With a key week of her life as a working royal ahead of her, Prince Charles has taken his "darling daughter-in-law" under his wing.It's part of the royal family's operation to make sure Duchess of Cambridge has plenty of support while her husband is away in the Falklands.
So following the Queen's invitation to the Jubilee roadshow when she acquitted herself with aplomb, Kate will be at Charles' side.They both share a passion for the arts - Kate, a history of art graduate, is an enthusiastic photographer and her father-in-law loves painting watercolours.So their trip to meet school children taking part in the Great Art Quest at Dulwich Gallery makes perfect sense.
They'll be promoting the Prince's Foundation for Children & the Arts, to give young people from deprived areas access to culture.
Apparently they'll also be sharing a secret - Charles has reportedly commissioned a portrait of Kate for William's 30th birthday.
Thursday's engagement is a precursor to two more prominent dates on her agenda just a few days later.
On St Patrick's Day Kate will hand out shamrocks to officers of the Irish Guards. Prince William holds the rank of colonel in the regiment and wore its dashing red uniform at their wedding last year. The busy week will culminate when she gives her first solo speech on March 19. The milestone event will take place at the opening of The Treehouse facility. It is run by East Anglia Children's Hospices, where the Duchess was recently named patron.Chief executive Graham Butland said Kate's interest was a great tribute to their work with seriously ill youngsters.He said: "It's a huge boost for the children, young people and families receiving our care and support."