The Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton has released three new portraits marking her 40th birthday on Sunday 9th January.
The three new portraits which have been released to celebrate the Duchess’s birthday will be shown in the communities of Berkshire, St Andrews, and Anglesey, as part of the National Portrait Gallery’s nationwide ‘Coming Home’ exhibition, ahead of the Gallery reopening in 2023. The ‘Coming Home’ exhibition is a nationwide initiative that sees portraits of well-known individuals being showcased in places where they are closely associated with.
The images were shared via the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s official Instagram account @dukeandduchessofcambridge in the lead up to Kate’s milestone birthday and showed the intimate and regal black and white shots taken by Italian photographer Paolo Reversi in Kew Gardens. The images will enter the permanent collection at the National Portrait Gallery, of which the Duchess of Cambridge is a royal patron.
In the portraits, the Duchess’s effortless beauty is supplemented by a free-flowing and naturally waved hairstyle and understated make-up. The future Queen radiates an ethereal beauty, and the portraits are said to draw inspiration from 19th-century photography. Her gowns were designed by Alexander McQueen who famously created the lace wedding dress she wore to marry Prince William at Westminster Abbey in 2011. With whimsical and soft features, the three off-the-shoulder dresses are paired with breath-taking pearl-drop and diamond earrings along with a three-strand pearl bracelet, all belonging to Princess Diana.
Reflecting on the experience, commissioned photographer Reversi told Bazar.com: “Taking the portrait of Her Royal Highness, The Duchess of Cambridge, was a true honour for me, and a moment of pure joy. I was moved by her 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. 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. Roversi is one of the most in-demand photographers in the fashion industry today.
Following the release of Kate’s 40th birthday images, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge posted the following statement: “Thank you for all of your very kind birthday wishes, and to Paolo and the National Portrait Gallery for these three special portraits”.
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