Kate comes to the rescue for father-in-law

Kate chats up guests at the Clarence House reception as she filled in for her father-in-law. (Getty)

Kate is proving to be an able understudy for royal duties.

A couple of hair extensions, long evening gown, a little make-up and she was good to go as she filled in for her father-in-law Prince Charles on Wednesday night at a charity event at Clarence House.

It was the Duchess of Cambridge’s first solo engagement as she hob-nobbed with about 30 guests from In Kind Direct, which was founded by Charles and helps UK charities working abroad by redistributing surplus goods from manufacturers and retailers.

Kate wore a floor-length gown, diamond earrings and bracelet, plus, the Daily Mail reports, some extensions in her chestnut mane. (Between Kate and William, you would have figured it would have been the prince who would be reaching for some extra hair).

Charles bowed out of the dinner to make a last-minute trip to Saudi Arabia for the funeral of the Saudi crown prince sultan.

“The Duchess had a little bit of time beforehand to prepare for the engagement - it all went very well,” said a St. James’ Palace spokesman. “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.”

William did not attend the event, but the couple will be back together publically again next Wednesday when they fly to Denmark to visit UNICEF’s emergency supply centre in Copenhagen. They will be joined there by the Crown Prince and Crown Princess of Denmark.

“The couple are seeking to use their joint profile to focus global attention on the terrible situation in East Africa and help push the issue up the international agenda,” said the Palace.