Kate Middleton Dons Evening Gown, Parties With Old Folks (PHOTOS, POLL)

Looks like all those princess lessons paid off!

After but a few royal appearances in the past weeks, Kate Middleton threw on a vintage Amanda Wakeley evening gown and charmed guests at her very first-ever solo engagement.

Sans Prince William, Kate chatted with (much older) partygoers at an event to support In Kind Direct, an organization founded by The Prince of Wales that matches surplus goods from manufacturers and retailers with UK charities in need.

Seeing as Kate's future will seemingly consist of charitable work, the event made sense as her first without her husband by her side. And from the looks of it she performed well, glad-handing and preening in a gorgeous mint green (or is it seafoam?), empire-waist dress with sexy straps.

Her hair was also a bit of a surprise, worn half-up and swept off her face to reveal gorgeous diamond earrings.

We much prefer this delicate, fashionable look to the rather vivid get-up she donned two weeks ago for her last charity gala. Take a look at a few photos below and tell us: what do think of Kate's first solo appearance?

Quick Poll

Kate's solo debut dress:

MAJOR! Sexy yet delicate all at once.

MEH. Nothing special.

Share your vote on Facebook so your friends can take this poll

Comments

[ignacio sanabria]

09:36 AM on 10/31/2011

Problem with being as Princess is that you have to smile at all times, even if you do not feel like it.

[Pupadup4oBama]

12:08 AM on 10/29/2011

Such a lovely young woman.
She is well suited for such a demanding job.

[frant52]

12:36 PM on 10/28/2011

She looks great in that dress! And better yet, she looks comfortable and friendly! Good for her!

[youvebeenflagged]

12:05 PM on 10/28/2011

F*** the Monarchy AND the grey haired aristorcracy

[mebemommee06]

03:00 PM on 10/28/2011

like they care what you think..

[ABXNOMORE]

08:49 AM on 10/30/2011

They will when their out dated institution is gone.

[Zip Zinzel]

11:12 AM on 10/28/2011

WHO OR WHEN WAS IT
When these famous women became fashion models?
A: I guess it was that: "let them eat cake" lady, who got executed by guillotine on 16 October 1793

Constantly parading around in the latest fashions, only reduces these women to the status of living mannikins.
IF THAT IS ALL YOU REALLY ARE, then you should keep it up.

IF YOU ASPIRE TO BE SOMETHING MORE, then
. . . the wearing of costumes, ensures that your clothes will receive more attention than you will.

[mebemommee06]

03:03 PM on 10/28/2011

what he heck are you commenting about..She is the most down to earth person who just happened to marry a royal.. yes zip she was a commoner.. and actually,, Marie never actually said that,, try google, makes you sound smarter..

[Zip Zinzel]

06:05 PM on 10/28/2011

Thanks for your reply mebe momme

I am of course, quite well aware of the fact that
Suite Marie
never made that "cake" remark, but still that's the easiest shorthand to "ID" her

==============
My fashion comment,
(I know this is a minority view)
IS
that if these ladies, wanted to be known as
. . . women of substance
they would NEVER wear designer clothes. (or borrow jewelry)

TAKE FOR EXAMPLE- the famous lady Di-
You and I both know that that she did huge amounts of
. . . charity & humanitarian work
BUT HER LEGACY IS
Clothes-Horse, AND (reluctant) Media Wh@R3
AND THAT LEGACY, only benefitted the various designers,
. . . whose clothes she wore.

THIS WHOLE LINE OF THINKING
. . . that I am illuminating here, is of no great note
I AM JUST ELABORATING IT
. . as a counter-narrative that is seldom heard
THANKS AGAIN!

[shawnepink]

11:03 AM on 10/28/2011

Now if the Queen wore that dress that would be new worthy!

[Bafun]

12:22 PM on 10/28/2011

or Camilla

[TheWM]

10:24 AM on 10/28/2011

Contemporary royalty is so boring that it's going to make my head explode.

You darn boring royalty, making my head explode! I need my head to work!

[scorpioleidy]

10:14 AM on 10/28/2011

Diana would be so proud of Will's choice of a wife!

[Stand Up for your Belief]

08:43 AM on 10/28/2011

Those "royals" and brits are some of the most ugliest people ever! Brittle frizzy hair, yellow teeth and bad skin. KAte should be lucky 2 actually be cute.

[Bafun]

12:27 PM on 10/28/2011

Those Americans are the fatest people ever, bad teeth or no teeth at all because of lack of health insurance. See some of them everyday.
So you can see how generalization looks.

[mebemommee06]

03:05 PM on 10/28/2011

I'm an American.. and good for you,,

[EvasDaddy]

07:37 PM on 10/29/2011

Hahaha OUCH!

Nicely done, Bafun ... nicely done.

We Americans are a pathetic bunch, at times.

[csmomo]

08:18 AM on 10/28/2011

OOMG!!! STOP THE PRESSES!!! KATE MIDDLETON HAS PUT ON A PAIR OF PINK DRAWERS!!!
Now get in line, everyone, gasp and go OOOOOOH.

[Stand Up for your Belief]

08:43 AM on 10/28/2011

hahahahahaaaaaa

[mebemommee06]

03:07 PM on 10/28/2011

Yeah, like we don't see alot of so called stars on here over and over and over..

[Laurel Kornfeld]

01:52 AM on 10/28/2011

I'm still a million times more beautiful than Schmate. Abolish monarchy from the face of this planet!

[DandaPanda]

02:34 PM on 10/28/2011

but she married better than you did or could which makes her prettier

[Laurel Kornfeld]

10:56 PM on 11/19/2011

Says who??? Willie is an ugly, balding, boring inbred. Beauty comes from within, not from who you marry.

[Kitten Kramer]

11:38 PM on 10/27/2011

What a great representive for the people of England. She is charming and intelligent, finally someone who has class, not like those york girls or their parents, they have no class at all. The Queen should be very proud of William and Catherine for carrying on the heritage of England.

[dovelove]

09:52 PM on 10/27/2011

Finally something not safe.

[mebemommee06]

03:09 PM on 10/28/2011

I love the way she doesn't have to flaunt herself to get attention..

[nik101]

08:36 PM on 10/27/2011

FYI: As for Catharine's name, she chooses to use her name but in an official capacity she uses the name given to her by the Queen. I believe both are just fine with her.

[nik101]

08:31 PM on 10/27/2011

She's a lovely, educated young lady who can more than hold her own with anyone. She looks like she is enjoying herself & she looks stunning.