Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge, made her first official solo appearance in an engagement Wednesday night since she joined the Royal family.
Middleton, 30, attended the National Portrait Gallery in London for a preview of the Lucian Freud exhibition - one of the most anticipated exhibitions of the year.
Her visit came as St James's Palace confirmed that Kate agreed to attend after Sue Tilley had requested her to join the exhibition.
The duchess is happy to do it sometime in the future. There haven't been any decisions about who the artist will be, a palace spokesman said.
The Duchess stepped out from her chauffeur-driven car wearing grey tweed coat dress by High Street label Jesire. The Jesire coat had a large shawl collar and a black belt around her waist.
Middleton's outfit was completed with a chunky diamond bracelet and vertiginous four-inch Jimmy Choo heels.
Last year, Middleton attended a private fundraising dinner on behalf of Prince Charles but the visit to the exhibition was the first time in public she was seen without her husband, Prince William, by her side.
Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge, is currently positioned in the Falkland Islands as an RAF Search and Rescue co-pilot for six weeks.
The exhibition guest list also included Jane Asher, Sir Ian Holm, photographer Mary McCartney, daughter of Sir Pauly, and Brigadier Andrew Parker Bowles, the ex-husband of Kate's mother-in-law the Duchess of Cornwall, whose portrait was painted by Freud and is part of the exhibition.
The exhibition curator, Sarah Howgate, told The Telegraph: The Duchess studied art history so I'm sure she will find the exhibition absolutely fascinating. I'm sure she is already familiar with Lucian's work but she won't have seen this body of work before. I think she will thoroughly enjoy it.
Kate Middleton's black cocker spaniel puppy has been keeping her company for several months now while Prince William has been stationed in the Falkland Islands, but it wasn't until today that the Duchess of Cambridge made the name, which palace officials have kept a secret, public. Find out what it is and what the name means here.Press AssociationKate Duchess of Cambridge leaves after attending the opening evening of the Lucian Freud Portraits exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery in London, Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2012. The gallery is showing more than 100 paintings completed over 70 years, many of them nude studies of the late British artist's friends and family. Freud worked with the gallery on the exhibition for several years before his death in July 2011 aged 88.Press AssociationKate Duchess of Cambridge leaves after attending the opening evening of the Lucian Freud Portraits exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery in London, Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2012. The gallery is showing more than 100 paintings completed over 70 years, many of them nude studies of the late British artist's friends and family. Freud worked with the gallery on the exhibition for several years before his death in July 2011 aged 88.Press AssociationThe Duchess of Cambridge leaves after a visit to the Lucian Freud Portraits exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery, London.
Picture date: Wednesday February 8, 2012. Kate will received a preview of the Lucian Freud show that gives a comprehensive overview of the work of one of the greatest figurative painters of the late 20th century. The royal, who has a degree in the history of art, became patron last month of the National Portrait Gallery, in London, which is staging the event. Freud, who died last summer, was famed for his naked full-length portraits that used layers of oils to depict the sitter's flesh in minute detail - creating unforgiving and often unflattering images.Press AssociationThe Duchess of Cambridge arriving for a visit to the Lucian Freud Portraits exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery, London. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Wednesday February 8, 2012. Kate will received a preview of the Lucian Freud show that gives a comprehensive overview of the work of one of the greatest figurative painters of the late 20th century. The royal, who has a degree in the history of art, became patron last month of the National Portrait Gallery, in London, which is staging the event. Freud, who died last summer, was famed for his naked full-length portraits that used layers of oils to depict the sitter's flesh in minute detail - creating unforgiving and often unflattering images.Press AssociationThe Duchess of Cambridge arriving for a visit to the Lucian Freud Portraits exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery, London. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Wednesday February 8, 2012. Kate will received a preview of the Lucian Freud show that gives a comprehensive overview of the work of one of the greatest figurative painters of the late 20th century. The royal, who has a degree in the history of art, became patron last month of the National Portrait Gallery, in London, which is staging the event. Freud, who died last summer, was famed for his naked full-length portraits that used layers of oils to depict the sitter's flesh in minute detail - creating unforgiving and often unflattering images.Press AssociationKate Duchess of Cambridge arrives to attend the opening evening of the Lucian Freud Portraits exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery in London, Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2012. The gallery is showing more than 100 paintings completed over 70 years, many of them nude studies of the late British artist's friends and family. Freud worked with the gallery on the exhibition for several years before his death in July 2011 aged 88.Press Association
