Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visit Cambridgeshire as first official joint portrait is released

The first official joint portrait of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge has been unveiled today to mark the couple’s visit to Cambridgeshire to celebrate the county.

On their first stop of the day, Kate, wearing a recycled blue LK Bennett patterned dress, and William, both 40, visited the University of Cambridge’s Fitzwilliam Museum, where they viewed the painted portrait of themselves as it was revealed to the public for the first time. 

The artwork captures Kate looking ethereal in a £1,595 emerald gown by The Vampire’s Wife, which she first wore during a historic three-day visit to Dublin in March 2020. Sporting £875 Manolo Blahnik green satin pumps, she is seen posing with her arm wrapped around a dapper William, who is dressed in a sharp suit with a blue tie.

Painted by award-winning British portrait artist Jamie Coreth, the piece was commissioned in 2021 by the Cambridgeshire Royal Portrait Fund, held by the Cambridge Community Foundation, as a gift to Cambridgeshire.

After viewing the portrait, the Duke and Duchess then met with supporters of the project including the artist and Lady Sibyl Marshall – the wife of the late Sir Michael Marshall, who originally proposed the idea to create the portrait. 

Members of the public will be able to view the portrait at the 206-year-old Fitzwilliam Museum for an initial period of three years, after which the artwork will be exhibited in other community spaces and galleries around Cambridgeshire. 

The first official joint portrait (pictured) of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge has been unveiled today to mark the couple's visit to Cambridgeshire to celebrate the county

The first official joint portrait (pictured right) of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge has been unveiled today to mark the couple’s visit to Cambridgeshire to celebrate the county. On their first stop of the day, Kate, wearing a blue patterned dress, and William, both 40, visited the University of Cambridge’s Fitzwilliam Museum, left

The first official joint artwork captures Kate looking ethereal in a £1,595 glittering emerald gown by trendy designer The Vampire's Wife, which she first wore during a historic three-day visit to Dublin in March 2020 (pictured)

The first official joint artwork captures Kate looking ethereal in a £1,595 glittering emerald gown by trendy designer The Vampire’s Wife, which she first wore during a historic three-day visit to Dublin in March 2020 (pictured)

Stunning: Kate appeared radiant in a multi-coloured dress teamed with a blue coat while attending the outing with William

Stunning: Kate appeared radiant in a multi-coloured dress teamed with a blue coat while attending the outing with William

The Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William departing the Fitzwilliam Museum during an official visit to Cambridgeshire

The Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William departing the Fitzwilliam Museum during an official visit to Cambridgeshire

All in the details! Kate teamed the patterned midi frock with a matching blue longline coat, coordinating high heels and a clutch bag

Kate during the visit to the University of Cambridge's Fitzwilliam Museum

All in the details! Kate teamed the patterned midi frock with a matching blue longline coat, coordinating high heels and a clutch bag

For today’s outing, Kate showcased her thrifty side once again by recycling a flowing ‘Madison’ dress from one of her go-to brands LK Bennett, which she previously wore when heading to a London restaurant.

She teamed the patterned midi frock with a matching blue longline coat, coordinating high heels and a clutch bag, while also opting for dainty drop earrings. 

William said, after looking at the painting: ‘It’s quite big.’ He told Coreth it was ‘amazing’.

The Duke and Duchess both studied history of art at St Andrews University, though William later switched to geography.

William said in a Big Issue Q&A session published this week to mark his 40th birthday: ‘I studied a bit of art history at university. Had to give it up. I kept falling asleep in the lectures. Terrible.

‘We did a lot of Renaissance, which was amazing. But then once we got into modern art, I started to get a bit dozy.”

The Duchess of Cambridge oozed elegance when appearing alongside the Duke at the University of Cambridge's Fitzwilliam Museum

Looking good! Kate put her best fashion foot forward for the outing

The Duchess of Cambridge oozed elegance when appearing alongside the Duke at the University of Cambridge’s Fitzwilliam Museum

Thrifty Kate strikes again! The Duchess recycled a flowing 'Madison' dress from LK Bennett for today's engagements

Thrifty Kate strikes again! The Duchess recycled a flowing ‘Madison’ dress from LK Bennett for today’s engagements

The look of love! Kate seemingly couldn't help but smile when looking at her husband, Prince William, this morning

The look of love! Kate seemingly couldn’t help but smile when looking at her husband, Prince William, this morning

Co-ordinated couple! The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge matched their outfits

William wore a blue shirt to complement his wife's dress

Co-ordinated couple! The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge matched their outfits, with William wearing a blue shirt to complement his wife’s dress

For today’s outing, Kate showcased her thrifty side once again by recycling a flowing ‘Madison’ dress from one of her go-to brands LK Bennett, which she previously wore when heading to a London restaurant

For today’s outing, Kate showcased her thrifty side once again by recycling a flowing ‘Madison’ dress from one of her go-to brands LK Bennett, which she previously wore when heading to a London restaurant 

After viewing the portrait, the Duke and Duchess (pictured meeting guests) then met with supporters of the project including the artist and Lady Sibyl Marshall - the wife of the late Sir Michael Marshall, who originally proposed the idea to create the portrait

After viewing the portrait, the Duke and Duchess (pictured meeting guests) then met with supporters of the project including the artist and Lady Sibyl Marshall – the wife of the late Sir Michael Marshall, who originally proposed the idea to create the portrait

The painting – which incorporates Cambridge thanks to the background filled with tones and colours of many of the historical stone buildings that are synonymous with the city – will also be loaned to the National Portrait Gallery for a short time in 2023 to mark the Gallery’s reopening.

Whilst on display at the Fitzwilliam, the Cambridgeshire Royal Portrait Fund will continue to work with the museum to ensure the portrait is used as a means of encouraging children and young people of all backgrounds from across the county to take an interest in art in all its forms. 

The Fitzwilliam Museum has an international reputation for the quality of its learning and inclusion programmes, working with Early Years providers, local schools and community outreach programmes to maximise impact and enrich the lives of young people and their families.

Artist Jamie Coreth said: ‘It has been the most extraordinary privilege of my life to be chosen to paint this picture. I wanted to show Their Royal Highnesses in a manner where they appeared both relaxed and approachable, as well as elegant and dignified. 

‘As it is the first portrait to depict them together, and specifically during their time as The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, I wanted the image to evoke a feeling of balance between their public and private lives. 

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge chat to schoolchildren when at the Fitzwilliam Museum today in Cambridge

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge chat to schoolchildren when at the Fitzwilliam Museum today in Cambridge

Father-of-three William (pictured right) said, after looking at the painting: ‘It's quite big.’ He told Coreth it was ‘amazing’

Father-of-three William (pictured right) said, after looking at the painting: ‘It’s quite big.’ He told Coreth it was ‘amazing’

The Duke and Duchess (pictured together) both studied history of art at St Andrews University, though William later switched to geography

The Duke and Duchess (pictured together) both studied history of art at St Andrews University, though William later switched to geography

Kate paired her statement garment with a matching blue longline coat, while also opting for dainty drop earrings

The royal looked stylish as she joined William for the outing

Kate paired her statement garment with a matching blue longline coat, while also opting for dainty drop earrings

‘The piece was commissioned as a gift for the people of Cambridgeshire, and I hope they will enjoy it as much as I have enjoyed creating it.’

Artist Jamie, who graduated from Oxford University in 2010, has previously been commissioned by Princess Anne. 

Kate and William’s visit to Cambridgeshire will also champion the work of key local charitable organisations, linked to the couple’s longstanding interests, in particular homelessness and supporting families.

To celebrate the very best of Cambridgeshire, the Duke and Duchess will visit the first ever Cambridgeshire County Day at the July Racecourse, Newmarket.

Comprising of 120 exhibitors from Cambridgeshire businesses, charity, community and public sectors, the couple will visit a number of stalls and meet members of the public. 

The County Day will also celebrate The Platinum Jubilee year of the Queen. During the day there will be performances and demonstrations by choirs, bands and dancers as well as showcases from organisations including blue light services, local charities, and voluntary groups. 

Kate and William will also see leading small and large businesses who are delivering innovations in areas such as medicine and science. 

Kate made the most of the pleasant weather by donning a long, lightweight coat as she attended the event in Cambridgeshire today

Kate made the most of the pleasant weather by donning a long, lightweight coat as she attended the event in Cambridgeshire today

During the trip, the couple were snapped talking with local schoolchildren while they were leaving the Fitzwilliam Museum

During the trip, the couple were snapped talking with local schoolchildren while they were leaving the Fitzwilliam Museum

The Duchess of Cambridge was photographed looking pensive during the trip today, as she and husband Prince William engaged with children outside the museum

The Duchess of Cambridge was photographed looking pensive during the trip today, as she and husband Prince William engaged with children outside the museum

The Duchess paired dainty diamond drop earrings with her outfit, and natural, pared down make-up, for a look that was fresh and chic

The Duchess paired dainty diamond drop earrings with her outfit, and natural, pared down make-up, for a look that was fresh and chic

Who is Jamie Coreth: the artist behind the Cambridge’s portrait who ‘focuses on the character of his sitters’

 Jamie Coreth, an award-winning artist, is considered one of Britain’s leading portrait painters.

After graduating from Oxford in 2010 ,with a degree in Archaeology and Anthropology, he studied at the London Atelier of Representational Art and the Florence Academy of Art.

Jamie graduated from the Academy in 2014, after both studying there and at the same time,  working as an Art History lecturer and assistant tutor.

He was awarded the Young Artist Award at the BP Portrait Awards at the National Portrait Gallery in London in June 2016, for his portrait Dad Sculpting Me, a painting which depicts Jamie’s father, the sculptor Mark Coreth, sculpting Jamie.  

Two years later, in 2018, Jamie’s portrait of former soldier turned sculptor Mark Jackson, titled Broken Bodies, was accepted into the BP Portrait Exhibition. 

He was shortlisted for the BP Portrait Award in 2020, for his piece Portrait of Fatima, which was used for the cover of the catalogue and the National Portrait Gallery’s marketing campaign.

According to the artist’s website, he ‘paints with an intelligence and originality. He focuses on the character of his sitters, evoking a sense of their presence in his work. His technical facility sits in harmony with a modern vision’.

 

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