Prince William and Kate Middleton visit lifeboat station for first joint Royal engagement

Prince William and Kate Middleton visit lifeboat station for first joint Royal engagement - Prince William and Kate Middleton visited an RNLI lifeboat station in their first official public appearance together today.

Kate poured champagne on the bow of a new inflatable vessel at a service of dedication in Trearddur Bay in Anglesey, North Wales.

The Prince paid tribute to rescuers working in Christchurch, New Zealand to clear up following the powerful earthquake in an address to a 2,000-strong crowd.

Royal visit: Couple arrive at base at Anglesey this afternoon

The search and rescue helicopter pilot thanked the volunteer search and rescue teams for their continued life-saving work.

As the couple took their place on the podium as they arrived they exchanged glances and smiled at each other before singing both the English and Welsh national anthems.

Onlookers said Kate appeared to have learn't all the words of the Welsh anthem.

Miss Middleton was wearing a Philip Treacey headpiece with a khaki-coloured military-style coat with brown trimmings.

Crowds of people had turned up early at the pretty dockside, braving blustery winds and grey skies, to ensure they had a prime position to see William and Miss Middleton, who will marry at Westminster Abbey on April 29.

After Prince William's address the couple met and greeted members of the public as she was eased into life as a member of the Royal family.

Huw Morgan Daniel, Lord Lieutenant for Gwynedd, received the pair and presented Mrs Huw Morgan Daniel, chairman of the Isle of Anglesey County Council Selwyn Williams and Judge Graham Hume Jones, president of Holyhead and Trearddur Bay Lifeboat Station to them.

Before the event, Lisa Taylor, 42, from Valley, said: 'I think it's fantastic. The work the RNLI do around here is vital. To have such high-profile guests is great for them.

'It's going to be wonderful to see William and Kate. Really exciting.'

Jean and Keith Critchley took their three-year-old grandson, Samuel, to the event.

The couple, who have a holiday home on Anglesey, said it would be good for the area.

A palace spokesman said today was the couple's first official engagement where Miss Middleton had been invited as a guest of honour.

Royal launch: Kate Middleton pours champagne on the new life boat

William and Kate will both be based near Anglesey for their first few years of married life

He said: 'They (Prince William and Miss Middleton) asked for their first joint engagement to be in Anglesey.

'Then the lifeboat station approached us about the new lifeboat and, given that Prince William is a search and rescue pilot and at some point is very likely to be working with crew, it seemed appropriate.'

Mrs Critchley, 63, from Warrington, Cheshire, said: 'They are a lovely couple. He is a great lad and she is a beautiful girl.'

Mary Shaw, 71, from Trearddur Bay, agreed.

'They are a lovely couple. They will get an excellent reception.'

Claire James, from Chester, was accompanied by her three children - Charlie, 10, Beau, eight, and seven-year-old Sam.

The bottle was not smashed on the front of the vessel as is traditional at boat launches because it is inflatable

Happy couple: The pair arrive at the lifeboat station for their first public appearance

She said: 'I am very excited. My daughter wants to ask if they want a spare bridesmaid - she will step in!'

The couple got engaged last October while on holiday in Kenya.

The 28-year-old Prince proposed with his mother Diana's diamond and sapphire engagement ring.

Almost 2,000 guests have been invited to their wedding. The congregation is expected to feature celebrities, leading politicians, heads of state and royalty from across the world.

Although the names of guests have not been officially released, some of those on the list have confirmed they will be attending.

London Mayor Boris Johnson has received an invitation, as has John Haley, the landlord of the Old Boot Inn, Miss Middleton's favourite country pub close to her family home in Bucklebury, Berkshire.

After the service, the newlyweds will return to Buckingham Palace in a carriage along Parliament Square, Whitehall, Horse Guards Parade and The Mall.

The Queen will host a reception at the palace, followed by a private dinner and dancing in the evening.

The marriage will be marked with an official public holiday across the UK.

William is currently based at RAF Valley, Anglesey, in his role as a full-time RAF search and rescue pilot.

Perfect look: Bride-to-be Kate Middleton was smartly-dressed for the occasion ( dailymail.co.uk )