Kate Middleton was greeted by thousands of admirers in Liverpool as she flew solo for a string of royal engagements on Valentine's Day.
William, the Duke of Cambridge managed to send a card and flowers to his other half for the romantic holiday despite being 8,000 miles away in the Falklands, but Kate was also presented with cupcakes, flowers and adoring crowds as she arrived in Merseyside.
Kate's first solo regional visit saw her travelling up to Liverpool to visit recovering alcohol addicts as well as recognising a charity that helps the families of sick children live closer to hospitals.
The Duchess also toured Alder Hey hospital burns and surgery unit, bringing some sunshine to the children suffering from disfiguring injuries on the ward.
Dozens of locals waited on the freezing streets to greet the Duchess of Cambridge, waving flags and cheering the royal.
Middleton treated the waiting crowds to a dazzling smile, dressed warmly in a mahogany coat, thick black tights and suede heels.
Unafraid to get stuck into her royal duties, Kate first visited The Brink, a dry bar run by the Action on Addiction charity. Propping up the bar, Kate took a swig of the non-alcoholic drinks served there, a honey and banana smoothie, named The Duchess in her honour.
Kate took a sip of the smoothie
"Amazing, well done" the Duchess told bartender Paula Carey, 37.
Carey told the Press Association: "she said it was delicious. I didn't think she would drink it. She made me feel relaxed and at ease because I was really nervous before."
Later, a choir sang for Kate as ex-alcoholic Rachael Lyons praised the Duchess for her charity work.
"It just felt wonderful our future queen was sitting in front of me - she seemed really interested in what I had to say," she said.
"Never in a million years did I think this would happen to me, it's amazing. And it's amazing what she's doing with Action on Addiction because this saves lives."
Children queued up to hug Kate Middleton outside Alder Hey hospital
Before Kate left for her next royal engagement in Liverpool, she was presented with flowers, cake and a St Valentine's Day card by youngster Jaqson Johnston-Lynch, as his mother Jacquie thanked the Duchess for the visit.
Jaqson told the royal visitor he was sorry Prince William could not be there for St Valentine's Day with his wife.
The delicious looking cupcake was iced with the words "Jaqson loves Kate."
An even more excited crowd had flocked to see the Duchess outside Alder Hey Children's Hospital, with dozens of admirers shouting "Kate!" as she visited Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC), which aims to provide a home away from home for the families of children being treated at the hospital.
Kate was met by director Jan Harris and introduced to various VIPs, including the leader of Liverpool City Council, Joe Anderson, and RMHC president Lady Stoddart.
She also met trustee Sylvia Lewis, who thanked her for visiting.
"It's a fantastic place," the Duchess replied.
Adding to her haul of Valentine's gifts, 10-year-old Ethan Harris presented her with a card he had made himself.
Ethan had written the Duchess a poem which read: "You're smiley like the sun, you're bright like a star, you're light when it's dark and I love your spark."
Ethan's brother Carson has complex medical needs resulting from a heart problem. The family have been living in a RMHC accommodation for years to be close to their sick child.
His mother said that Ethan had been up since 5am creating the card for Kate, and that it had been all his own idea. "This is a day he will remember for the rest of his life." his mother told the Press Association.
More flowers were presented to Kate by adoring crowds as she left the RMHC after a tour of one of the flats. Ethan helped Kate unveil a plaque commemorating her visit, with the Duchess telling the dazzled child: "Your name should be on this too."
Hours after Kate's appearance, the fashionable coat she wore to Merseyside was already sold out according to retailers.
Though royal officials described the wrap-around as "burgundy" the Hobbs Unlimited Celeste wool coat was called "chestnut brown" on the website. It is now sold out.
A stunning tone with the royal's glossy locks, the A-line coat was teamed with a black wool polo, also from Hobbs and priced at £59. Fashion expert Gemma Cartwright, of OSOYOU.com, said:
"Everything she wears is pitch-perfect on these occasions, classic and appropriate, but also showing her interest in fashion, and knowledge of what works for her body."