
Andrew Milligan/WPA-Pool
Dear Diary,
It’s only February and already I regret not getting a Smythson.
Why on earth did I listen to James and get the gauche Hermes? I should have shopped local. Kept it British. Let George do the selecting instead.
What am I writing about? Right, the trip to Edinburgh for Place2Be and tennis fun with Andy’s mum.
Tash had my Sportmax coat neatly kept since I wore it on Christmas Day, so I paired that with a knit and a lovely skirt by Le Kilt.
Going north of the border is a bit of a buzz kill because of the title downgrade. No wonder Sophie cozies up to granny so often. “Countess” gets you nowhere, and it must be a dreadful cross to bear all the time.
Back to the children. They were a delight, and a few even curtsied and called me “Duchess.”
I didn’t correct them.
As luck would have it, my engagement took place at St. Catherine’s Primary School. The students got me to take part in a singalong of “It’s Good to See You Here,” which was a gas, and I was quite proud of the work the charity was doing there.
Paul Hunter, the school’s headmaster, told the reporters that “kids can’t be educationally literate without first being emotionally literate,” a nod to the impact Place2Be has had on the mental wellness of Scotland’s whipper snappers.
The photo below pleased me. Making a note to have William get it framed. Perhaps the Royal Collection has an 18th century frame not in use.
After that was done, I popped over to Craigmount High School, where Judy Murray was teaching a Tennis on the Road program, aimed at helping coaches grow the game at the grassroots level.
Grassroots level? More like grassHOOTS! I spun rackets, showed off how great my core is with sit-ups and ran around like a spring chicken.
.@TennisOnTheRoad skills workshop with @judmoo @CraigmountPE #Edinburgh #Tennis pic.twitter.com/p3p95Zfrkz
— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) February 24, 2016
I may or may not have told this youth that she was terrible at spinning a racket.

Andrew Milligan/WPA-Pool
The Nike half zip I wore was quite comfortable, and perfect for a round at the Queen’s Club. I wasn’t sure about the Monreal pants at first, but I think they sold out after the press photos were released. So, there you have it.
How about my torso, right? Not bad after two kids.
Since I’m kinda/sorta/massively great at tennis, I felt as though I was coaching alongside Judy (we’re on a first name basis now).
Simon Perry, that lovely chap who reports for the American Magazine that always selects the most flattering photos me, posted a video that – as luck would have it – my diary is programmed to share (perhaps I will keep the Hermes).
Simon knows this because I’ve had my people rib him, but sadly I am not Princess Kate.
I know this because Bea and Eug cornered me a few years back to explain that I was a blood royal and therefore not allowed to put “Princess” before my name.
Horrible women.
Lovely video, Simon!
Watch: Princess Kate make a dash in mini-relay @TennisOnTheRoad workshop pic.twitter.com/v5UM8dSfVI
— Simon Perry (@SPerryPeoplemag) February 24, 2016
Alright. Time to have someone pick outfits for India and Bhutan while I sit on a divan and give a Yes or No.
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