Kate, Princess of Wales has arrived in central London to reopen the National Portrait Gallery after the art centre underwent three years of extensive refurbishment work. Her patronage of the Gallery is a touching nod to her university days, where she studied Art History at St Andrew’s. The royal’s visit comes ahead of the Gallery officially reopening to the public on June 22 following its most transformative redevelopment project since 1896, with over 50 new acquisitions and a renovation of the Grade I listed building.
Get the latest royal news straight to your phone by joining our Whatsapp community!
The Princess dazzled onlookers in a white Self Portrait dress with black details and matching black Aquazurra heels.
Upon arrival, the Princess met with the project architect Jamie Fobert and artist Tracey Emin on the forecourt, with the latter being commissioned to create an artwork for the Gallery’s new doors, incorporating 45 carved brass panels, representing ‘every woman, throughout time’.
Kate has also been shown around The Mildred and Simon Palley Learning Centre, which has been a crucial part of the building’s redevelopment.
In conjunction with her interest in early years learning Kate was filmed interacting with nursery children, including three-year-old Rania, for a multi-sensory workshop focussing on the works of Beatrix Potter as part of the gallery’s under five’s programme.
Kate chatted sweetly to the little girl and her family about Peter Rabbit, one of Beatrix Potter’s most famous and beloved characters.
The programme launched in September having been developed in partnership with local family hubs and nurseries, and hopes to encourage creative learning and playing in the Gallery.
The Princess of Wales has also been viewing some of the Gallery’s newest acquisitions, including ‘Portrait of Mai (Omai)’ by Joshua Reynolds, a highly regarded artist.
READ MORE: All the king’s horses – A look back on the royals and the turf
The sought-after portrait was jointly acquired by the Gallery and Getty this year after a historic campaign to raise the funds, with both institutions agreeing to share the painting to maximise access for the public and maintain research and conservation care.
Kate saw the new exhibition ‘Yevonde: Life in Colour’ which highlights the life and work of pioneering London photographer Yevonde who promoted the use of colour in her pictures in the 1930s.
One portrait that will no longer be on display is one of Princes William and Harry, which was painted in 2010 by artist Nicky Philipps.
It depicts the two princes, both in their 20s at the time, wearing the dress uniform of the Blue and Royals.
They sat for the portrait at the artist’s home in South Kensington, with Ms Philipps recalling they were “so sweet, so close.”
One of Kate’s other patronages has also been in focus this week, as East Anglian Children’s Hospices mark Children Hospices Week.
The Princess penned a touching open letter to the charity thanking them for their tireless efforts to support seriously ill children and their families.
