5:56PM, Wed Oct 10, 2012

Video: Duchess Of Cambridge Meets Cheering Crowds On Solo Tour of Tyneside

By Jenny Wotherspoon and Andy Hughes Location: Tyne and Wear

Video: Duchess of Cambridge a hit with Tyneside fans

The Duchess of Cambridge was greeted with cheers by the people of Newcastle as she began a string of engagements in the city without the Duke.

Kate, dressed in a burgundy coat, by an unnamed designer, looked relaxed and poised as she stepped from a chauffeur driven car and was greeted by the Lord Mayor of Newcastle, Cllr Jackie Slesenger.

And it was a day ten-year-old Terry Campbell will never forget. He stretched out his arms and the Duchess wrapped her arms around him as he leant over railings to embrace her.

He said after: "I really like Kate Middleton, she is really nice, I am so happy to have had a hug from her. She didn't say anything to me she just gave me a very big hug."

The royal visit is Kate’s first official trip to the North East and has turned into a solo event for the Duchess as the Duke was forced to cancel his appearance to attend the funeral of his former nanny.

Olga Powell cared for William and Prince Harry when they were young boys including the difficult period when their parents' marriage was breaking up in the early 1990s.

The former royal nanny, who was in her 80s and lived in Broxbourne, Hertfordshire, died last month after a heart attack. She had worked for the Prince and Princess of Wales from the 1980s until the early 1990s.

A St James's Palace spokesman said: "Given the significant role that Mrs Powell played in the Princes' lives, the Duke wished to pay his respects in person."

Speaking ahead of the visit, the Lord Mayor said: "This is indeed an honour for the whole city and it will give us an opportunity to showcase our talents in education, sport and science as well as our international work."

VIDEO: Meeting The Duchess A "Dream Come True" For People On Tyneside

The Duchess' first engagement was at Newcastle Civic Centre where a range of people - from those who contributed to making the Olympic Games a success in Newcastle to volunteers who help make the city centre a more welcoming place for people and businesses - were waiting to meet her.

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