Pregnant Kate Middleton displays her baby bump in London

Pregnant Kate Middleton displays her baby bump in London



The Duchess of Cambridge shared an emotional embrace with a midwife who helped deliver Princess Charlotte as they were reunited in London today.



Kate, who is currently expecting her third child, spotted Professor Jacqueline Dunkley-Bent among a crowd of guests during a visit to the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) in Marylebone.



The Duchess, who is due in April, seemed delighted and hugged the midwife as they exchanged a few brief words on Tuesday afternoon - before meeting young patients at nearby St Thomas' Hospital.



Professor Dunkley-Bent is understood to have assisted with the delivery of one of Kate's children, and was photographed in uniform outside St Mary's Hospital in Paddington following the birth of Princess Charlotte on 2 May 2015.



In a statement, Prof Dunkley-Bent, head of maternity, children & young people at NHS England, said: 'It was a surprise and an absolute pleasure to be reunited with Kate again today.



'Supporting families at the birth of their baby - including future kings and queens - is hugely rewarding and we're very grateful to have the Duchess of Cambridge's support for the nursing profession.'



As she left, Kate thanked RCOG president Lesley Regan and added: 'It was so great to see Jacqui as well.'



Professor Regan also appeared to let slip that Kate would be giving birth to her third child at St. Mary's Hospital - as she did with George, four, and Charlotte, two - during a speech this morning.



Kensington Palace declined to comment when contacted by MailOnline.



Kate, wearing a two-piece blue Jenny Packham dress and coat, met trainees and professionals during her visit to RCOG, which works to improve healthcare for women.



It was announced today that Kate has become patron of RCOG and the Nursing Now campaign, a global initiative to raise the status and profile of nurses.



She watched with interest as trainees demonstrated how they would perform keyhole surgery and stitch up skin following a caesarean and congratulated those nearing the end of the training.



As she was shown around, Kate paused to observe a painting of the Queen opening the building in 1960.



Presenting Kate with a certificate to mark her patronage, Professor Regan said: 'On behalf of everyone here present, I would like to extend our very best wishes for the birth of your third child.





'I'm confident that you will receive excellent care from the wonderful team at my own hospital, as indeed you received for the births of Prince George and Princess Charlotte.



'Thank you once again for visiting the college today, becoming our patron and for showing such passionate interest in our work.



'We look forward to a very long and fruitful relationship with you and your family.'



The 36-year-old royal's visit today came just hours after Kensington Palace announced the Duchess had become RCOG's new patron.



Kate paired her bespoke coat with a pair of suede Jimmy Choo pumps, a £8,400 Tanzanite pendant and matching earrings from G. Collins & Sons, and a Stuart Weitzman clutch as she touched down in Marylebone on Tuesday.





The Duchess learned about the college's global health programmes this morning, designed to reduce maternal and newborn mortality worldwide, and also attended a discussion on tackling the stigma around women's health - in particular, maternal mental health, a subject on which she has spoken extensively in the past. 



And her vibrant blue ensemble has caused bookies to rate it an equal chance that Kate's outfit is a nod to her third child - despite odds previously being in favour of her having a girl.



Still visible on Kate's right hand was a henna tattoo she got during a visit to Sunderland's new Northern Spire bridge six days ago, which she had evidently had trouble scrubbing off.



During today's visit, the Duchess heard about the RCOG's education and training programmes for doctors wishing to specialise in this field, and how practical examinations fit into the training process.





She then learned how the college's workshops and continued training support trainee doctors to develop safe surgical techniques and essential clinical skills in obstetrics and gynaecology.



The Duchess also learned more about the work carried out by the RCOG's Centre for Women's Global Health, which supports communities across the world with women's maternal and gynaecological health, and aims to reduce maternal and newborn fatalities.



Kate is particularly interesting in hearing about the Leading Safe Choices programme, which operates in South Africa and Tanzania, according to Kensington Palace.



Her visit today kicked off with a discussion focused on exploring how the stigma which surrounds women's health, and in particular maternal mental health, can be challenged.