Her royal dryness: Kate Middleton braves the rain on a trip to Darwen, Lancashire todayLike any bride wanting to look her best, Kate Middleton appears to have shed a few pounds ahead of her big day.
Looking more slimline than ever, the future Royal was joined by Prince William on their last official engagement together before the royal wedding, braving the rain to attend the opening of a school in Darwen, Lancashire.
Kate, holding her own oversized black umbrella, opted for a subtle but notable sartorial transformation.
Joining the ranks of predecessors including Diana and Jackie O, she wore a smart navy blue fitted jacket, matching skirt and high heels - a look that cements her status as style queen.
Gone is the floaty, A-line silhouette she has come to favour and its place a streamlined shape suit.
Her hair was styled half up half down amid recent speculation that this could be the look she chooses on her wedding day.
Miss Middleton has yet to invest in the see-through umbrellas used by the Queen, which allow her to be easily seen.
Getting in shape: Kate has lost weight as last-minute nerves kick in ahead of the big day and is certainly thinner than she was back in 2005Instead Kate carried a very large black one, lifting it higher up so she could be seen by the crowds outside the Darwen Aldridge Community Academy.
The Queen's distinctive Fulton birdcage design umbrellas feature a coloured rim which the company produces in exclusive colours for her so she can match them exactly to her outfit.
Union and St George Cross flags flew outside many shops and pubs in the east Lancashire town of Darwen to greet the couple.
William and Kate arrived at Darwen Aldridge Community Academy on the first leg of their day-long visit to the area as hundreds of well-wishers lined outside in the heavy rainWilliam and Kate arrived at Darwen Aldridge Community Academy on the first leg of their day-long visit to the area as hundreds of well-wishers lined outside in the heavy rain.
They are expected to be met by crowds of thousands on their second and final engagement at nearby Witton Country Park in Blackburn.
William will officially open the academy where he will also launch an award scheme and later observe a sports display in the park with his fiancee
At the academy in the heart of the town, the couple were welcomed by the Mayor of Blackburn with Darwen, Sheila Williams, the chief executive of Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council, Graham Burgess, and Rossendale and Darwen MP Jake Berry.
They were then greeted by the principal of the independent non-fee-paying school, Brendan Loughran, and its sponsor Rod Aldridge, former executive chairman of Capita.
William will officially open the academy where he will also launch an award scheme and later observe a sports display in the park with his fianceeA tour of the academy followed to highlight its focus on entrepreneurial skills which are embedded in its curriculum.
William will launch the SkillForce Prince's Award and give a short address on the scheme and the work of the academy to students, parents, governors and staff.
SkillForce is an education charity which has William as its patron and from summer 2012 it will present the new honour to teenagers who show significant character or make a major contribution to their community.
Hair apparent: Kate's hair was styled half up half down amid recent speculation that this could be the look she chooses on her wedding dayMore than 100 accredited newspaper, TV and radio journalists were covering the academy visit including representatives from the United States, Australia, France, Germany and Norway.
Later, William and Miss Middleton will visit Witton Country Park as part of the Prince's role as patron of the Queen Elizabeth II Fields Challenge.
The initiative aims to protect permanently 2,012 outdoor recreational spaces across the UK and demonstrate the importance of green spaces for sport.
The couple will meet local civic dignitaries, view sports activities on the athletics field and see youngsters taking part in a football skills session.
Anticipation: Crowds line up outside Darwen Community Academy ahead of the couple's visitMiss Middleton will also be invited to start a 100 metres race and meet a group of athletes and coaches.
The couple will also see some young people participating in disabled cycling activities.
Recently the pair have met well-wishers in Anglesey in Wales, visited their former university St Andrews in Scotland and flown to Belfast in Northern Ireland.
The Prince, 28, who is based at RAF Valley, Anglesey, in his role as a full-time RAF Search and Rescue Pilot, and Miss Middleton, 29, will marry on April 29.
Their wedding day will be an official public holiday across the UK.
Little princesses: Two young fans hold Union Jacks of the Royal couplesource:dailymail
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