Royals How Kate Middleton's First Patronage Visit – Back in 2012! – Compares to Meghan Markle's Let's take a closer look at the two duchesses By Stephanie Petit Stephanie Petit Stephanie Petit is a Royals Editor, Writer and Reporter at PEOPLE. People Editorial Guidelines Published on January 10, 2019 11:02 AM Share Tweet Pin Email Meghan Markle crossed off another royal milestone when she visited Smart Works on Thursday, marking her first patronage outing. Nearly seven years ago, sister-in-law Kate Middleton similarly made her own debut championing her charitable causes. Kate’s first royal patronage was announced in Oct. 2011, when she joined husband Prince William and brother-in-law Prince Harry at The Royal Foundation. It wasn’t until Jan. 2012 that she revealed she would be a patron of four charities: East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices, the Art Room, the National Portrait Gallery and the Scout Association. The announcement came at the beginning of the first new year following her royal wedding, just like Meghan. In Feb. 2012, Kate made her first patronage visit to the National Portrait Gallery for a private viewing of the works of artist Lucian Freud. She chose a grey double-breasted dress cinched at the waist by a belt for the occasion. Every Photo from Meghan Markle’s Visit to Her New Patronage – Her First Outing of 2019! Kate Middleton in Feb. 2012. Jorge Herrera/WireImage Kate Middleton in Feb. 2012. Jorge Herrera/WireImage Like Meghan, Kate made a solo appearance as she learned about the exhibition. The two sisters-in-law share something else in common: both chose patronages that blend their personal interests with charity work. Kate studied art history at the University of St. Andrew’s, where she met her future husband, and has used her interest in photography to capture some of the sweetest portraits of her three children. Meanwhile, it’s no surprise that Meghan, a vocal feminist, chose an organization focused on helping women regain the skills and confidence to find jobs after unemployment. Meghan Markle. Clodagh Kilcoyne - WPA Pool/Getty Images Can’t get enough of PEOPLE’s Royals coverage? Sign up for our newsletterto get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more! Although Kate, who celebrated her 37th birthday on Wednesday, has since taken on many more patronages aligned with her interests in children’s well-being, sports and art since 2012, she and Meghan both initially announced four charitable organization that they would back in their royal lives. Meghan Markle. Clodagh Kilcoyne - WPA Pool/Getty Images The other patronages that were announced on Thursday for Meghan, 37, are the National Theatre, The Association of Commonwealth Universities and the animal welfare charity Mayhew. They are all national and grassroot organizations “that are part of the fabric of the U.K,” the palace said.