Kate Middleton's love of sports is well known, but on a visit to her former preparatory school near Pangbourne, the Duchess of Cambridge showed a real passion for hockey when she played in knee-high, heeled boots. Kate looked stunning in her latest fringed hairdo and checked tartan coat dress, which matched the checked patterns of the school uniform.

Catherine visited Saint Andrew's school in southern England, which she attended from 1986 to 1995, on 30 November to open a new hockey pitch.

Kate was quick to take to the hockey field, joining a group of 12-year-olds for a training game. In fact, the Duchess revealed it was while at St Andrew's that she first realised her love of sport.

"Sport has been a huge part of my life, and I feel incredibly grateful for the opportunities I had to get outside and play in such wonderful open spaces - though sadly there was nothing quite as glamorous as this in my time," Kate said.

Kate also spoke about the nine years she spent at St Andrew's and how much she enjoyed being back again. The Duchess also let slip she had wanted to become a teacher.

"It is such a treat to be back here at St Andrew's. I absolutely loved my time here; they were some of my happiest years, which makes it so incredibly special to be here today. In fact, I enjoyed it so much that when I had to leave, I told my mother that I was going to come back to be a teacher. While that didn't quite happen, I was thrilled to have been asked back today on St Andrew's Day," the Duchess said in a speech.

Kate also shared childhood secrets with the children at the school, about herself and her younger sister, Pippa Middleton, who also attended St Andrew's.

"I can remember when I was here there were little guinea pigs. There was one called Pip and one called Squeak - because my sister was called Pippa and I was Squeak," the 30-year-old said.

Scroll down to view photographs of Kate Middleton at St Andrew's...