MUSTERED LADY: Kate, Duchess of Cambridge cuts an animated figure on tour of Kensington

Kate, Duchess of Cambridge cuts an animated figure on tour of Kensington

The Duchess of Cambridge cut an animated figure during visit today

Far cry from the glum Kate who was seen shopping in London last week

Duchess showed full range of expressions, from smiles to bashfulness

Also revealed that baby number two is now kicking her constantly

Said that she and Prince William do not yet know the sex of second child

She’s famous for her broad smile and sparkling white teeth but an animated Duchess of Cambridge proved that she’s not one to stand around and grin when there’s talking to be done.

During this morning’s tour of Kensington, the Duchess showed off a full range of expressions, from big smiles to bashful glances.

Some of the more pained looks could have been the result of a particularly large kick from the fourth in line to the throne, who, said Kate, is now moving around constantly.

Kate, Duchess of Cambridge cuts an animated figure on tour of Kensington

Ouch! The Duchess of Cambridge grimaces as she reveals baby number two is kicking her

‘It’s moving all the time,’ said the Duchess, who was chatting to 17-year-old Martina McDonagh at the time. ‘I can feel it kicking now.’

The Duchess, who is six months pregnant, is due to give birth to her second child at the end of April but admitted that she and Prince William still don’t know the sex of their unborn child.

Today’s animated pictures of the Duchess are in stark contrast to those taken last Monday, which showed a tired-looking Kate shopping in London.

In those, the 33-year-old looked worn out by the rigours of pregnancy although that was partly the result, said insiders, of her reining in her beauty regime in order to keep her baby healthy.

Presents for George: The Duchess is all smiles as she’s handed some gifts for her 18-month-old son

Animated: The Duchess chats to staff at the Kensington Leisure Centre

Tell me more: The Duchess asks for an explanation

Animated: The Duchess is in a discursive mood as she chats to staff at the Kensington Leisure Centre

Interesting: She also met people who had been helped by the charity

Enjoying a chat: The Duchess was on animated form as she chatted to volunteers at Family Friends

Duchess Delighted: Kate beamed as she arrived at Kensington Aldridge Academy to find a cheering crowd

Bashful: She then switched to a bashful smile as she left

On tour: The Duchess flitted between animated smiles (left) and bashful glances (right) while at the school

By Thursday, when Kate was introduced to flamboyant Turner-prize winning artist Grayson Perry during a visit to a Ladbroke Grove primary school, that had all changed with the Duchess back on polished form.

She proved an eager visitor once again on Friday when she followed up her visit to an art studio run by The Art Room charity with a trip to meet foster carers in Islington.

There, an animated Kate chatted happily with foster parents and children, before declaring herself smitten with one adorable six-month-old baby girl.

Today saw a return to royal form with the Duchess, clearly enjoying the burst of health bestowed on pregnant women, joking with schoolchildren and chatting to parents and teachers.

By the time she was introduced to two-year-old Ryan Dixon, who promptly burst into tears at the sight of her during a visit to Family Friends, she was in such a good mood, she cheerfully laughed off the moment and smilingly accepted a posy from his mother instead.