Kate's Big Push

Philip still convalescing but royals have fun

Kate Middleton recycled a royal blue Missoni dress with frayed edges that she last wore in public on a trip to Fortnum and Mason with the Queen and Camilla on 1 March while William was still in the Falklands.

Britain's Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge (L) laughs as Britain's Queen Elizabeth II gestures as they watch part of a children's sports event on their visit to Vernon Park in Nottingham, central England, on June 13, 2012. The Queen, accompanied by Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge attended several engagements during a visit to the city as the Queen continued her diamond jubilee tour without the Duke of Edinburgh who was convalescing following a bladder infection. AFP PHOTO / POOL / PHIL NOBLE (Photo credit should read PHIL NOBLE/AFP/GettyImages) — A rare expression of bemusement on the face of Queen Elizabeth II as they watch part of a children's sports event on their visit to Vernon Park in Nottingham (PHIL NOBLE)

The royal party appeared in good spirits, despite the fact that, as William said in his speech, Philip "sadly couldn't be with us today," as he is still recuperating from a bladder infection which landed him in hospital for five days in the midst of the Jubilee celebrations.

NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND - JUNE 13: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge visits Vernon Park during a Diamond Jubilee visit to Nottingham on June 13, 2012 in Nottingham, England. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images) — Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge (Chris Jackson/GettyImages)

The Duchess of Cambridge paired her coat with a navy cocktail hat by Rachel Trevor Morgan, navy court shoes and a quilted black clutch bag.

Prince William and Kate, who had travelled to Nottingham by car, welcomed the monarch off the Royal Train at the town's railway station.

NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND - JUNE 13: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge smiles as she greets the crowds outside Nottingham Town Hall during her visit to the East Midlands on June 13, 2012 in Nottingham, England. The Queen was accompanied by Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, during her official visit to the East Midlands. Prince William will later make his official tribute to the Queen for the Jubilee. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images) — Christopher Furlong/GettyImages

A handful of passengers were gathered on the opposite side of the tracks and William called over to them, "Are you waiting for the same train we are?"

Up to 5,000 people packed into the city centre square, waving Union flags, many of whom had waited in the cold since 5am.

Kate, Duchess of Cambridge arrives with Britain's Queen Elizabeth II, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, both unseen, at a Fortnum and Mason department store in central London, Thursday, March, 1, 2012. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant) — Kate in the same dress back in March, at Fortnum's in London (Alastair Grant / AP Photo)

Britain's Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge (L) smiles as her husband Prince William (R) holds a foam javelin as they join in with a children's sports event during a visit to Vernon Park in Nottingham, central England, on June 13, 2012. The Queen, accompanied by Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge attended several engagements during a visit to the city as the Queen continued her diamond jubilee tour without the Duke of Edinburgh who was convalescing following a bladder infection. AFP PHOTO / POOL / PHIL NOBLE (Photo credit should read PHIL NOBLE/AFP/GettyImages) — Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge smiles as her husband Prince William holds a foam javelin as they join in with a children's sports event during a visit to Vernon Park in Nottingham (PHIL NOBLE/AFP/GettyImages)

It is the first official "away day" engagement the Duke and Duchess have attended with the Queen as a couple.

Britain's Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge throws a foam javelin as she joins in with a children's sports event during a visit to Vernon Park in Nottingham, central England, on June 13, 2012 with Britain's Queen Elizabeth II. The Queen, accompanied by Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge attended several engagements during a visit to the city as the Queen continued her diamond jubilee tour without the Duke of Edinburgh who was convalescing following a bladder infection. AFP PHOTO / POOL / PHIL NOBLE (Photo credit should read PHIL NOBLE/AFP/GettyImages) — Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge throws a foam javelin as she joins in with a children's sports event during a visit to Vernon Park in Nottingham today (PHIL NOBLE/AFP/GettyImages)

Day two of the Queen's East Midlands Diamond Jubilee tour will continue tomorrow with visits to Stevenage and Hatfield. later today, the Queen will travel to Burghley House in Stamford, Lincolnshire, where she will be joined by 10,000 guests at a Diamond Jubilee Picnic.

There was a brief moment of chaos after the crowd broke through barriers to get a better view of the royals.

Later in the day, Prince William started a kids' obstacle race with the Queen and Kate watching intently and laughing, and there were more laughs when Kate and William inspected a foam javelin used by the chioldren.