Kate Middleton visits Sunderland & receives a tattoo

While tattoos are not exactly de rigueur among the royals it seems that the Duchess of Cambridge is ready to embrace body art - at least the temporary kind.

Pregnant Kate, 36, had a henna tattoo painted on her wrist during a visit to a new community project during a day of engagements in Sunderland on Wednesday.  

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge kick-started their flying visit with a visit to The Fire Station which has recently been converted into a music and arts hub. 

They were treated to colourful performances of music, dance and theatre from local children and young people, and finished by officially opening The Fire Station. 

Chatting to a group from Young Asian Voices at the Fire Station Arts Centre, Kate asked if one of the girls would draw a henna design on her hand.

The duchess seemed delighted when Shajida Begum, 18, drew a black flower with a swirl.

Miss Begum said: 'I said 'Would you like a design?' and she was like 'Yes, if you don't mind'.

'She was saying that it was really pretty.

'I was just telling her how it works. I was telling her when she can wash it off - I said 'when it becomes flakey'.'

Kate also asked the girls for a pack of bindis, which she said she wanted for her daughter Charlotte.  

The Duchess could be seen wearing a printed woven dress from maternity brand - Seraphine. The brand has been with Kate throughout her three pregnancies and this latest dress costing £159 is currently out of stock on the brand's website.  

Daily Mail.