The Duchess of Cambridge let her big secret slip yesterday: She and hubby Prince William named the newest family member. No, she didn’t slip a secret pregnancy by you. Catherine revealed her cocker spaniel puppy’s name to children at Rose Hill Primary School in Oxford during a solo public appearance.

While accepting a toy dog from the children, who use stuffed animals as part of an art therapy program, Art Room, the Duchess said she would call him Lupo like her puppy. The word is Italian for wolf.
Britain's Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge watches Jaydn Proffitt, 7, paint during a visit to the Art Room facilities at Rose Hill Primary School in Oxford. (POOL - REUTERS)

It didn’t take long for the Twitterverse to pick up on the name. A handle for the royal pup was created within hours. @HRH_Lupo, the “prince among royal pooches,” racked up 900 followers in 24 hours.

Damn! My name's been found out by @valentinelow in The Times. Kate's in doghouse when Wills gets back

— HRH_Lupo (@HRH_Lupo) February 21, 2012

Kate has been keeping herself busy while Prince William is stationed in the Falklands. Her visit to the Art Rooms at Rose Hill and Oxford Spires Academy marked her first public engagement as the royal patron of the Art Room, a charity that helps children boost self-esteem and confidence through art. It is the latest in a string of solo appearances.

Kate stepped out in a Birdie jacquard shirt dress by Irish designer Orla Kiely, brown tights and booties. And with everything the princess wears now, the wool dress quickly sold out. The designer is a fairly new choice for Kate, and a trendy one at that, Fashionista notes, calling Kiely the “Kate Spade of the British Isles.”

Britain's Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge smiles as she leaves after her visit to the Rose Hill Primary School in Oxford. (STEFAN WERMUTH - REUTERS)

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Royal Valentine’s Day: The Duke and Duchess spend the holiday apart

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge’s first solo appearance: What she wore