Britain's Kate handles 1st solo royal engagement

[October 28, 2011]  LONDON (AP) -- Britain's royal family says the Duchess of Cambridge has handled her first solo duties since her wedding to Prince William -- acting as a last-minute stand-in for father-in-law Prince Charles at a charity dinner.

The young royal hosted an event Wednesday night in aid of In Kind Direct, a charity supported by the heir to the British throne, at London's Clarence House.

St. James's Palace said Thursday the duchess had been "delighted to be able to step in" and greet the 30 guests attending the reception.

Charles had traveled to Saudi Arabia for the state funeral of crown prince Sultan bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud.

William and the duchess plan to travel to Denmark next week to visit a U.N. center that distributes emergency supplies to East Africa.

[Associated Press]

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