Kate Middleton Takes On New Job, Pregnant Duchess Working For 1851 Trust

Kate Middleton’s pregnancy-related illness has prevented her from performing her royal duties in recent weeks, but that hasn’t stopped the expectant royal from taking on another charity. The palace announced Monday that Britain’s Duchess of Cambridge will serve as a Royal Patron for the 1851 Trust, a charity which helps inspire young adults through sailing and the marine industry.

"I feel very fortunate to have enjoyed sailing from a young age and I know it is a great way of providing young people with the opportunity to develop skills and confidence,” Middleton, 32, said of her involvement with the charity, in a statement.

The organization is supported by Olympic gold medalist Sir Ben Ainslie and was launched in Portsmouth, England, Monday. The trust is currently aiming to bring the America’s Cup back to the United Kingdom for the first time since 1851, a goal which the duchess said she is “delighted” to support.

“It is a hugely exciting time of sailing. … I am looking forward to being a part of this journey and I hope that through the 1851 Trust we can engage and inspire a new generation into sailing along the way,” she said.

The Daily Beast reports that Middleton did not attend the charity’s launch Monday due to her continued battle with hyperemesis gravidarum, an acute form of morning sickness. The palace announced that she was suffering from the illness in September. The duchess, who has canceled several appearances in recent weeks because of her medical condition, is reportedly due this spring.

According to the palace, the duchess is also the Patron of Action on Addiction, Royal Patron of East Anglia's Children’s Hospices, Royal Patron of The Art Room, Patron of the National Portrait Gallery, London, Occasional Volunteer in the Scout Association, Patron of Place2Be, Patron of SportsAid and Patron of the National History Museum.

Prince William, and his brother, Prince Harry, have also been busy. On Tuesday, the brother’s foreword in a book released on behalf of their late mother’s charity, The Diana Award, was released. The book celebrates the 15-year anniversary of the organization, which aims to prevent bullying. The organization was founded two years after Princess Diana’s death in 1997.

“In recent years, we have both had the privilege of meeting some truly inspiring young people, and those involved with the Diana Award are no exception, working to quietly transform their communities and the lives of those around them,” reads the foreword (via Us Weekly). “We believe, when encouraged and supported, that young people have the ability to change society for the better. We know that our mother in whose memory this award was established felt the same and would be proud of its achievements to date. Happy Birthday!"