The Duchess of Cambridge didn't seem to hit any turbulence flying solo on her first official royal appearance without hunky pilot-husband Prince William by her side.
The Kate-formerly-known-as-Middleton previewed an exhibit at London's National Portrait Gallery Wednesday night. Prince William is in the Falklands on a six-week deployment with his Royal Air Force search-and-rescue team.
A Duchess Alone
It’s not like Catherine's been banished to the castle basement whilst her husband’s away … but she was under the microscope on this outing. Yes, you’d think by now that ANY 30-year-old educated woman could handle a business outing without a date. But this was "The Firm"'s newest member, and royal-watchers were anxious to make sure the Duchess could maintain her trademark casual grace and keep up proper appearances without Wills there for back-up.
Was the Palace embarrassed?
Surprise, surprise … by all reports, Kate did great! The media was allowed to film her entry and exit, along with a few handshake hellos. HLN’s royal correspondent Max Foster says the night went well for the Duchess. Foster says, “She’s being eased in slowly to this new public role … and hopes are now high for a more ambitious visit by her to a hospital in Liverpool next week.”
Britain's famous National Portrait Gallery is one of the charities singled out by the Duchess to receive her royal patronage. Foster says the world-famous museum is a great pet cause for Kate, who studied art history at St. Andrews University, where she also met her husband.
A Freudian Trip
The Duchess visited the Gallery to preview a new Lucian Freud exhibit. Freud, who died last year, was Britain's most celebrated modern portrait artist. And yes, he was also Sigmund’s grandson. The painter was known for lush, fleshly (mostly nekked) revealing works of friends and family. He also painted a controversial portrait of Kate’s own mum-in-law, but the (fully-clothed) portrait of Queen Elizabeth isn’t among the more than 100 works in this show. The exhibit opens to the public in London Thursday, then travels to The Modern Art Museum in Fort Worth, Texas, for a July opening.
Blah, blah, ART, blah, blah … WHAT WAS SHE WEARING??!!!
No surprise, Kate’s outfit was as analyzed as the artwork. Most reviews agree that she looked stunning (surprise again) in a retro-chic gray coat dress with a shawl collar. The Palace confirms the dress was by Jesiré, and you can bet K-Middy fashionistas have ensured it's already sold out. Everywhere. For a long time. If you want more details on Kate's royal accessories, check out the What Kate Wore blog, where you'll find shopping info and history on everything from her diamond necklace to her sky-high black heels. It will all be sold out before the page loads.
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