The Duchess of Cambridge said now is a good time to visit the UK’s art galleries and museums because they are not ‘full of tourists’ as she visited the V&A on a bumper day of royal news and engagements.
Kate, 39, who studied art history at university and is royal patron of the V&A, viewed two new exhibitions as the London museum opened its doors to the public for the first since December.
The royal debuted a new £1,565 houndstooth dress from favourite designer Alessandra Rich on the solo outing, accessorising with a pair of £550 Jennifer Chamandi suede pumps and a black clutch bag.
Giving a masterclass in daytime glamour, Kate wore her bouncy brunette locks swept over one shoulder and finished the look with delicate gold necklaces and £17 earrings from & Other Stories.
Speaking to staff at the end of the visit she said: ‘I think people have been craving beauty and inspiration. It’s going to be a good time to visit museums and galleries as they are not full of tourists coming in.’
She added: ‘I am very glad to be here today as we have had to cancel three previous visits because of COVID, so it’s nice to be here.’
The visit came as Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall continued their tour of Northern Ireland and the Queen hosted a virtual audience via videolink from Windsor Castle.
Meanwhile Prince William’s cousin Princess Beatrice announced she is expecting her first child with Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi this autumn. It is also the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s third wedding anniversary.
Royal patron: Kate Middleton, 39, who studied art history at university, viewed two new exhibitions as the London museum opened its doors to the public for the first time this year. Pictured, with V&A director Tristram Hunt
The Duchess firstly visited the museum’s Raphael Court, home to the Raphael Cartoons, which reopened today following a nine-month refurbishment to mark the 500th anniversary of the artist’s death
The royal opted for a £1,565 houndstooth dress from favourite designer Alessandra Rich for the solo outing, accessorising with a pair of classic pumps and a clutch bag. She was given a tour by V&A director Tristram Hunt, a former Labour MP
Kate also visited the V&A’s landmark 2021 exhibition Alice: Curiouser and Curiouser, ahead of its opening this weekend
The Duchess of Cambridge was given a tour of the museum by director and former Labour MP Tristram Hunt.
Her first stop was the museum’s Raphael Court, home to the Raphael Cartoons, which reopened today following a nine-month refurbishment to mark the 500th anniversary of the artist’s death.
A set of seven full-scale designs for tapestry painted by Raphael, the Cartoons were commissioned in 1515 by Pope Leo X for the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel and are considered to be one of the greatest treasures of the Renaissance.
During the visit, Her Royal Highness heard more about how the refreshed gallery and its new interpretive approach will transform the way visitors experience the Raphael Cartoons.
The Cartoons have been lent to the V&A from the Royal Collection by Her Majesty The Queen.
The highlight of her visit, however was the V&A’s landmark 2021 exhibition Alice: Curiouser and Curiouser, which finally opens this weekend after being postponed from last year.
Featuring over 300 objects spanning film, performance, fashion, art, music and photography, the exhibition will allow visitors to delve into the origins, adaptations and reinventions of Alice in Wonderland over 158 years.
The immersive exhibition makes the V&A the first museum to fully explore the cultural impact of the book and its ongoing inspiration for leading creatives, from Salvador Dalí and Yayoi Kusama to The Beatles and Vivienne Westwood.
Daytime glamour: The Duchess of Cambridge wore her brunette locks swept over one shoulder
Passionate: The Duchess of Cambridge chatted with Tristram Hunt as he gave her a tour of the V&A today
Kate views the Alice: Curiouser and Curiouser exhibition at the V&A. Featuring over 300 objects spanning film, performance, fashion, art, music and photography, the exhibition will allow visitors to delve into the origins, adaptations and reinventions of Alice in Wonderland over 158 years
Kate seemed particularly animated as she viewed an interactive Mat Hatters’ Tea Party.
After touring the exhibitions, Her Royal Highness met a small group of museum staff who spoke about their experiences of working during a particularly challenging time for the museum sector.
She was firstly introduced to Tony Ryan, from the technical services team and was told he recently had the task of carefully moving Canova’s The Three Graces down to its new position in the museum’s sculpture gallery.
‘That’s some responsibility!’ joked the duchess.
Niede Gentelini, from visitor experiences, told her: ‘The museum is this beautiful because to the collections, it is the soul of the museum. We are very happy to welcome you. People have been craving art.’
Kate replied: ‘Yes I think people have been craving beauty and inspiration. It’s going to be a good time to visit museums and galleries as they are not full of tourists coming in,’ the duchess said.
She added: ‘I am very glad to be here today as we have had to cancel three previous visits because of COVID, so it’s nice to be here.’
Speaking after the visit, Kate Bailey, senior curator at the V&A, said the duchess had seemed thrilled by her visit.
‘She clearly has a great knowledge of art history and I think it’s just so appropriate that she was here, among the first members of the public to come in, as our royal patron,’ she said.
‘As we were leaving she said how important it was to be here in the now and reflected on how the exhibition was multi-sensory, which is probably what people need now after months of lockdown.’
The Prince of Wales, 72, sported his signature pinstriped suit and looked delighted to meet well-wishers in the town as he set aside any concerns arising from his son Prince Harry’s explosive string of interviews with US broadcasters
The Duchess of Cornwall during a visit to Bangor Market where she walked around and meeting stall holders at the open-air market
Prince Charles inspects produce from a fishmonger at the local market as he tours Northern Ireland
Charles heard about how the local council has restored the site and spoke to several stall holders about their products
Camilla kept her hair in a loose blowdry as she sported an emerald green coat, knee length black boots and a black jacket for the day out.
Meanwhile Prince Charles and Camilla met traders in an open air market in Bangor, Northern Ireland.
The Prince of Wales, 72, sported his signature pinstriped suit and looked delighted to meet well-wishers in the town as he set aside any concerns arising from his son Prince Harry’s explosive string of interviews with US broadcasters.
The couple were greeted by local schoolchildren from Bangor Central Integrated Primary School and Bangor Central Nursery School as they arrived in the seaside town on Wednesday.
They were welcomed by the Mayor of Ards and North Down, Trevor Cummings, before taking time to talk to the children and a large number of well-wishers who had gathered.
They then toured the town’s market, which is in its 97th year, and met with various stallholders while inspecting the range of locally sourced produce on sale.
Charles heard about how the local council has restored the site and spoke to several stall holders about their products.
Earlier in the day Charles and Camilla met with staff at Hillsborough Castle and signed the visitors’ book before leaving.
The Queen has also carried out an engagement today, appearing via videolink from Windsor Castle to receive the Argentine Ambassador, who was at Buckingham Palace.
The Queen has also carried out an engagement today, appearing via videolink from Windsor Castle to receive the Argentine Ambassador, who was at Buckingham Palace
Javier Esteban Figueroa, the Argentine Ambassador, was joined by Minister Alessandra Viggiano Marra
The visits came as Princess Beatrice announced she is expecting her first child with husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi.
The couple, who tied the knot last year, are expecting the baby in autumn 2021, Buckingham Palace announced this morning.
The Queen and both families are said to be ‘delighted’ with the news, which will have brought much joy to the monarch who is mourning the loss of her husband Prince Philip, who died last month aged 99.
Princess Eugenie’s baby will be the second grandchild for Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson and the Queen’s 12th great-grandchild following the arrival of Prince Harry and Meghan’s Markle’s second child in the summer.
Beatrice’s baby boy or girl will be born 11th in line to the throne, but although their mother is a princess, he or she will not have a royal title.
It came as Princess Beatrice announced she is expecting her first child with husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi. The couple, who tied the knot last year, are expecting the baby in autumn 2021, Buckingham Palace announced this morning
The Queen has been informed and both families are delighted with the news, Buckingham Palace announced this morning (pictured)
Princess Beatrice revealed that she is pregnant with her first child on the Sussexes’ third wedding anniversary – after the couple angered the Yorks by announcing they were expecting at Princess Eugenie’s wedding. Pictured, with her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi enjoying lunch al Fresco with a friend in Notting Hill, West London on 9 May
Only grandchildren of the monarch through the male line are automatically entitled to the styling of HRH. This means he or she will be plain Master or Miss Mapelli Mozzi.
The Queen could bestow a title on her great-grandchild if desired, but it is unlikely to be asked for.
Some fans claimed the couple deliberately timed the announcement to coincide with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s third wedding anniversary today, after they shared their pregnancy news at Princess Eugenie’s wedding.
In their explosive book Royals At War, investigative journalists Dylan Howard and Andy Tillett claimed Meghan Markle ’embarrassed’ Prince Harry after divulging she was pregnant during Princess Eugenie’s wedding day ‘in a huge social gaffe’ which left the bride and her mother Sarah Ferguson ‘furious’.
‘Meghan put her foot in it when she decided that it would be the ideal moment to announce that she and Harry were expecting their first child,’ the pair wrote.
‘This was a huge social gaffe, even if you were not a royal – stealing the limelight from Eugenie, who was furious, as was her mother, Sarah.’
The authors claim the announcement left Prince Harry, who is living in Montecito, California, with his wife and son, feeling ‘embarrassed’.
Princess Beatrice became an aunt earlier this year when her sister Eugenie gave birth to her first child, August with husband Jack Brooksbank on 9 February.
The royal was last seen being accompanied by her mother Sarah Ferguson as she drove away from Windsor castle in her personalised Range Rover on 15 May.
Princess Beatrice looked relaxed as she chatted away at the table while checking out her friend’s phone, who appeared to be showing the couple an image.
The royal was also spotted strolling through London on 4 May and concealed any hint of a baby bump by wrapping up warm in a brown coat with a black tie up belt.
Princess Eugenie’s baby will be the second grandchild for Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson and the Queen’s 12th great-grandchild following the arrival of Prince Harry and Meghan’s Markle’s second child in the summer. Pictured, line of succession
Beatrice’s blended family: How the princess will raise her baby alongside stepson Wolfie – and can seek advice from aunt Princess Anne whose children are close with their half-sister
By Stephanie Linning
Princess Beatrice will become one of the few royal mothers to raise children in a blended family when she welcomes her son or daughter this year.
The Queen’s granddaughter, 32, and her property developer husband Edo Mapelli Mozzi, 38, announced today they are expecting their first child together this autumn.
Edo already has a five-year-old son Christopher Woolf, known as Wolfie, with ex-fiancé Dara Huang. American architect Dara remains on good terms with her ex and his new wife and Beatrice is a hands on stepmother.
However if Beatrice does need any advice on navigating the complex family dynamics, she doesn’t have far to look for inspiration and guidance.
roud father: Edo already has a five-year-old son Christopher Woolf, known as Wolfie, with ex-fiancé Dara Huang. American architect Dara remains on good terms with her ex and his new wife and Beatrice is a hands on stepmother to Wolfie. Pictured, at Wolfie’s 2016 Christening
Happy news! The Queen’s granddaughter, 32, and her property developer husband Edo Mapelli Mozzi, 38, announced today they are expecting their first child together this autumn. The couple tied the knot in a private service at Windsor Castle in September last year (above)
Inspiration: if Beatrice does need any advice on navigating the complex family dynamics, she doesn’t have far to look for inspiration and guidance. For her aunt Princess Anne, 70, has successfully raised her children Zara, 40, and Peter, 43, to have close a relationship with their half-sister Stephanie Phillips. Pictured, Zara with her arm around Stephanie in August 2011
For her aunt Princess Anne, 70, has successfully raised her children Zara, 40, and Peter, 43, to have close a relationship with their half-sister Stephanie Phillips.
The 23-year-old event rider is the daughter of Princess Anne’s first husband Captain Mark Phillips and his Hawaiian-born second wife Sandy Pflueger, who was part of the US dressage team at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.
Stephanie has been pictured at some royal events, serving a flower girl at both Zara’s 2011 wedding to Mike Tindall and Peter’s 2008 wedding to Autumn Kelly.
She has also shared candid snaps with her half-sister, who is 17 years older.
No doubt Beatrice will be hoping for a similarly close bond between Wolfie and his new brother or sister.
Fortunately Beatrice and Edo have the firm support of their families.
Happy families: Zara Tindall and Peter Philip with their younger half-sister Stephanie. She is the daughter of Princess Anne’s first husband Captain Mark Phillips and his Hawaiian-born second wife Sandy Pflueger, who was part of the US dressage team at the 1984 Olympics
Sarah Ferguson has previously released a statement saying Wolfie is seen as a grandchild and is a ‘much-loved member of the family’.
‘Wolfie is already a very much-loved member of their family and the duchess is very keen to stress that she sees Wolfie as their grandchild too,’ a spokesperson said, after Princess Eugenie announced her pregnancy last year.
Dara is also fully supportive of Beatrice, Edo and the blended family and proudly posts about ‘co-parenting’ with Edo on Instagram.
Mummy’s boy: Dara is also fully supportive of Beatrice, Edo and the blended family and proudly posts about ‘co-parenting’ with Edo on Instagram. Pictured, with Wolfie on Instagram
Close: Dara Huang shared a snap of her outside a glamorous Banda property in Notting Hill on Instagram. The property is owned by Edo and is a show of how close the pair remain
Last year, a friend of Dara and Edo insisted the estranged couple remain close, with Dara even cutting Edo’s hair and occasionally buying him clothes.
Their amicable relationship meant Dara was on the original guest list for Edo’s wedding to Beatrice, 32, before the coronavirus pandemic forced the couple to cancel their May nuptialsBeatrice and Edoardo later secretly tied the knot on July 17 in Windsor, with the Queen and Prince Philip in attendance and Wolfie acting as best man.