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Pregnant Kate Middleton beamed today as she embraced the midwife who helped her to deliver Princess Charlotte.

Professor Jacqueline Dunkley-Bent was on duty at the Lindo wing at St Mary's Hospital in London on May 2, 2015, when the Duchess gave birth to her daughter.

Today, Kate, who is expecting her third child in April, hugged Ms Dunkley-Bent on a visit to the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, where she was welcomed as a new patron.

The royal spotted the midwife among a crowd who gathered to watch her receive a certificate of her patronage at a ceremony.

As she left the college to launch a new nursing campaign at St Thomas' Hospital, Kate told RCOG President Lesley Regan: "It's so great to see Jacqui as well."

(Image: REUTERS) (Image: REUTERS) (Image: WireImage)

Kate was assigned two patronages today by Kensington Palace as she steps up efforts to champion women's health.

As well as her role with the RCOG, Kate will also lend support to the Nursing Now campaign, which launches today to raise the profile of nursing work across the world.

Wearing a two-piece blue Jenny Packham dress and coat, Kate was greeted outside the RCOG by Professor Regan in freezing temperatures on the first leg of her visits.

The 36-year-old visited the RCOG before she travelled to St Thomas' Hospital, both in London, in her new roles.

(Image: PA) (Image: REX/Shutterstock) (Image: Getty Images Europe)

Once inside the college, in Marylebone, central London, Kate was seen inspecting a painting of the Queen during her visit in 1960.

The engagements will see Kate learning about and supporting female healthcare, and championing professionals on the front line.

The RCOG tweeted: "We are delighted to confirm that Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge has today become an RCOG Patron. The Duchess will attend at special ceremony at the College later this morning

"Today The Duchess of Cambridge will attend a roundtable discussion at the RCOG on tackling the stigma around women’s health, in particular."

(Image: PA)

(Image: PA)

Kate will become only the charity's second patron in its 89-year history following in the footsteps of the Queen Mother.

Professor Regan said she was "thrilled" Kate had accepted the organisation's invitation to be its patron.

She added: "We are very grateful to Her Royal Highness whose support will help to raise our profile as a medical charity that champions the provision of high quality women's healthcare at home and beyond.

"We know that maternal health and mental well being is an issue close to the duchess's heart, as a young mother herself."

(Image: PA)

(Image: KensingtonRoyal/Twitter) (Image: KensingtonRoyal/Twitter) (Image: KensingtonRoyal/Twitter)

Later, Kate will launch a new three-year campaign, entitled Nursing Now, at St Thomas' Hospital.

Nursing Now aims to support nurses play a greater role in policy decision-making to help countries meet the pressing health challenges.

Kate will visit the Snow Leopard ward at St Thomas' Hospital to learn first-hand about the work the nurses do in caring for children who need help breathing to stay alive.

The nurse-led team trains carers and relatives how to use the children's ventilation equipment to prepare them for going home.

(Image: REUTERS) (Image: PA)

What Kate wore Coat: Jenny Packham Dress: Jenny Packham Shoes: Jimmy Choo 'Georgia' pumps Jewellery: G. Collins & Sons tanzanite pendant necklace & earrings Bag: Stuart Weitzman 'Muse' clutch bag

The campaign is being run as a programme of the Burdett Trust for Nursing, in collaboration with the International Council of Nurses and the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Lord Nigel Crisp, co-chair of the Nursing Now campaign, said: "Our campaign aims to improve health globally by raising the profile and status of nurses worldwide - influencing policymakers and supporting nurses themselves to lead, learn and build a global movement.

"We are delighted to have a patron with such a strong commitment to nursing and a history in her family of volunteer nurses.

We look forward to working with Her Royal Highness as we support nursing and nurses across the world."