The Duchess of Cambridge has dropped by the Victoria & Albert Museum (V&A) in London to open the museum’s new entrance, courtyard and gallery on Exhibition Road.
Kate, 35, was among the first to preview the museum’s new spaces on Thursday, beginning her guided tour with a brief explanation about the design and unique features of the building.
The mother-of-two, who chose to wear an elegant tweed mini dress by the Italian label Gucci, was then led to the The Sackler Courtyard — an area which has been lined with 11,000 handmade tiles at a staggering cost of £54.5 million ($AUD 92.4 million).
Upon entering the space, the Duchess reportedly mouthed “Wow” as she thoughtfully took in the architecture.
Kate, who is a patron of The National Portrait Gallery, next attended a short reception in The Blavatnik Hall to meet and congratulate those involved in the project’s delivery. As a former art student at St Andrew’s, the royal would have undoubtedly impressed fellow guests with her extensive knowledge of the art world.
Upon arrival, the V&A director’s daughter, Lydia, presented the royal with a delicate posy of flowers.
Kate was among the first to preview the museum’s innovative new spaces on Thursday.
The Duchess reportedly mouthed “Wow” as she thoughtfully took in the buildings unique architecture.
As a former art student at St Andrew’s, the royal has an extensive knowledge of the art world.
Speaking of the visit, Former MP, Dr Tristram Hunt, the V&A director, said: “The V&A have had connections with Kensington Palace going back to the 1850s.”
“It was Prince Albert’s vision, and then Queen Victoria opened the V&A in 1899.”
“She was wowed by the architecture, the courtyard of porcelain tiles, and she was really interested in the engineering – how we dug down 50 metres, and yet kept the walls upright and did not break a single piece of glassware or ceramics.”
He added: “It is a huge day for the museum.”
During the visit, the mother-of-two also attended a short reception to congratulate those involved in the project’s delivery.
She looked suitably regal in an above-the-knee shift dress by the Italian label Gucci.
It’s a busy time of year for Kate, who recently made a surprise visit to the King’s College Hospital in Denmark Hill, south-east London, to meet with those affected by the London Bridge attacks — a terror-driven rampage which left eight people dead and 48 more injured.
The hospital was one of two facilities to receive the bulk of casualties in the aftermath of the atrocity.
During the solo appearance which was not publicised in advance, the young royal privately visited the bedsides of six patients who are still being treated.
Kate, who was dressed in an understated navy blue skirt suit and coordinating point-toe pumps, also spoke with staff at the facility who rallied in the aftermath of the city’s June 3 terror attack, making sure to shake hands and exchange words with many.
The Duchess made the surprise visit to the hospital in the early afternoon.
The much-loved royal took the time to praise the efforts of all those who worked tirelessly in the aftermath of the horrific attack.
The mother-of-two was sure to query whether staff had received enough support following the attacks.
“I suppose at the time you didn’t know how big or what the extent of the incident was,” she told hospital staff. “You just got your heads down and got on with it. The response was amazing. I presume you are trained to cope with this but hope this kind of incident never happens.”
She added: “What you do is remarkable.”
The kind-hearted visit reportedly brought a great many smiles to the busy facility.
