Duchess Kate Prepares For Official Royal Engagement Overseas Sans Prince William

Duchess Kate is preparing for her first royal engagement sans husband, Prince William. Us Weekly reports that a Middleton family member informed them that the Duchess of Cambridge will travel to Malta in early September and spend two days there. She’ll participate in commemorating 50 years of the island’s independence.

The Middleton source tells Us:

“She’s really nervous but excited about stepping out by herself. The trip will focus on some of the causes that connect with her beliefs and patronages.”

Kensington Palace reportedly won’t confirm details surrounding Kate’s tour until a later date, telling People:

“We will announce any overseas trip in due course.”

USA Today adds this in their report about the Duchess visiting Malta:

“The Sunday Times of Malta is informed that Kate Middleton is expected to be the guest of honour as Malta marks its Golden Jubilee since gaining independence on September 21, 1964. The British High Commission said no decision had yet been taken.”

Us summarizes some of Duchess Kate’s previous engagements that have demonstrated her abilities to appear solo, such as visiting Ipswich’s Treehouse in June — a children’s hospice. She interacted with patients and gained more of an understanding about palliative care. On July 5, the Duchess appeared at the start of the Tour De France in West Tanfield, England alongside William and Prince Harry.

It’s unlikely that Kate will have Prince George accompany her on this royal engagement. She and William did enjoy taking George with them to Australia and New Zealand in April.

Malta is located off the Italian boot south of Sicily. USA Today notes that the island “has a colorful history dating back to about 5,000 B.C., is famous for having had ferocious medieval knights, and is so Catholic it was the last EU nation to legalize divorce.”

The island has a history of numerous rulers with Britain being the last. A good relationship exists between Malta and the British royals. Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip resided there after they were married in 1949. While Prince Philip in the British Navy, he was stationed there.

Duchess Kate will presumably show up armed with a lot of knowledge about the region after learning about it from her royal mother-in-law.

When Kate carries out her first solo engagement without William overseas, there’s all the confidence in the world that she’ll do just fine. The Duchess excels at being poised and always seems comfortable in her role within the royal family.

[Photo Credit: Getty Images via Huffington Post]