Express. Kate Middleton on top form at Cheltenham races

he Duchess looked the picture of health and she and Prince William led a party of Royals to watch the races at Cheltenham.

Kate, who is five months pregnant, hid her expanding waistline under a dusky pink Joseph coat.

It was accessorised with a £240 dark chocolate brown Betty Boop hat from Lock & Co which she wore to a wedding in Switzerland earlier this month.

The Duchess has been feeling much better since spending three days in hospital with acute morning sickness in the early part of her pregnancy. She has had regular meetings with staff and charity officials at St James’s Palace and has also been visiting potential new charities to support.

She and William, 30, spent the afternoon in the Royal Box, surrounded by old friends including television presenter Ben Fogle, nightclub owner Charlie Gilkes, and other old pals of the Prince from Eton and his childhood at Highgrove in Gloucestershire.

Kate, who is a volunteer in the Scout Association, will visit Great Tower Scout Camp in the Lake District next Friday and help look after a group of 24 Cubs from Cumbria and Manchester taking part in a pack activity holiday event.

The Cubs will get a chance to try out tree-climbing, outdoor cooking and fire-lighting under the guidance of Kate and other volunteers. Because of her pregnancy, she is expected to give the tree climbing a miss.