Kate Middleton looked ready for business in a £190 Michael Kors shirt dress

The Duchess of Cambridge looked ready for business in a designer shirt dress as she shadowed staff at a London hospital last month, photos released today reveal. 

Kate Middleton, 37, was typically polished in the £190 purple-patterned Michael Kors as she met staff during her two-day visit to the maternity unit at Kingston Hospital. 

She added a little glitz to her ensemble with £2,300 Kiki McDonough diamond earrings – the leaf-shaped, Lauren style pair are a firm favourite with the mother-of-three, having been worn by Kate at several engagements. 

Photos of her outfit from the unannounced engagement were released tonight, alongside details of her work. 

Perfectly polished: Kate Middleton, 37, donned a £190 Michael Kors as she met staff during her two-day visit to the maternity unit at Kingston Hospital, photos released today reveal

Beaming: Photos of her outfit from the unannounced engagement were released tonight, alongside details of her work. Pictured, Kate shares a joke with hospital staff during a break

Beaming: Photos of her outfit from the unannounced engagement were released tonight, alongside details of her work. Pictured, Kate shares a joke with hospital staff during a break

Touch of sparkle: Kate added a little glitz to her ensemble with £2,300 Kiki McDonough diamond earrings - the leaf-shaped, Lauren style pair are a firm favourite with the royal

Touch of sparkle: Kate added a little glitz to her ensemble with £2,300 Kiki McDonough diamond earrings – the leaf-shaped, Lauren style pair are a firm favourite with the royal

Glitz: The earrings, pictured, have been worn by the Duchess on a number of occasions

Glitz: The earrings, pictured, have been worn by the Duchess on a number of occasions 

News that the royal spent time with nurses at the hospital first emerged at the end of November. 

The new images show the Duchess was typically polished for the community outing, which has been described as ‘work experience’.

She plumped for a flattering shirt dress by American designer Michael Kors which featured an eye-catching geometric print. 

The frock was similar to the £215 design by the label that she wore to take Prince George, six, and Princess Charlotte, four, to the first day of school in September. 

Accentuating her svelte frame, the Duchess accessorised with a narrow black waist belt. 

Demure Duchess: Kate looked smart for the community outing, which has been described as 'work experience'. The Duchess  is seen crouching over a baby in a cot as parents look on

Demure Duchess: Kate looked smart for the community outing, which has been described as ‘work experience’. The Duchess  is seen crouching over a baby in a cot as parents look on

Passion project: Kate (pictured speaking to staff) told midwives their work is of 'fundamental importance' to the early years development of children

Passion project: Kate (pictured speaking to staff) told midwives their work is of ‘fundamental importance’ to the early years development of children

She finished the look with a pair of practical black tights and what appear to be a pair of black boots. 

Kate wore her bouncy brunette locks styled in her signature side parting and opted for minimal makeup as she sported a simple smokey eye. 

Four pictures of the duchess were released by Kensington Palace to show her time with the midwives, and in one image Kate is pictured crouching over a baby in a cot as the infant’s parents watch, while in others she is seen meeting staff. 

It comes after the duchess praised the country’s midwives for their ‘amazing work bringing new life into our world’ in an open letter to the profession.

Wardrobe favourite: Kate wore the £2,300 Kiki McDonough diamond earrings to the King's Cup Sailing Race on the Isle of Wight in August, pictured

Wardrobe favourite: Kate wore the £2,300 Kiki McDonough diamond earrings to the King’s Cup Sailing Race on the Isle of Wight in August, pictured

Lookalike: The frock was similar to the £215 design by the label that she wore to take Prince George, six, and Princess Charlotte, four, to the first day of school in September

Lookalike: The frock was similar to the £215 design by the label that she wore to take Prince George, six, and Princess Charlotte, four, to the first day of school in September

Kate told midwives their work is of ‘fundamental importance’ to the early years development of children – an issue she has been raising awareness about for a number of years.

The duchess revealed she took part in home visits with midwives during the two days she spent shadowing staff at Kingston Hospital’s maternity unit. 

In the letter, published ahead of the start of 2020 designated Year of the Nurse and Midwife, Kate said: ‘You are there for women at their most vulnerable; you witness strength, pain and unimaginable joy on a daily basis. 

‘Your work often goes on behind the scenes, and away from the spotlight. Recently however, I was privileged enough to witness a small section of it first hand, spending several days at Kingston Hospital’s maternity unit.

‘Although this was not my first encounter with the care and kindness provided by midwives across the country, it gave me a broader insight into the true impact you have on everybody you help.’ 

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk