Kate's Makes Her First Speech as a Royal

With a big smile, the Duchess of Cambridge made her first public speech as a member of the Royal Family on Monday, officially opening the East Anglia Children's Hospice at the Treehouse center in Ipswich, outside London.

"I am only sorry that William can't be here today. He would love it here," she said about her husband, Prince William, as guests politely laughed. "A view of his – that I share – is that through teamwork, so much can be achieved. What you have all achieved is extraordinary."

Kate, who wrote the speech herself, also said that when she first visited the charity's hospice in Milton, Cambridgeshire, she had "pre-conceived idea as to what to expect. Far from being a clinical depressing place for sick children, it was a home. Most importantly, it was a family home, a happy place of stability, support and care. It was a place of fun."

The Duchess praised the work was "inspirational, it's a shining example of the support and care that is delivered," and added, "The feelings you inspire – feelings of love and of hope – offer a chance to families to live a life they never thought could be possible."

Wearing an electric blue Reiss belted dress – that used to belong to her mother – and black heels, Kate was greeted before her speech by about 600 cheering well-wishers.

The visit came at the end of an intensive tour Kate took of all the charities she chose to patronize back in January.

Meanwhile, William is expected home soon from his six-seven week posting in the Falkland Islands.