Princess Kate headed to Trafalgar Square on Tuesday, a stone’s throw away from Buckingham Palace, to reopen the iconic National Portrait Gallery, after an extensive three-year refurbishment programme.
During her visit, The Princess of Wales, who is a patron of the historic landmark, will meet with Jamie Fobert, Project Architect, and award-winning artist Tracey Emin, who was commissioned to create artwork for the Gallery’s new doors, incorporating 45 carved brass panels and representing ‘every woman, throughout time’.
© Samir HusseinKate looked ravishing for her visit, opting to wear an ivory A-line chiffon skirt which she paired with a matching structured jacket in the same icy hue. Adding a chic dynamic to the glamorous look, the jacket was adorned with black lining around each hem and pocket. The slick top half also featured black buttons running down along the centre. Watch the moment she arrived in the video below.
The Princess completed her look with a pair of elegant black stilettos which were adorned with ribbon-like embellishments on the back. As for her hair, Kate wore her brunette tresses down in elegant curls, perfectly positioned behind her ears. Kate’s flawless makeup look was comprised of lashes of fluttery mascara, rosy blusher and deep nude lipstick.
As for accessories, Kate opted for a glitzy quadruple-dropped pearl design, elegantly pulling her monochrome ensemble together. The royal has had a penchant for monochrome in recent days opting for a chic polka dot ensemble at the weekend, see the details here.
© Samir HusseinKate has continually proven her dedication to early years education with her project Shaping Us, so it comes as no surprise she will spend time learning about the new Under 5’s programme the gallery will launch in September.
© Stuart C. WilsonThe special programme was developed in partnership with the London Borough of Westminster family hubs and local state nurseries, which will welcome families from the local community to the Gallery and encourage creative learning, play and exploration. The Princess will hear about the Gallery’s new Under 5’s Programme, before joining nursery children taking part in a multi-sensory workshop focussed on the world of Beatrix Potter.
The Princess will also get a chance to look at a number of new acquisitions the gallery has acquired, including Joshua Reynolds’ Portrait of Mai (Omai). She will also get an opportunity to view a brand new exhibition, Yevonde: Life and Colour, which explores the life and career of Yevonde, the pioneering London photographer who spearheaded the use of colour photography in the 1930s.
The Princess took her time to admire Tracey’s incredible work, as you can see in the image below.
© Samir HusseinThe incredible overhaul of the tourist hotspot has seen more than 50 new acquisitions and the restoration of the Grade I listed building. The Gallery will reopen to members of the public on Thursday 22nd June.
Kate last visited the gallery before its closure in 2020. During her visit, she viewed an incredible portrait of Captain Tom Moore. During Lockdown, Kate also launched the Hold Still community photography project.
Hold Still aims to capture the spirit, the mood, the hopes, the fears and the feelings of the nation during the coronavirus pandemic. The project focuses on three core themes – Helpers and Heroes, Your New Normal and Acts of Kindness. Before the pandemic struck in 2020, Kate also visited the gallery’s Hospital Programme at Evelina Children’s Hospital.
