Britain's Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton and her husband, Prince William, made their first official public appearance together in the United Kingdom since topless photos of her emerged online and in gossip magazines in Europe last month.
According to ABC News, Middleton, who wore a burgundy, tiered skirt and matching jacket by Paule Ka, and her husband appeared at the Honourable Society of the Middle Temple on Monday. The society is part of the Inns of Court in England and has the right to "call men and women to the bar," or allow them to practice law in England, their website states.
The royal couple took the opportunity to announce a new series of scholarships benefiting law students with financial need or who have overcome adversity while studying, ABC News reported.
The series of scholarships, known as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge Scholarships, will join other scholarships in the names of Queen Elizabeth II, the Queen Mother and Diana, Princess of Wales and Prince William's late mother.
The appearance is the first for the royal couple, who have had to deal with the fallout following the publication of topless photos of the Duchess while she sunbathed during a private vacation. The photos were taken in August while the Duke and Duchess vacationed in a secluded chateau in the south of France and were published while the couple toured South Asia.
French magazine, Closer, was the first to publish the controversial photos and was later followed by an Irish newspaper, an Italian gossip magazine and two Scandinavian magazines. The couple sought legal action against Closer and won an injunction against the magazine.
Despite rumors that the Duchess and Duke were still stressed about the photos, they appeared to be enjoying themselves, ABC News reported.
According to the Daily Mail, the couple has a busy week ahead of them. The Duke and Duchess will meet with England football-that's soccer for Americans-manager Roy Hodgson and the squad at the St. George's Park training facility. The Duchess will also be forced to appear at some events alone, as the Duke will be attending the funeral of his former nanny Olga Powell, the Daily Mail reported.