Will and Kate out in public again, looking calm, happy

Will and Kate stepped out today for their first public engagement together since the end of their successful royal tour last month and the publication of embarrassing topless pictures of her in European publications.

It was to be the start of a week of engagements, including a highly anticipated trip to the north of England, but the Duchess of Cambridge will have to go it alone for one day, after the palace announced today that Prince William will be attending the funeral of his former nanny on Wednesday, according to the Daily Telegraph.

The former Kate Middleton has done several solo engagements since marrying William in April 2011, but never such a high-profile event, involving four different stops and a walkabout. Plus, she and William are still dealing with the legal and psychological fallout of the photo flap, likely to be a continuing court case in France for at least the near future.

Today, however, the couple were together, meeting with recipients of law scholarships in their name and that of other royals, at a reception at the Middle Temple Inn in London (not a temple nor an inn) where law students train.

Both looked happy, and she especially looked radiant in the pictures, dressed in a merlot-colored suit by French brand Paule Ka. It featured a cropped jacket and a flared, tiered skirt, accessorized with black tights and shoes.

On Tuesday, they will meet with members of the England football (soccer) team when they open a sports center in Burton-on-Trent.