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Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge attends the British Ambassador's Residence in The Hague on October 11 in The Netherlands Danny Lawson-Pool/Getty Images

The Duchess of Cambridge seemed anything but nervous as she embarked on her first solo engagement abroad to the Netherlands on a crisp autumnal day (11 October).

Proving she can conduct royal duties perfectly well without her husband Prince William, Kate Middleton delighted the Dutch crowds when she flashed her pearly whites upon arrival at The Hague in Holland.

The stylish duchess, 34, was dressed to impress in a powder blue skirt-suit by Chelsea-based designer, Catherine Walker, a brand regularly worn by the late Princess Diana. The bespoke two-piece suit featured a waist-cinching belt to show off Kate's svelte figure, while the oversized buttons and peplum silhouette gave the look a 1960s feel.

Kate put her classic spin on the striking outfit with a pair of nude suede stilettos and a matching small clutch bag. She wore her long brunette hair in a sophisticated updo – a style she has been favouring of late – while wearing a simple yet elegant pair of pearl earrings with natural, fresh make-up.

The mother-of-two seemed delighted to be visiting the Netherlands and smiled from ear-to-ear when she paid a visit to the iconic Mauritshuis museum at The Hague this afternoon. After studying art history in St Andrews and becoming a patron of the National Portrait Gallery, it was no surprise that Kate was naturally drawn to the historical pieces of art.

Kate Middleton
Kate Middleton arrives at the Mauritshuis Art Museum at The Hague to view the exhibition At Home in Holland: Vermeer and his Contemporaries from the British Royal Collection Chris Radburn/ PA
Kate Middleton
Kate Middleton arrives at the Mauritshuis Art Museum at The Hague to view the exhibition At Home in Holland: Vermeer and his Contemporaries from the British Royal Collection Chris Radburn/ PA

Kate viewed pieces that have stood the test of time, including Johannes Vermeer's famed The Girl With The Pearl Earring. She was then given a personal tour of an exhibition featuring Dutch Old Masters loaned by the Royal Collection, which included artwork, furniture and other objects accumulated over centuries by the British monarchy.

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Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge views the Girl with a Pearl Earring by Johannes Vermeer as she visits the Mauritshuis Gallery during a solo visit to The Hague on October 11 in The Netherlands Arthur Edwards - Pool/Getty Images
Kate Middleton
Kate Middleton looks at paintings on a visit to Mauritshuis' museum with director Emilie Gordenker at The Hague, The Netherlands Robin van Lonkhuijsen/ AFP

The main attraction of the exhibition is thought to be Vermeer's The Music Lesson but the Duchess also toured the museum's permanent collection – which is where she came across Vermeer's most famous work, along with The Goldfinch by Carel Fabritius.

Kate Middleton
Kate Middleton arrives at the Mauritshuis Art Museum in The Hague to view the exhibition At Home in Holland: Vermeer and his Contemporaries from the British Royal Collection Chris Radburn/ PA

Kate met with children participating in the gallery's learning programme before leaving the venue, and attended a short reception with museum supporters. Earlier on today, Kate made a courtesy call to King Willem-Alexander at his home, Villa Eikenhorst – the royal residence he shares with wife Queen Maxima and their three daughters, Princesses Amalia, Alexia and Ariane.

Kate Middleton
Kate Middleton meets King Willem-Alexander of The Netherlands at Villa Eikenhorst in The Hague Samir Hussein/ Getty Images
Kate Middleton
Kate Middleton meets King Willem-Alexander of The Netherlands at Villa Eikenhorst in The Hague Samir Hussein/ Getty Images
kate middleton
Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge greets members of the public as she visits the Mauritshuis Gallery during a solo visit to The Hague Arthur Edwards - WPA Pool/Getty Images