Kate Middleton Plans her Charitable Life

Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge, is expanding her royal agenda and beginning what could eventually become a life of charity work.

Middleton is currently visiting a number of philanthropic organizations and will decide on which ones she will support by the end of the year, according to a St. James Palace spokesperson.

The Duchess is using the next few months to get to know a number of charitable and other causes better, so she can make well-informed decisions about her future role. The Duchess plans to meet a wide range of people and make private visits, the palace spokesperson stated.

We are not giving a running commentary of the causes the Duchess is looking at. Her interests remain broad at the moment.

The media is already making comparisons to Prince William's mother, Diana, Princess of Wales. Diana was lauded for her charity work, and gave her time to a number of organizations, including those for the homeless, HIV prevention and the victims of landmines in Africa.

Middleton's father-in-law, Prince Charles, is also devoted to charity, and works with at least 20 organizations, many of which he serves as president.