Kate Middleton chooses charities to support

LONDON (KABC) -- Kate Middleton has taken a key step in her royal role. She's chosen the charities she will support.

According to St. James's Palace, the Duchess of Cambridge has accepted honorary positions with a variety of charities.

The royal became a patron of Action on Addiction and the National Portrait Gallery. She has also become a royal patron of East Anglia's Children's Hospices and The Art Room, and a volunteer with the Scout Association.

"The duchess has chosen to support organizations that complement the charitable work already undertaken by her husband," the palace said in a statement.

Supporting charities is considered extremely important for members of the royal family, since their patronage raises the profile of the causes they support.

The late Princess Diana, mother to Prince William, was active in supporting numerous charities, and worked with organizations to help AIDS patients and remove land mines from conflict zones.

The duchess' list includes The Art Room, which uses art to help children increase their self-esteem, self-confidence and independence. The world renowned National Portrait Gallery promotes an appreciation of portraiture in all forms, and maintains a vigorous outreach program.

The duchess, a former Brownie, also chose to volunteer for the scouts, who offer activities for over 400,000 young men and young women in Britain.

The duchess is already a patron of the charitable foundation Prince William founded with his brother, Prince Harry.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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prince william, kate middleton, charity, world news

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