Kate masters the fine art of 'diplomatic dressing' in Denmark

The Duchess of Cambridge has admitted meeting babies makes her feel "very broody".

Kate made the comments during the first of her two-day visit to Denmark, where she is there building on her early years knowledge and to boost ties between the two countries.

And the duchess began by paying visual homage to her hosts with an outfit in the colours of the Danish flag, red and white.

READ MORE: All the photos from Kate's visit to Denmark so far

During a visit to the Lego Foundation to learn about the importance of play, Kate rode down a giant slide in high heels and laughed upon landing: "In the spirit of where I am, I had to do it".

While at the Play Lab Kate confessed her three children - Prince George, eight, Princess Charlotte, six, and Prince Louis, three - were jealous she was visiting the home of Lego.

"My children are very jealous they weren't coming to see the Lego Foundation. They were like, 'hang on, there's Lego and we're not coming?'" the duchess said.

Earlier Kate had met with two eight-month-old baby boys and their parents at Børnemuseet, the Children's Museum in Frederiksberg.

While there she admitted seeing young babies "makes me very broody".

"William always worries about me meeting under one-year-olds. I come home saying 'let's have another one'," the duchess said.

Kate is in Denmark for the Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood, which she launched in June last year. Tomorrow she will meet with Queen Margrethe and Crown Princess Mary at Amalienborg before visiting a women's crisis centre with Mary.

READ MORE: All the times Crown Princess Mary and the Duchess of Cambridge have dressed the same

Her relaxed but business-like wardrobe for the short visit allowed Kate to mingle with the youngsters she came into contact with.

The duchess chose a red Zara blazer and a white frilled top by Me+EM, accessorising with pearl jewellery.

The red and white were nods to the Danish flag, the latest example of Kate using fashion as a diplomatic tool, which has become a key part of the duchess's tour dressing strategy.

From a shalwar kameez in Pakistan, a maple leaf brooch in Canada to tartan in Scotland, Kate knows how to wield the so-called "soft diplomacy" power of the monarchy.

The colours

One of the best ways Kate pays tribute to the country she is visiting is by wearing colours linked to the host nation, such as the red and white seen in Denmark overnight.

In May last year, Kate wore deep blue in Scotland, the same shade on its flag. Days later, she wore a scarf made from Strathearn Tartan. In Scotland, Kate and Prince William are styled as the Earl and Countess of Stathearn.

READ MORE: Kate's Royal Train tour wardrobe sends a key message in a time when many are struggling

During her visit to Dublin in March, 2020, Kate arrived in head-to-toe green in tribute to Ireland's reputation as the Emerald Isle.

Kate chose a bespoke Catherine Walker coat in a deep green and a stunning emerald colour silk dress by Alessandra Rich.

For the Cambridge family's visit to Germany in 2017, they arrived wearing shades of cornflower blue in tribute to the country's official flower.

A dress worn by Kate in Berlin by local designer Markus Lupfer featured an eagle print, Germany's national bird.

In October 2019, the Duke and Duchess embarked on a visit to Pakistan where the Duchess wore green and white – the colours of the Pakistani flag – several times during the tour.

Local designers

On her arrival in Islamabad at the start of the Pakistan visit, Kate chose a custom-made outfit by British designer Catherine Walker.

She later wore a white shalwar kameez by Pakistani high street brand Gul Ahmed - featuring embroidered jasmine, the national flower of Pakistan - followed by two other shalwar kameezes in green and blue by Pakistani designer Maheen Khan.

READ MORE: How the modern royals are redefining the princess perception through their tour wardrobes

In Paris in 2017, the duchess wore Chanel.

And she chose a dress by Indian-born, New York-based designer Naeem Khan for her visit to the Taj Mahal in 2016 in India.

While in Scotland, Kate wore new pink jumper by Scottish brand Campbell's of Beauly, which holds a royal warrant. The garment was also made in North East Scotland.

During Kate and William's first visit to Australia in 2014, the duchess used the opportunity to showcase a brand beloved by celebrities and other royal women.

Kate chose a white Zimmermann frock to visit Manly Beach and the Sydney Royal Easter Show.

READ MORE: Princess Anne confirmed to visit Sydney in April for Easter Show

"The dress was suitable for the occasion, she looked elegant but it was still modern and youthful," designer Nicky Zimmermann said.

Meaningful jewels

Kate's accessories and jewels are often symbolic and send subtle messages.

In 2017, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visited Poland where Kate had worn all-white with ruby-red jewellery, mirroring the colours of its flag.

While in Pakistan, Kate chose a pair of $20 earrings from local brand Zeen, and in Northern Ireland in 2016 duchess wore a a gold and emerald Cartier three-leaf shamrock that had belonged to the Queen Mother.

And for her visit to Canada in 2011 and 2016, Kate borrowed the Queen's diamond maple leaf brooch.