Kate Middleton shows off her new tattoo

While tattoos are not exactly de rigueur among the royals it seems that the Duchess of Cambridge is ready to embrace body art - at least the temporary kind.

Pregnant Kate, 36, had a henna tattoo painted on her wrist during a visit to a new community project which was part of a day of engagements in Sunderland, North East England, on Wednesday.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge kick-started their quick trip with a visit to The Fire Station which has recently been converted into a music and arts hub.

They were treated to colourful performances of music, dance and theatre from local children and young people, and finished by officially opening The Fire Station.

Chatting to a group from Young Asian Voices at the Fire Station Arts Centre, Kate asked if one of the girls would draw a henna design on her hand.

The duchess seemed delighted when Shajida Begum, 18, drew a black flower with a swirl.

Miss Begum said: 'I said 'Would you like a design?' and she was like 'Yes, if you don't mind'.

'She was saying that it was really pretty.

'I was just telling her how it works. I was telling her when she can wash it off - I said 'when it becomes flakey'.'

This article was first published on dailymail.co.uk and is republished here with permission.