Kate Middleton
Kate Middleton will embark on an official tour to Malta on behalf of the Queen. Reuters

Kate Middleton is set to embark on her first foreign solo tour on behalf of the Queen.

The Duchess of Cambridge will be guest of honour at a celebration in Malta next month, where she will attend two days of official events to mark the 50th anniversary of the island's independence from the UK.

Kate will leave Prince William holding the baby, literally, since Prince George won't be accompanying his mother on the trip.

Kensington Palace confirmed the official tour in a statement, saying: "Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge will visit Malta on 20th and 21st September 2014 to represent Her Majesty The Queen on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Malta's independence."

It has been revealed that the Duchess will fly out to Malta on Saturday (September 20) and will travel directly to the President of Malta's San Anton Palace, which will be her residence for the weekend of official duties.

Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge will visit Malta on 20th and 21st September 2014 to represent Her Majesty The Queen on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Malta's independence.
- Kensington Palace

The Queen has also stayed at the palace, which was constructed as a country villa by Knight Antoine de Paule, a French aristocrat, who named it Sainte Antoine after his patron saint, Anthony of Padua.

After a meeting with the President, Marie Louise Coleiro Preca, the Duchess will call on the Prime Minister of Malta, Hon Dr Joseph Muscat, and his wife at his office in the Auberge de Castille.

As part of her hectic two day schedule, Kate will attend an Independence Day Celebration hosted by the British High Commissioner.

She will later view a re-enactment of an historical event, the inspection of the fort and garrison by the Grand Bailiff of the Order of the Knights of St John.

The Duchess will also travel to the National Library, where she will be invited to view historical documents, including letters from King Henry V111 and George 11, and the original citation awarding the George Cross to Malta.

The highlight of her visit, however, will be as guest of honour at the official Independence Day Celebrations at the Upper Barrakka Gardens, set against the breath-taking backdrop of the Grand Harbour.

The following day, (Sunday September 21) she will first attend an Independence Day Service at St John's Cathedral and later view two Caravaggios in the Cathedral Museum. The opportunity to peruse the rare artworks will be of interest to Kate who has a 2:1 History of Art degree from St Andrew's.

The Duchess will also visit the Agenzija Zghazagh or Agency for Youth, a government organisation which runs initiatives for young people. The Duchess will hear about the work of the agency from the young people who use the centre and their support workers.

Members of the public will be able to catch a glimpse of the 32-year-old royal as she takes an afternoon walk through Vittoriosa Square en route to the Church of St Lawrence to view a Maltese art collection.

She will also take a boat tour across the Grand Harbour to see the iconic views between Vittoriosa and Valletta.

Kate Middleton, The Queen
The Duchess of Cambridge and the queen share a joke during the Jubilee visit Reuters

The official trip is evidence of the Queen's growing confidence in Kate and pours scorn on rumours of a rift with her daughter-in-law over her informal approach to royal life.

The Mediterranean island is of special significance to the Queen, who lived there for two years as a newlywed herself, when Prince Phillip was living in HMS Chequers with the Royal Navy's Mediterranean Fleet.

The Queen considers their time there as one of the happiest periods of her life, as it was their only experience of living like an 'ordinary' couple.

The queen joined the other officer's wives for a carefree existence comprising tea parties and shopping trips. Her daughter, Princess Anne, was conceived on the island.

The Queen and her husband returned to Malta several times afterwards most recently in 2007, to mark her diamond wedding anniversary.

The Duchess has reportedly discussed the trip at length with the Queen and will report back on her return.

Malta voluntarily became part of the British Empire in 1800, but achieved self-rule after the Second World War.

Following a constitutional referendum in 1964, the island became an independent state retaining the Queen as its Head of State.