Kate Middleton's first public speech

We're quite fond of Kate Middleton's style, but we've rarely heard her speak in public. That all changed on Monday as the Duchess gave her first public speech as a member of the royal family. The occasion marked the official opening of the East Anglia Children's Hospice at The Treehouse in Ipswich, outside London. 

The Duchess, 30, wrote her own speech and opted to wear her mother Carole Middleton's royal blue Reiss dress for good luck. Carole originally wore the frock to Ascot in 2010, and her daughter has chosen to style it similarly with black pumps and the same black belt. While wearing her mother's fascinator would not have been appropriate attire for her speech, we have seen Catherine wear the very same hat to the wedding of Nicholas van Cutsem in 2011. 

Carole Middleton wore the same blue Reiss dress back in 2010 It's clear the Duchess has inherited her mother's sense of style, as the Reiss dress could easily have come from her own closet. Catherine has continued to turn to Reiss designs for big events such as her official engagement photos and when she met the Obamas at Buckingham Palace last May. We suspect blue may also be Catherine's favorite color, as she wore a royal blue Issa dress to her engagement announcement, a blue Zara dress the day after her wedding, and a blue lace Erdem dress during her visit to Canada. Perhaps she prefers the shade since it matches her stunning sapphire engagement ring that once belonged to the late Princess Diana. 

Catherine's thick accent is perhaps more surprising to viewers than her wardrobe choice. "I feel hugely honored to be here to see this wonderful center," she told the crowd at the Treehouse center. "I am only sorry that William can't be here today, he would love it here. A view of his, that I share, is that through teamwork, so much can be achieved. What you have all achieved is extraordinary." 

While the Duchess seemed a bit nervous giving her first speech, we feel her kind words and eloquent way of speaking were just right for the occasion, and she certainly looked lovely.