Kate Middleton Flies Solo for the First Time at Royal Engagement

Duchess of Cambridge fills in at the last-minute for Prince Charles to host a charity dinner event

Somebody no doubt just scored a few extras points with the queen.

After Prince Charles had to back out of attending a formal dinner event for the charity In Kind Direct, Kate Middleton graciously offered to stand in for her father-in-law on Wednesday evening in London.

The benefit, held at Clarence House, marked the Duchess of Cambridge's first solo engagement since tying the knot in April with Prince William.

In Kind Direct was founded by the Prince of Wales in 1996 as a way of redistributing surplus goods from manufacturers to charities both within the U.K. and abroad.

According to the palace, Kate was asked to cover for Charles at last night's shindig so that he could go to Riyadh in order to offer condolences to the Saudi royal family in the wake of the crown prince's passing.

And, gorgeous as always, Duchess Catherine was indeed the hostess with the mostest as she mingled comfortably with the roughly 30 guests at the reception.

It looks like those princess lessons were way worth it!