Kate Middleton is continuing to cement her role as future queen as she helps her grandmother-in-law Queen Elizabeth entertain leaders from around the world, including President Donald Trump, on Tuesday evening.
Kate, 37, is without husband Prince William, who is currently on a royal tour in Kuwait and Oman, but she joins other senior members of the royal family for the Buckingham Palace reception, which marks 70 years of NATO.
The royal mom, who opted for a bright green ensemble for the occasion, was spotted on her way to the palace reception after leaving her Kensington Palace home.
Multiple sources tell PEOPLE that they have observed a growing confidence in Princess Kate, 37. While raising her three children with Prince William, she has found passion and purpose in helping mothers and children everywhere. “She is finding her voice,” says a well-placed palace source.
Prince Charles and his wife Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall will also be alongside the Queen, 93, to formally receive the NATO leaders and their partners before a formal photograph of the three royals will be taken with the various heads of state and government.
The Queen, Kate and Charles and Camilla will also be joined by Prince Edward, Princess Anne, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester and Princess Alexandra to help welcome guests in the State Rooms of Buckingham Palace.
Notably absent from the reception is Prince Andrew, 59, who has stepped back from public life in the wake of his bombshell interview about his friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Two royal family members who are also not in attendance are Meghan Markle and Prince Harry. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are missing the event as it falls during their “family time” off from royal duties. The new parents previously revealed that they would be taking about six weeks off towards the end of the year amid their concerns that the intense scrutiny they’ve faced has been tough on the couple.
Meghan, 38, and Harry, 35, are also planning to skip the annual holiday festivities at Sandringham — including their public walk to church on Christmas morning.
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Tuesday’s reception is one of the central showpiece events of the two-day meeting that takes place on Tuesday and Wednesday and is significant because it helps celebrate the 70th birthday of the alliance. NATO was established in 1949 with 12 founding members, and is now a collective defense agreement spanning of 29 countries. The United Kingdom is one of NATO’s 12 founding members and London was home to its first headquarters.
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