Clumsy Kate! Duchess of Cambridge gets into a spot of bother as her heel gets STUCK in a metal grate on her way to open a new addiction treatment centre in Essex

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The Duchess of Cambridge found herself in a sticky situation when she got her heel trapped in a grate today.

Kate, who is seven months pregnant with her third child, was nearly stopped in her tracks on arrival at an Action on Addiction treatment centre in Wickford, Essex. 

After being greeted by the Vice Lord Lieutenant of Essex Jonathan Douglas-Hughes - who slipped and fell over when he met her and William in 2016 - Kate quipped that she had done 'the same as you'.

Thankfully she managed to extract her black suede heels without too much fuss. 

Mr Douglas-Hughes said afterwards: 'I reminded her [about the fall]. 'My wife told her that she would ensure I didn't do it again. Then she caught her heel. She said "oh... [I've done] the same as you!"'

It wasn't the first time the Duchess has suffered a footwear malfunction; in March 2013, she nearly tripped while presenting shamrocks to the officers and guardsmen of the Irish Guards during a St. Patrick's Day Parade in Aldershot.

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Oops! As the Duchess shook hands with charity staff and council officials on arrival in Essex today, she appeared to get into a spot of bother when her heel momentarily got caught in a metal grate on the ground

Blue for a boy? The Duchess of Cambridge opted for royal blue with her Goat coat as she touched down in Essex to open a new addiction treatment centre built by Action On Addiction on Wednesday

Royal blue? Kate, who is seven months pregnant, wrapped up in a vibrant £660 coat from British label Goat as she arrived in Wickford on Wednesday to officially open the new centre built by the addiction charity, of which she is patron

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The Duchess of Cambridge made her way to an engagement in Essex today and debuted a new coat for the outing.

She has worn a few new pieces lately, in contrast to her more usual thrifty nature. Most notably during her tour of Sweden and Norway was her Alexander McQueen gown, Erdem floral dress, plus coats by Catherine Walker and Dolce & Gabbana.

Back in the UK today though it was a Goat coat in a bright blue hue for the Duchess. We love the pretty bow detailing at the neck which gives it a feminine finish and even more so the fact that it's now half price - thrifty Kate is still in action after all! Click (right) to snap it up.

A coat in this color will certainly brighten things up this winter, helping us all veer away from safer black and navy choices. So even if Kate's outerwear isn't for you, choose from our round up of alternatives below in the same hue.

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Déja vu! This isn't the first time the Duchess has suffered a footwear malfunction; in March 2013, Kate nearly tripped while presenting shamrocks to the officers and guardsmen of the Irish Guards during a St. Patrick's Day Parade

He said about the visit: 'The young royals are creating a high profile [for good causes] and that is so much appreciated. 'They come quite frequently and it makes such a difference to people. Everybody so appreciates their interest.' 

On arrival at the centre in a residential street in the Essex town, Kate, who was wearing a blue coat by label Goat, went straight into a round table discussion with addiction experts. 

At the start of the discussion she was served a cup of tea in a white china cup but did not drink it while the media were in the room. 

Then she met people who are currently being helped by the charity's nine-week community-based non-residential recovery programme before unveiling a plaque and making an impromptu speech. In the discussions with clients, Kate pointed out that she thought it was good the treatment centre was 'within the community' rather than 'isolated'. 

She also asked them: 'What do you feel is the stigma around treatment centres like this?' 

Afterwards Colin, 37, from Tilbury, who is being treated for alcohol addiction, said: 'It was a real honour. This place has basically saved my life.' 

He said about Kate: 'For her to come here and sit with us and be so down-to-earth and talk to us. 'It was absolutely unbelievable.'  

Star of the show: Once inside, the Duchess gave an impromptu speech in which she thanked patients as well as staff involved in setting up the new community centre and its new non-residential recovery programme

Before leaving the centre today, Kate said: 'Huge congratulations, I believe so passionately in community projects to I wish [Clouds in the Community] all the best of success in the future'

During her visit today, the Duchess joined a round-table discussion with healthcare professionals, met staff and clients at different points of their recovery, and attended a reception to commemorate the opening

Suzanne, 33, from Chelmsford, who is being treated for cocaine and alcohol addiction, said: 'She was asking us about how we're finding the treatment, how it affects us in the community... 

'For her to see what she's backing, for her to see the people she's helping.' 

She added: 'Addicts are overlooked sometimes and it is a really big problem in England, there are a lot of addicts that haven't got the help. 'So hopefully publicising it, encouraging more people to go and seek them help that they need... 'There is a horrible stigma...So to meet us and realise we are just everyday people... 

'Without people backing the charity we would be without the help we are receiving now.' After unveiling a plaque to officially open the Clouds in the Community treatment programme, Kate made a short speech. 

She described the charity as having a 'very special place' for her and added about the treatment centre: 'I believe so passionately in community projects.' 

The Action on Addiction treatment centre in Wickford first opened to clients in October last year. It hosts nine-week long addiction recovery programmes including community-based recovery programme: 'Clouds in the Community' which is offered as an alternative to residential treatment. Kate, 36, has been Patron of Action on Addiction since 2012.  

The Duchess was given a huge bouquet of pink and white roses while chatting to well-wishers outside. During a short reception, she told staff: 'You are very special to me, so it's great to be here as well as seeing the development of where the charity has gone over the years gone past'

The Duchess crouches down to chat to a youngster, just one of the dozens of locals who had crowded outside the treatment centre today to catch a glimpse of the royal. Many came with bouquets to present to Kate (pictured)

The Duchess also gave an impromptu speech in which she thanked patients as well as staff involved in setting up the new community centre.

She said: 'It seems like a long time since I first got involved with Action On Addiction, I think it was six years ago, but they have a very special place for me and were really at the start of my learning, particularly now, with the development [of my work] into mental health.

'You are very special to me, so it's great to be here as well as seeing the development of where the charity has gone over the years gone past. Huge congratulations, I believe so passionately in community projects to I wish  [Clouds in the Community] all the best of success in the future.' 

The new centre first opened its doors to patients in October 2017 and hosts a rolling cycle of nine-week long addiction recovery programmes.  

The Duchess also joined a round-table discussion with healthcare professionals, met staff and clients at different points of their recovery, and attended a reception to commemorate the opening, during her visit today.

Clouds in the Community is a self-help addiction recovery programme (SHARP) that provides an alternative to residential treatment, and enables the charity to provide services for more people in more places.

The programme is designed to be a starting point for long term recovery and abstinence, and leads to improvements in participants' physical and psychological health, self-efficacy, and overall quality of life. 

The Duchess was glowing as she left the centre today, clutching colourful bouquets of flowers given to her by well-wishers

Blue on blue: The Duchess's vibrant Goat Ellroy coat is currently half price, down from £660 to £330 in the sale. It matched perfectly with the royal's sapphire engagement ring and matching earrings

All smiles! The Duchess, who is preparing to welcome her third child in two months, looked radiant as she beamed and waved at well-wishers who had gathered outside the centre in Wickford this morning

Important cause: Clouds in the Community is a self-help addiction recovery programme (SHARP) that provides an alternative to residential treatment, and enables the charity to provide services for more people in more places

Thrifty Kate strikes again! The Duchess's vibrant Goat Ellroy coat is currently half price, down from £660 to £330 in the sale. It matched perfectly with the royal's sapphire engagement ring and matching earrings

Solo engagement: During her visit today, the Duchess will join a round-table discussion with healthcare professionals, meet staff and clients at different points of their recovery, and attend a reception to commemorate the opening

Close to her heart: The charity has several sites around the country, including its flagship Clouds House centre in Wiltshire which offers residential treatment, and a further community-based site in Liverpool

Independent evaluation of the programme in Essex showed that almost 80 per cent of clients did not return to any treatment service upon completion of the scheme.

Action on Addiction offers life-saving treatment to individuals and families at its flagship treatment centre, Clouds House in Wiltshire, and at its community-based treatment centres in Essex and Liverpool. 

The charity has several sites around the country, including its flagship Clouds House centre in Wiltshire which offers residential treatment, and a further community-based site in Liverpool.

It treats all forms of addiction including alcoholism, drug addiction, gambling addiction, sex addiction and food-related disorders. 

It also offers education to degree level at The Centre for Addiction Treatment Studies and funds and promotes research into effective responses to addiction.

Easy does it! The Duchess was careful to avoid a wardrobe malfunction as she stepped out of the car this morning to visit the new centre. The centre opened its doors in October and hosts a rolling cycle of nine-week addiction recovery programmes

The Duchess was escorted from her car by an elderly man in uniform who introduced her to council officials as well as charity staff. After heading inside, Kate met people who have had support from Action on Addiction in Wickford

Hair today, gone tomorrow: The Duchess was sporting a bouncy blow dry as she arrived in Essex this afternoon. She paired her vibrant blue designer coat with a black dress, pointed heels and a small box clutch

Nice to meet you! The Duchess was all smiles as she arrived in Wickford today. While at the centre this afternoon, Kate will learn more about the charity's community-based recovery programme Clouds in the Community

Kate, who has just returned from a royal tour of Sweden and Norway with husband William, is expecting her third child in April.

She became patron of Action on Addiction in January 2012, one of the first four charities she chose to support on an official basis since joining the Royal family the year before.

By choosing patronage of an addiction charity as one of her first official roles Kate follows in the footsteps of the late Princess Diana, who became Patron of Turning Point in 1985.

She has visited a number of their facilities over the past six years, including in Liverpool and Wiltshire, and in October 2013 she held the 100 Women in Hedge Funds philanthropic initiatives reception dinner at Kensington Palace in aid of the charity.

One to remember: The Duchess poses next to a plaque she had just unveiled that commemorates the event on Wednesday

One of the centres patients said of Kate's visit: 'For her to come here and sit with us and be so down-to-earth and talk to us. 'It was absolutely unbelievable.'

She looked deeply engaged in the conversation as she joined in the discussion with the professionals at the event

Another person who had used the centre said: 'She was asking us about how we're finding the treatment, how it affects us in the community.'

The new centre first opened its doors to patients in October 2017 and hosts a rolling cycle of nine-week long addiction recovery programmes

Action on Addiction offers life-saving treatment to individuals and families at its flagship treatment centre, Clouds House in Wiltshire, and at its community-based treatment centres in Essex and Liverpool.