Charming Kate wins praise on first solo engagement

 At her wedding, the Prince of Wales is said to have told guests that she was "the daughter he never had".

So it was fitting that the Duchess of Cambridge stepped in for her new father-in-law when he had to drop out of an official engagement this week.

The heir to the throne had travelled to Riyadh to present his condolences to the Saudi Royal Family following the death of the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia.

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In his absence from the Clarence House reception, Kate was the epitome of a gracious hostess, looking typically elegant in a floor-length aqua evening gown that showed off her statuesque figure.

A St James's Palace spokesman said: ''The Duchess of Cambridge was delighted to be able to step in for her father-in-law, The Prince of Wales, to celebrate the work of In Kind Direct at the dinner.''

''She was so pleased that her first solo engagement was for the Prince of Wales, who has shown her so much support over the years.''

The soiree was for In Kind Direct, the charity founded by Charles in 1996 to redistributes surplus goods from manufacturers and retailers to charities.

Chief executive Robin Boles: "We were delighted that the Duchess was able to step in at such short notice after our founder was unexpectedly called away.

"The Duchess hosted a very special evening with absolute professionalism and charm."