Kate Middleton Officially Shows Baby Bump [PHOTO & VIDEO]: Pregnant Duchess Looks Amazing in First Public Appearance Since Pregnancy Announcement

Kate Middleton has made her first public appearance since announcing her pregnancy of her first child this morning and still kept herself stylish despite her baby bump. The 31-year-old Duchess of Cambirdge visited one of her many charities, Hope House in South London, allowing cameras to capture the first official photos and video of the royal pregnant tummy. As usual, Kate was very fashionable, wearing a grey wrap dress that accentuated her "bump," even though she is only 4 month pregnant. Hope House is an all-female rehabilitation center that is supported by Action on Addiction.

This outing is the first official opportunity Kate has taken to be in the public eye since the announcement of her pregnancy. She had been hospitalized early in her pregnancy for peremesis gravidarum, which is an acute morning sickness that entails additional hydration and nutrients. Clearly doing well and smiling throughout her outing today, Kate kept up with her royal duties. Her charitable works and even her fashion sense have drawn comparison to her mother-in-law, the late Princess Diana. Most of the attention is on her fashion sense though. Diana was always stylish during both of her pregnancies and was a media favorite. It looks like Kate is taking cues from the right icon with her pregnancy.

Pictures from today are unfortunately not the first of her baby bump. While vacationing with her husband, the 30-year-old Prince William, on the private Caribbean island of Mustique in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, photos of Middleton in a blue bikini were taken. Now these pictures barely revealed much since she is still in such an early part of her pregnancy, but the royal family was still very displeased at the invasion of privacy. But that story is behind the family as Kate showed off her baby bump in the way that she wanted and looked amazing while doing it.

Earlier today, Kate was in the headlines for being verbally attacked by author Hilary Mantel. Mstarz reported on this incident earlier:

According to the IB Times, 60-year-old Mantel compared the Duchess of Cambridge to Princess Diana and Marie Antoinette, deeming her a" vessel for breeding for the Royal family."

Clearly some harsh words from the author, it seems like Kate was unfazed and kept herself composed for her important outing today. I guess she is more than just a "vessel" considering her attention to her charitable works despite her recent health problems with her pregnancy, huh Hilary?