcony at the Guildhall on their firstofficial visit to Cambridge.

• Rugby Union - Dove Men Series - Wales v New Zealand - Millennium Stadium

  The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge with WRU Chairman David Pickering and CEO Roger Lewis following the Dove Men Series match at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff.

• Rugby Union - Dove Men Series - Wales v New Zealand - Millennium Stadium

  The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge watch the Dove Men Series match at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff.

• Royal reception for Team GB Medallists

  The Duchess of Cambridge smiles as she talks to Olympic and Paralympic Athletes during a reception for Team GB Medallists at the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games at Buckingham Palace, London.

• Royal reception for Team GB Medallists

  The Duchess of Cambridge smiles as she talks to Olympic and Paralympic Athletes during a reception for Team GB Medallists at the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games at Buckingham Palace, London.

• Royal reception for Team GB Medallists

  The Duchess of Cambridge talks to Olympic and Paralympic Athletes during a reception for Team GB Medallists at the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games at Buckingham Palace, London.

• Royal reception for Team GB Medallists

  The Duchess of Cambridge smiles as she talks to Carl Hester, Charlotte Dujardin, and Scott Brash (left to right) during a reception for Team GB Medallists at the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games at Buckingham Palace, London.

• Royal visit to St George's Park

  The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge with Steven Gerrard during the official launch of The Football Association's National Football Centre at St George's Park in Burton-upon-Trent, England.

• Royal visit to St George's Park

  The Duchess of Cambridge during the official launch of The Football Association's National Football Centre at St George's Park in Burton-upon-Trent, England.

• Royal visit to St George's Park

  The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge speak to young footballers during the official launch of The Football Association's National Football Centre at St George's Park in Burton-upon-Trent, England.

• Royal visit to St George's Park

  Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge attend the official opening of the Football Association's National Football Centre at St. George's Park, Burton-on-Trent.

• Royal visit to St George's Park

  The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge during the official launch of The Football Association's National Football Centre at St George's Park in Burton-upon-Trent, England.

• Royal visit to St George's Park

  The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge during the official launch of The Football Association's National Football Centre at St George's Park in Burton-upon-Trent, England.

• Royal visit to St George's Park

  The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in the hyrotherapy suite during the official launch of The Football Association's National Football Centre at St George's Park in Burton-upon-Trent, England.

• Royal visit to St George's Park

  The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in the hyrotherapy suite during the official launch of The Football Association's National Football Centre at St George's Park in Burton-upon-Trent, England.

• Royal visit to St George's Park

  The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge view the swimming pool during the official launch of The Football Association's National Football Centre at St George's Park in Burton-upon-Trent, England.

• Royal visit to St George's Park

  The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge view the swimming pool during the official launch of The Football Association's National Football Centre at St George's Park in Burton-upon-Trent, England.

• Royal visit to St George's Park

  The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge during the official launch of The Football Association's National Football Centre at St George's Park in Burton-upon-Trent, England.

• Royal visit to St George's Park

  The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge with Steven Gerrard during the official launch of The Football Association's National Football Centre at St George's Park in Burton-upon-Trent, England.

• Royal visit to St George's Park

  The Duke of Cambridge talks to Jermaine Defoe as the Duchess of Cambridge looks on in the hyrotherapy suite during the official launch of The Football Association's National Football Centre at St George's Park in Burton-upon-Trent, England.

• Royal visit to St George's Park

  The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge during the official launch of The Football Association's National Football Centre at St George's Park in Burton-upon-Trent.

• Royal visit to St George's Park

  The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge pose with the England team during the official launch of The Football Association's National Football Centre at St George's Park in Burton-upon-Trent.

• Royal visit to St George's Park

  Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge pose with the England football team during the official opening of the Football Association's National Football Centre at St. George's Park, Burton-on-Trent.

• Royal visit to St George's Park

  Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge pose with the England football team during the official opening of the Football Association's National Football Centre at St. George's Park, Burton-on-Trent.

• The Duke And Duchess Of Cambridge Meet Middle Temple Scholars

  The Duchess of Cambridge visits Middle Temple in London, England. The Duke, Master of the Bench, and The Duchess 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.

• The Duke And Duchess Of Cambridge Meet Middle Temple Scholars

  The Duchess of Cambridge visits Middle Temple in London, England. The Duke, Master of the Bench, and The Duchess 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.

• The Duke And Duchess Of Cambridge Meet Middle Temple Scholars

  The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visit Middle Temple in London, England. The Duke, Master of the Bench, and The Duchess 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.

• University of St Andrews 600th Anniversary Appeal reception

  The Duchess of Cambridge attends a reception and dinner in aid of the University of St Andrews 600th Anniversary Appeal at Middle Temple Treasury, London.

• The Duke And Duchess Of Cambridge Meet Middle Temple Scholars

  The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visit Middle Temple in London, England. The Duke, Master of the Bench, and The Duchess 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.

• Royal tour of the Far East and South Pacific - Day Six

  The Duchess of Cambridge in traditional Island clothing during a visit to the home of Governor General Frank Kabui in Honiara, Solomon Islands, as part of their the nine-day royal tour of the Far East and South Pacific in honour of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

• Royal tour of the Far East and South Pacific - Day Eight

  The Duchess of Cambridge during a visit to Nauti Primary School in Tuvalu, Solomon Islands, part of a nine-day royal tour of the Far East and South Pacific in honour of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

• Royal tour of the Far East and South Pacific - Day Seven

  The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visit Tavanipupu Island, the Solomon Islands, on their Diamond Jubilee tour of the Far East.

• Duchess of Cambridge expecting

  File photo dated 18/9/2012 of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge depart from Honiara airport, Solomon Islands. The Duchess of Cambridge is expecting a baby, St James's Palace announced today.

• Royal tour of the Far East and South Pacific - Day Eight

  The Duchess of Cambridge dances with locals at Vaiaku Falekaupule during a visit to Tuvalu, Solomon Islands, during a nine-day royal tour of the Far East and South Pacific in honour of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

• Royal tour of the Far East and South Pacific - Day Six

  The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in traditional Island clothing during a visit to the home of Governor General Frank Kabui in Honiara, Solomon Islands, as part of their nine-day royal tour of the Far East and South Pacific in honour of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

• Royal tour of the Far East and South Pacific - Day Eight

  The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge dance with locals at Vaiaku Falekaupule during a visit to Tuvalu, Solomon Islands, during a nine-day royal tour of the Far East and South Pacific in honour of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

• Royal tour of the Far East and South Pacific - Day Seven

  The Duchess of Cambridge meets locals during a visit to the Cultural Village in the Solomon Islands, during the nine-day royal tour of the Far East and South Pacific in honour of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

• Royal tour of the Far East and South Pacific - Day Six

  The Duke and The Duchess of Cambridge on an open-top vehicle, shaped as a traditional canoe with a leaf roof canopy as they depart from Henderson Airport, Honiara, Solomon Islands, during the nine-day royal tour of the Far East and South Pacific in honour of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

• Royal tour of the Far East and South Pacific - Day Eight

  The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge dance with locals at Vaiaku Falekaupule during a visit to Tuvalu, Solomon Islands, during a nine-day royal tour of the Far East and South Pacific in honour of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

• Royal tour of the Far East and South Pacific - Day Eight

  The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge dance with locals at Vaiaku Falekaupule during a visit to Tuvalu, Solomon Islands, during a nine-day royal tour of the Far East and South Pacific in honour of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

• Royal tour of the Far East and South Pacific - Day Eight

  The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge dance with locals at Vaiaku Falekaupule during a visit to Tuvalu, Solomon Islands, during a nine-day royal tour of the Far East and South Pacific in honour of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

• Royal tour of the Far East and South Pacific - Day Eight

  NOTE ALTERNATE CROP.The Duchess of Cambridge dances with locals at Vaiaku Falekaupule during a visit to Tuvalu, Solomon Islands, during a nine-day royal tour of the Far East and South Pacific in honour of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

• Royal tour of the Far East and South Pacific - Day Eight

  The Duchess of Cambridge dances with locals at the Vaiku Falekaupule for an entertainment programme during a visit to Tuvalu, Solomon Islands, during a nine-day royal tour of the Far East and South Pacific in honour of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.