Kate Middleton Chooses Three New Charities

By Katie Kindelan April 19, 2013

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Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton is expecting her first child in July but it's now clear that she won't be just decorating the nursery or spending time on her newest hobby, knitting, in the meantime.

Instead, the duchess will be devoting her time to three new charities that each reflect her "personal interests in supporting children and young people to build their skills, confidence and aspirations," the palace said in a statement.

PHOTOS: The Life and Times of Kate Middleton

The new charities chosen by Duchess Kate, 31, include Place2Be, a mental health and support center for underprivileged youth; SportsAid, an organization that provides aid and training to young athletes; and the Natural History Museum, a tourist destination and research center.

The duchess, married to Prince William, channeled her late mother-in-law, Princess Diana, in January 2012 when she announced that she would be donating her time and support to an array of charitable organizations, including an addiction charity, a group of children's hospices, the National Portrait Gallery, and the Scout Association, the British equivalent of the Girl Scouts, among others.

The month after her announcement, in February, she spent Valentine's Day without Prince William but in the company of benefactors of the addiction charity and a children's hospital. The duchess was spotted last month trading her usual high-fashion look to get down and dirty with the U.K.'s Cub Scouts, spending a day with them in the great outdoors.

Although Middleton is due with her first child in a few months and was hospitalized in the early stages of her pregnancy for severe morning sickness, the palace says she has maintained her charitable efforts, holding meetings and private visits with the three new charities on her plate.

She will also, according to the palace, "undertake both private and public visits" in the U.K. on behalf of the charities in the months ahead.

Middleton told employees at a homeless shelter earlier this month that the couple's baby, whose sex has not been revealed, was due "around mid-July, but apparently babies have their own agenda."