Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge, To Make First Public Speech

Duchess Kate To Make First Speech

The Duchess of Cambridge will make her first public speech on Monday when she visits one of her charities, East Anglia's Children's Hospices.

Kate will address the organisation's staff, supporters and the families of children with life-threatening conditions who are supported and cared for by the charity which works across Suffolk, Essex, Cambridgeshire and Norfolk.

She is royal patron of the charity and visited it privately last autumn when researching which good causes she wanted to support.

The duchess has been practising for her first public speech although it is not known if she has asked for professional coaching. However, she has probably been given tips by her husband William who has been showing his wife "the ropes" of how to be a royal since their engagement was announced.

She will not only visit the Treehouse in Ipswich, the charity's hospice service for Suffolk and Essex, but will formally open the building.

During the visit Kate will tour the facilities such as the sensory room and music room and will meet children and their families who receive care and support from the hospice service. A private tour of the bedrooms and care area will also be given.

Before leaving, Kate will plant a commemorative tree in the Treehouse grounds.

Last week Kate showed off her hockey prowess at London's Olympic Park on Thursday, as she met members of Team GB.

The Duchess, captain of the first XI hockey team at her school, admitted "she was really nervous" having not picked up a stick since she stopped in 2005.

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