Kate Middleton Delivers First Speech in England as Duchess of Cambridge

She's been a duchess for nearly a year, but Kate Middleton spoke in public today as a duchess for the very first time!  

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Catherine Duchess of Cambridge delivered her speech at The Treehouse, a children's hospice in Ipswich. While in southeast England, she didn't say anything over-the-top special, but just the fact that she delivered a speech instantly made news around the world.

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As USA Today pointed out, Kate is actually the royal patron of the East Anglia Children's Hospices, which also runs Treehouse. In addition to giving a speech, Kate met with children and their families, planted a tree and talked about the inspirational work of the hospice.

"I'm only sorry that Prince William can't be here today," Kate said. "He would love it here. What you've achieved here is extraordinary." Prince William is actually on duty right now in the Falkland Islands and is expected to return this week.