The Duchess of Cambridge Visits Angela Marmont Biodiversity Centre

The Duchess of Cambridge made an embargoed visit to her patronage, the Natural History Museum, this morning to view the Angela Marmont Centre for UK Biodiversity and hear how it is championing and helping to protect UK wildlife.

Kensington Palace said: "The Duchess is a strong advocate for the positive impact that nature and the outdoors can have on our physical and mental wellbeing, and in particular for childhood development. Alongside its national programme of activity, the Natural History Museum aims to inspire its millions of visitors to act for nature. The museum is forging partnerships across the UK to empower school children, families and local communities to help protect the wildlife in urban areas."

The Palace added: "The Angela Marmont Centre (AMC) is a unique scientific hub located in the Natural History Museum that is dedicated to the study of the UK’s natural world. It helps public visitors identify their finds, provides vital training in wildlife identification, and leads research and citizen science projects that are helping to transform our understanding of over 80,000 species of wildlife known to exist in the UK today. With populations of many UK species declining, and a significant proportion threatened with local extinction, the AMC brings together a host of individuals and organisations all dedicated to building understanding of the UK’s wildlife, so that it can be better protected for future generations."

The centre operates a drop in centre where you can get assistance identifying specimens.

Access to the UK biodiversity reference collections of specimens and the London Natural History Society's library is also available.

Keen naturalists are encouraged to make use of the visitor space which includes microscopes and photo-stacking equipment.

Details of cranefly Tipula selene drawn by artist Dawn Painter using the centre's equipment.

Kate spent time with Museum Director Sir Michael Dixon as well as Head of the Angela Marmont Centre Dr John Tweddle and Head of Learning and Audiences Beth Stone who are jointly leading the charge to revolutionise the study of wildlife.

The Duchess saw DNA sequencing in action and a selection of plant and insect specimens from the collection.

A closer look at the butterflies Kate saw.

A representative from the Natural History Museum revealed attracting young people is top of the agenda. "HRH heard how the Museum is aiming to inspire the more than five million visitors it welcomes each year alongside its national programme of activity to empower people to act for nature. With the likelihood of a child visiting green spaces having halved in a generation, it has never been more important to excite young people about wildlife. The Museum is responding to this challenge by forging partnerships across the UK to empower school children, families and local communities to help protect the wildlife in urban areas."

A video from the engagement.

The Duchess showcased autumnal style in a berry and khaki look featuring a mix of high street pieces and repeats from her closet. I love burgundy, berry and warm red tones at this time of year. Kate's wardrobe has officially shifted gear for the season. The bag, shoes and jumper are a great combination.

Kate wore the £39 Warehouse Pointelle High Neck Jumper (with many thanks to HeavenQRF). The long sleeve sweater features a scalloped high neck and cuffs and a pointelle texture at the yoke. It's available in very limited sizing at John Lewis and Warehouse.

The Duchess teamed the jumper with a pair of £89 Jigsaw Culottes. Described as: "Cut from a lightweight fabric that forms a relaxed wide-leg, details include an elasticated waist, front slant pockets and rushing from the waistband to the hem." They are available at John Lewis and Jigsaw.

The Duchess wore her Tod's burgundy fringed pumps.

Kate carried her Chanel bag with enamel handle.

 And her Asprey Oak Leaf earrings.

In other news, the Court Circular records William and Kate met with Bill Gates yesterday. ITV News reports: "Mr Gates was there in his capacity as co-chairman and trustee of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The private behind-the-scenes meeting was not announced beforehand, but was recorded in the Court Circular – the daily record of royal engagements. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is the largest private foundation in the world. Mr Gates is estimated to have given away 35.8 billion dollars (£29.3 billion) to charity."

A reminder William and Kate's Pakistan tour kicks off on Monday. Just a few days to go...