Kate Middleton is a vision in poppy-print L.K. Bennett dress on Luton visit with Prince William

The Duke of Cambridge delivered a speech in Dusseldorf, Germany, yesterday (23 August) during celebrations marking the 70<sup>th anniversary of the North Rhine-Westphalia state, but was back to work in Britain this morning alongside wife, Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge.

Prince William appeared lively despite a late-night flight back to the UK as he carried out a public engagement in Luton, Bedfordshire. He looked stylish in smart casual attire comprising a beige check blazer, navy chinos, a tie and brown brogues.

The royal couple started their day in Bute Mills to witness the work of youth charity Youthscape before meeting other local mental health and youth organisations.

These included CHUMS, the OM Group, Our Minds Matter (OMM) and Luton Council of Faiths and Grassroots who work together to raise awareness for one of His Royal Highess' greatest passions – the issue of mental health.

The Duke and Duchess have spent nearly a month away from the public eye, and returned to their royal duties looking refreshed for a busy day of engagements in Bedfordshire.

Kate Middleton, 34, looked sun-kissed after a recent holiday in France – arriving at the Youthscape Centre in Luton wearing a recycled high street dress by L.K. Bennett. The blue and white Lasa Poppy Print Dress originally retailed at £245.

She previously wore the design on the couple's tour of Australia and New Zealand in 2014 while making an engagement in Brisbane. This marks the first time the Duchess has been seen publicly since her official visit to Portsmouth with William on 24 July.

The form-fitting design showcased her lithe physique and was a perfect choice for the gloriously sunny temperatures with its light colours and floral design.

The mother-of-two accessorised the summery piece with a nude pair of heels and a matching clutch – also by the high-street label. She completed the elegant look with sapphire blue earrings encrusted with diamonds, and a healthy bounce to her hair after a voluminous blow dry.

The royal couple – who have two children, Prince George and Princess Charlotte – are spending the day visit a youth project and talking to mental health groups. Later on, they will visit Keech Hospice Care to meet and talk with families, friends and volunteers and unveil a plaque marking 25 years of the adult hospice.

William and Kate will also visit motor pump designer and manufacturer Hayward Tyler in Luton to present them with The Queen's Award for Enterprise (International Trade) and open their newly built centre of excellence.

The public engagement comes after a busy few days for William, 34, who met Chancellor Angela Merkel in Germany yesterday during the celebrations of the NRW. He visited the fashionable west German city for a series of events honouring the role of the British armed forces since the Second World War and attended a ceremony at the city's Tonhalle with the Chancellor before they both made speeches.

The gala marked 70 years, to the day, of the state, which was created on 23 August 1946 by the British Military Government and known as Operation Marriage. A large British military presence has remained in the region – known as British Forces Germany – and played a vital role during the Cold War. Read the original report here.