The Duchess of Cambridge cemented her place in Britain's royal family by taking on her first patronage¹ roles since her marriage to Prince William...and became Scouting's newest volunteer.

英国剑桥公爵夫人凯特自从嫁给威廉王子后，近日首次承担起志愿工作，成为童子军的最新志愿者，巩固了自己在英国王室的地位。

The duchess, a former Brownie, will help out local cub³ and beaver⁴ packs in Wales, perhaps in activities such as games, teaching first aid or cooking on campfires, the Scout² Association said.

Britain's Queen Elizabeth is the royal patron（赞助人） of the Scouts⁵.

Other causes to be supported by the woman, who married the second-in-line to the British throne last April in a glittering ceremony watched by millions of people around the world, include charities working with young people.

"The Duchess's new roles reflect Her Royal Highness's wish to support the Royal Family's work in highlighting important causes in the charitable and voluntary sector⁶ and the arts," a statement from St. James' Palace said on Thursday.

The 29-year-old Catherine received hundreds of requests from charities hoping to benefit from the cachet（优良品质） and glamour⁷ associated with the former commoner whose fairytale romance and marriage to William has been avidly⁸ documented by the press.

The British media have singled out her decision to become patron of charities who work with young people, some who suffer from behavioral problems or terminal illnesses, as a sign she will follow in the footsteps of her husband's late mother Diana, Princess of Wales.

St. James' Palace said her choices, made after private research and visits, reflected her personal interests and complemented⁹ the charitable work already undertaken by William.

She will be patron of four bodies including Action on Addiction¹⁰, which works to free people from drug and alcohol addiction, and East Anglia's Children's Hospices in eastern England.

The Art Room helps children, often withdrawn¹¹, disruptive or disengaged from mainstream¹² education, to achieve greater self-esteem and independence through art.

The palace said the duchess has volunteered to help the Scouts near her home in north Wales where William is an RAF search and rescue helicopter pilot.

Supporting charities is a key role for members of the British monarchy¹³.