Princess of Wales reopens National Portrait Gallery

The Princess of Wales radiated glamour in a black-and-white outfit as she arrived in central London this morning for a solo engagement.

Kate, 41, stuck to the theme of the occasion opted for a £450 Self Portrait white midi dress with a pleated skirt and a white boucle tweed jacket as she arrived at the National Portrait Gallery, which has been closed for three years for an extensive refurbishment programme.

Beaming as she arrived, the mother-of-three opted for simple pearl teardrop earrings and wore her thick brunette locks down in a bouncy blow-dry. On her feet, she opted for her trusty black £620 Aquazzura pumps, which are also favoured by the Duchess of Sussex. 

To accessorise, she carried a simple but classic black quilted Chanel clutch bag. 

Her outfit, while still chic as ever, once again celebrated simplicity in black-and-white, which she had also opted for on Monday during the Order of the Garter service at St George’s Chapel. 

A work of art! The Princess of Wales looked radiant in a white Self Portrait dress with a pleated skirt and tweed jacket as she arrived at the National Portrait Gallery

 

The white dress with black polka dots which was belted at the waist was likened by many fans to Princess Diana’s Epsom Derby look in the 1980s – and she even wore her late mother-in-law’s earrings to boot.

As she arrived at the gallery to review the results of the extensive renovation project, the Princess met with renowned artist Tracey Emin.

The pair were pictured chatting as Kate looked up in awe at the new doors of the National Portrait Gallery, themselves a work of art designed by Emin. 

The doors incorporate 45 carved brass panels, representing ‘every woman, throughout time’. 

After meeting with the artist and the architect, Kate will visit The Mildred and Simon Palley Learning Centre, which has doubled its capacity for learners as part of the project.

And, of course, she will learn about the gallery’s early years programme, as part of her commitment to improving development of children up to the age of five.

Emin led the Princess of Wales into the National Portrait Gallery through the doors she had designed

Emin led the Princess of Wales into the National Portrait Gallery through the doors she had designed

Kate looked radiant with her hair in ringlets as she gazed up at the new doors of the National Portrait Gallery designed by renowned artist Tracey Emin (pictured)

Kate looked radiant with her hair in ringlets as she gazed up at the new doors of the National Portrait Gallery designed by renowned artist Tracey Emin (pictured)

Emin's design incorporates 45 carved brass panels, representing ‘every woman, throughout time

Emin’s design incorporates 45 carved brass panels, representing ‘every woman, throughout time

Kate looked regal as  she chatted to a gentleman outside of the National Portrait Gallery about the three-year refurbishment

Kate looked regal as  she chatted to a gentleman outside of the National Portrait Gallery about the three-year refurbishment

The princess was chic as ever in another black and white outfit following her appearance in an Alessandra Rich polka-dot dress yesterday

The princess was chic as ever in another black and white outfit following her appearance in an Alessandra Rich polka-dot dress yesterday

Upon arrival, the Princess sat down with nursery-age children who were taking part in a multi-sensory workshop inspired by the world of Beatrix Potter.

Chatting to the mother of three-year-old Rania during a colouring session, the Princess asked about the toddler’s artistic interests.

Rania’s mother told Kate her daughter ‘loves drawing’ – while little Rania appeared too engrossed in her stickers to notice she was in the company of royalty.

As the royal took a look at Rania’s brightly-coloured creation, she pointed out: ‘Look at these! Like buzzy bees’, while the toddler nodded in acknowledgment.

Kate then asked: ‘Who is this? Can you remember? Is this Peter Rabbit?’

Rania, who was still engrossed in her stickers, replied: ‘Yeah!’ at which point Kate chuckled and told her: ‘Very nice!’

The Princess's Self Portrait dress is designed to look like a layered two-piece, with a tweed jacket and a chiffon skirt

The Princess’s Self Portrait dress is designed to look like a layered two-piece, with a tweed jacket and a chiffon skirt

On her feet, Kate opted for the £620 Aquazzura black pumps which she was spotted wearing ahead of the Coronation

On her feet, Kate opted for the £620 Aquazzura black pumps which she was spotted wearing ahead of the Coronation

 

The Princess stepped out of the car and shook hands with a gentleman upon arrival at the National Portrait Gallery

The Princess stepped out of the car and shook hands with a gentleman upon arrival at the National Portrait Gallery

Kate beamed as she strolled up to the gallery, which will reopen to the public on June 22 following an extensive restoration project

Kate beamed as she strolled up to the gallery, which will reopen to the public on June 22 following an extensive restoration project

The detailing on the Princess's intricate outfit included black piping around the seams and embellished buttons

The detailing on the Princess’s intricate outfit included black piping around the seams and embellished buttons

Kate appeared to be critiquing a piece of art as she stood outside the gallery, about to walk through its brand new doors

Kate appeared to be critiquing a piece of art as she stood outside the gallery, about to walk through its brand new doors 

The Princess pushed her thick brunette locks behind her shoulders as she arrived

The Princess pushed her thick brunette locks behind her shoulders as she arrived 

The Princess kept her jewellery simple for the occasion, opting for a pair of pear teardrop earrings

The Princess kept her jewellery simple for the occasion, opting for a pair of pear teardrop earrings

Beaming as ever, Kate waved to royal fans who had gathered to catch a glimpse of her on her solo engagement

Beaming as ever, Kate waved to royal fans who had gathered to catch a glimpse of her on her solo engagement

To accessorise, the Princess carried a classic black quilted Chanel clutch bag, which fit with her monochrome theme

To accessorise, the Princess carried a classic black quilted Chanel clutch bag, which fit with her monochrome theme

The Princess of Wales brushed her hair away from her face as she arrived at the National Portrait Gallery

The Princess of Wales brushed her hair away from her face as she arrived at the National Portrait Gallery

The Gallery’s Under 5’s Programme, which has been developed in conjunction with London Borough of Westminster, works with family hubs and state nurseries in the area to encourage creative learning. 

Elsewhere, Kate will have the oppportunity to look at some of the Gallery’s new acquisitions such as Joshua Reynolds’ Portrait of Mai.

She will also view Yevonde: Life and Colour, a new exhibition which explores the life and career of Yevonde, the pioneering London photographer who spearheaded the use of colour photography in the 1930s.

***
Read more at DailyMail.co.uk