On the eve of her 40th birthday, Kensington Palace released three new photos of The Duchess of Cambridge. Now, in a new project, the images are touring the UK in special places close to Kate’s heart, including St Andrew’s.
Lady in red – Duchess of Cambridge wears a statement red McQueen gown for this birthday image
The photographs are currently part of the National Portrait Gallery’s permanent collection. However, they now feature as part of their ‘Coming Home’ exhibition. The project is an initiative which will see the gallery lend portraits of influential people to places with which they are associated.
Catherine’s images were taken at Kew Gardens by Paolo Roversi, and showed Catherine in different formal gowns.
The locations in question have been specifically selected by the Gallery, in consultation with the Duchess.
Kate wears McQueen dresses in her 40th birthday photos
The first black and white photograph captures Catherine seated in a white gown, gazing to the left; this image will tour the county of Berkshire. This location was chosen due to the closeness to the Royal Berkshire Hospital, where Catherine was born, and it is still where her parents live.
Firstly it will be seen at St James the Less Church from 22nd March (yesterday) to 5th April. The church has welcomed Catherine’s family over a number of generations. The photograph will then proceed to Reading Museum from 7th April to 4th June.
The second photograph of Kate dressed in a one-shouldered red gown will be shown at the Wardlaw Museum, University of St Andrews, between 13th June and 30th September. The University holds a special place in Catherine’s heart, as it was she met her future husband, Prince William.
Duchess Kate smiles
The third and final photograph taken shows Catherine in a white dress, smiling straight at the camera. This portrait will be displayed at Anglesey’s Oriel Môn between 16th July and 2nd October. Anglesey was where The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge first lived together in their early years of marriage, whilst William continued his work as an RAF Search and Rescue pilot.
At the time, Roversi said of working with The Duchess of Cambridge: “It was a profound and rich experience for me, an unforgettable moment. I have met a wonderful person, a person who, with her positive energy, can bring hope to the whole world.”
He also said it was a ‘a moment of pure joy’, also commenting on how he was ‘moved’ by Catherine’s ‘warmth and friendly welcome and enchanted by her shining eyes that reflected the loveliness of her soul and her smile showing the generosity of her heart’.
The Duchess of Cambridge has been Patron of the National Portrait Gallery since 2012. It was one of the first patronages taken on after her marriage to Prince William, recognising her interest in photography and portraiture.
