Kate Middleton looked serene and relaxed in an official new portrait marking her participation in an initiative for the Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood. <\/p>\n
In the outdoor image \u2014 taken by photographer Josh Shinner on Thursday \u2014 the Princess of Wales, 44, wore a colorful patterned sweater with a floral collar and cuffs, layering the look with an olive green coat.<\/p>\n
She wore simple dangling earrings and styled her long, brunette hair in soft curls. Her massive sapphire ring from Prince William \u2014 which previously belonged to the late Princess Diana \u2014 was visible in the portrait. <\/p>\n
Kate Middleton was seen in a new portrait announcing an upcoming project with the Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood. Josh Shinner \/ Kensington Palace<\/p>\n
She wore a patterned sweater and jacket for the photos, snapped by Josh Shinner on Thursday. Josh Shinner \/ Kensington Palace<\/p>\n
In a video announcing the upcoming project<\/a> \u2014 which, according to the caption, examines \u201chow nature can support the healthy development of babies and young children\u201d \u2014 Middleton noted \u201cjust how important nature is for our physical and psychological wellbeing.\u201d<\/p>\n The mother of three<\/a> added that \u201cNature is such an extraordinary environment for us all and in this tech-driven, digital age, spending time outdoors has never been more important.\u201d<\/p>\n She concluded, \u201cMy hope is through this practical nature-based research, we can build supportive environments that make nature more accessible, benefitting babies, young children, and their families across the UK.\u201d<\/p>\n The announcement came a day after Prince Harry and Meghan Markle made their first official public appearance after moving back to the UK, as seen above. Samir Hussein\/WireImage<\/p>\n The Duke and Duchess of Sussex chatted with bystanders in Nottingham. Shutterstock<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\tWant more celebrity and pop culture news?\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tStart your day with Page Six Daily.\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\tThanks for signing up!\n\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n The program is set to launch next year. <\/p>\n The portrait\u2019s release comes a day after Prince Harry, 42, and Meghan Markle, 45, made their return to UK public life with their first official joint appearance<\/a> in the country since moving back in August<\/a>. <\/p>\n The couple was snapped stepping out in Nottingham on Thursday morning, with the As Ever founder declaring to a bystander that \u201cit\u2019s great to be back.\u201d<\/p>\n Markle received a balloon and a yellow rose bouquet while chatting with bystanders during the outing, which took place in the same city the Duke and Duchess of Sussex\u00a0announced their engagement<\/a> back in 2017. <\/p>\n They left their Southern California home in August to return to Prince Harry\u2019s homeland. Samir Hussein\/WireImage<\/p>\n Prince William, seen above with Middleton earlier this month, and Prince Harry have been engaged in an alleged feud for years. ZUMAPRESS.com<\/p>\n Authorities were reportedly forced to intervene <\/a>in the sighting after crowds mobbed the couple\u2019s Range Rover and blocked them as they attempted to make an exit. <\/p>\n Prince William, 44, and his younger brother have been embroiled in a longtime feud<\/a> \u2014 though sources told Page Six in August that Prince Harry and Markle made the unexpected move<\/a> in part to enable their children, Prince Archie, 7, and Princess Lilibet, 5, to build relationships with Harry\u2019s family. <\/p>\n The Duke and Duchess of Sussex famously left the UK<\/a> back in 2020 for a life in Southern California. <\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t