Kate's date with the Fostering Network

Kate had a very important date in London this evening as she gave her support to the Fostering Network award. The Duchess of Cambridge tooktea tea with nominees and handed out some of the prizes. But were her words on stage enough to be classed as a speech?

The Duchess of Cambridge takes tea with some of those nominated at the Fostering Network Awards which were presented in London on November 17th 2015

(photo Kensington Royal Instagram)

The annual awards celebrate the work of foster carers, social workers and young people themselves and among the prizes that Kate handed over was the Fostering Achievement Award won by Adam Howlett, Emily Bowyer and Sian Connolly. Helping the duchess celebrate was TV star, Holly Willougby, who later described Kate as 'wonderful'.

Also had the pleasure of having tea with Duchess of Cambridge @fosteringnet #TFNAwards She was just wonderful! X pic.twitter.com/KJdP1XtYlf

— Holly Willoughby (@hollywills) November 17, 2015

But while the focus of this special evening were the carers and young people whose work was being celebrated, there was debate about whether Kate had made a speech or not. The duchess took to the mic to say that 'it is wonderful to meet so many inspiring people involved in the incredibly important world of fostering'. Whether or not it is long enough to count as a speech, the sentiment was shared by many.

View image | gettyimages.com

The Duchess of Cambridge spent several hours meeting many of those involved in fostering. And it is an important issue which Kate has chosen to highlight - this year, over 8,000 foster families were needed in the UK. Kate helped put a spotlight on the work of the Fostering Network earlier this year in a visit to the organisation but her latest, high profile link to Fostering Network has ensured that this issue gets more of the attention it so needs and the praise it deserves.