Her baby bump visible under a short light green Mulberry coat, the Duchess met youngsters who had received gallantry awards after being nominated for their bravery and heroism in their everyday lives.
Despite being around six months pregnant, the royal is increasing her charitable workload and is now patron of seven organisations as well as being a volunteer with the Scout Association.
Since Kate, 31, joined the Scouts last year, more than 2,800 new adult volunteers have joined up – the second biggest rise since 1986.
Chief Scout, adventurer and TV star Bear Grylls said: “The Duchess is an incredible role model and she helps us show that Scouting’s not just for boys.
“She’s also such a generous volunteer and everyone is so excited to have her in the Scouting family. Many people have followed her lead and are getting involved and enjoying the adventure.”
Most of the youngsters at the National Review of Queen’s Scouts were there to receive Queen’s Scouts awards – the highest a scout can gain – for outstanding achievements.
Among those who received awards for their bravery was 17-year-old Lee Craven, from Hook, Hampshire.
On one of the coldest days of last year, he helped drag a friend from an icy canal after he fell in in the dark.
Lee said: “I hooked my feet under a tree stump and tried to reach for his hand.
“It was pitch black but I managed to pull him to the side to safety. It was quite easy because of the adrenalin.”
Daniel Bean, 16, from the Isle of Wight, was given an award for going to the aid of a suicidal woman who had slit her wrists last May.
Daniel, who joined the Beavers aged six, was walking along a cliff top when he spotted the woman.
He said: “I had my phone on me and luckily I had a signal, so I called an ambulance and they and the police came down.”
The annual celebration at Windsor Castle dates back 80 years. The Queen attended the event last year but was celebrating her 87th birthday privately.
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– Appearances & Events > 2013 > Apr. 21 – Scouts At Windsor Castle
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