Kate Middleton shows off her pancake-tossing skills as Royal couple bring Belfast to a standstill with surprise visit

By Maysa Rawi

Kate Middleton added another talent to the list as she showed off her pancake-tossing skills today in Belfast.
The future Princess celebrated Shrove Tuesday by mastering the art of the flip, impressing the crowds - and Prince William - with her culinary trick.
The Royal couple are touring the UK ahead of the wedding in April and by the looks of things, there is little doubt that she is settling into her new role with confidence and ease.

Flipped out: Kate Middleton concentrates on  pancake-tossing as Prince William looks on during their trip to Belfast on Shrove Tuesday

Mastering the art: Kate looked even more relaxed and at ease as she settles into her new role

And for a refreshing change, Kate opted to wear an on-trend £650 Burberry trench coat with skirt detailing, a notable contrast to the more formal attire we have seen over the last two weeks - swapping her flat boots for high-heel courts.
Perhaps Kate, 29, has been taking note of the fashion critics who have called for the future Princess to adopt an edgier, younger look.
There have already been reports that Kate has decided to have her wedding dress designed by Alexander McQueen's avant-garde protegee Sarah Burton - a welcome choice in the fashion world.

Royal Welcome: The Prince and his bride-to-be were all smiles as they walked around the city - but there was also a strong security presence

Greetings: The couple met with Lord Mayor Pat Convery and Dame Mary Peters  a former Olympic pentathlon athletics champion who is now the Lord Lieutenant of Belfast

And although the rumours have been heavily denied, it seems Kate's slight but bold sartorial adjustment today is a statement that she intends to make conscious fashion decisions when it comes to her wardrobe.
Either way, she looked stunning in the neutral piece, teamed with opaque tights and sapphire engagement ring as the couple brought the centre of Belfast to a standstill.
A small crowd gathered in the bright sunshine inside the grounds of City Hall in the hope of a walkabout after police sealed off streets and diverted traffic as part of a huge security operation for the couple's first visit to Northern Ireland.

Sartorial hit: Kate looked stylish and on-trend in a £650 belted Burberry trench coat with skirt detailing

Hair malfunction: The bride-to-be might be considering an up-do for her big day after windy days out in Belfast today and Wales last week

They arrived at the George Best City Airport at Sydenham, east Belfast.
The couple were met by Lord Mayor Pat Convery and Dame Mary Peters, a former Olympic pentathlon athletics champion who is now the Lord Lieutenant of Belfast.

It was the first in a series of engagements planned for the couple, who are to marry at Westminster Abbey on April 29.

People person: The future Princess hugs a newborn, and shows off her sapphire engagement ring

Fans: The crowds gathering in the city centre after word leaked out because of the heavy security presence

Youth worker: Kate joked with onlookers who had lined the streets to catch a glimpse of her

The couple accepted a framed photograph of City Hall and a book on the building's architectural history.
They arrived in an eight-car cavalcade, with William and Miss Middleton in the second.
They paused for a time on the steps of the front door, acknowledging the cheering crowd, some of whom waved miniature Union Flags.

The look of love: Kate shoots an admiring glance at her future husband

Well deserved break: The Prince and his bride-to-be help themselves to a glass of water

Heavily-armed police patrolled adjoining and nearby streets, and at one stage used steel rods to check litter bins close to the City Hall gates and grounds.
One officer using binoculars kept watch from the rooftop of the Robinson & Cleaver building directly opposite, and at least two others, also using binoculars, positioned themselves on the top of City Hall, just few away from the Union Flag which fluttered in a gentle breeze.

Surprise: Senior officials at the Northern Ireland Office who were involved in organising the trip did not confirm William and Kate even planned to make the visit until their aircraft landed in east Belfast

Good sports: The couple watched a play, talked to members of the Rainbow Factory at the Youth Action Northern Ireland Centre in Belfast and helped drive a wooden fence post into the ground at Greenmount Agriculture College in Co. Antrim

Senior officials at the Northern Ireland Office who were heavily involved with Buckingham Palace in organising the trip did not confirm William and Kate even planned to make the visit until their aircraft landed in east Belfast.
But by the time the entourage pulled up in front of City Hall, word had already leaked out because of the heavy security presence.