Duchess Catherine may be just weeks away from welcoming her third little prince or princess into the world, but she’s still busy taking on the world… sorry, we mean new royal duties!
Kate, 36, made history this week as she was announced as the first-ever royal patron of the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.
Kensington Palace confirmed the exciting news with a statement on Tuesday, writing on Twitter: “The Duchess of Cambridge is to become the first Royal Patron of the Victoria and Albert Museum. Furthering Her Royal Highness’s interest in the visual arts, photography and design, she formally takes up the @V_and_A Patronage from today.”
Although the museum has long enjoyed an association with the royal family, it has never had official support in the form of a patron.
It’s a fitting role for the beloved royal who graduated from the University of St Andrews in 2005 with a 2:1 in History of Art. Of course, it was here she met her future husband Prince William, who was enrolled in the same degree before switching to Geography.
She’s also a keen amateur photographer, having released a handful of pictures to great acclaim including those from her tour of Southeast Asia and the South Pacific. Published on Kate and husband Prince William’s Facebook page the images included everything from a black and white still of an orangutan to a misty shot of Borneo’s Mount Kinabalu.
But the proud mum-of-two’s (soon-to-be three!) most recognisable shots are those of her children – Prince George, four, and Princess Charlotte, two.
Kate’s photography is natural and candid which stands in stark contrast to the rigid and staged royal portraiture of yesteryear. Here, the beloved royal welcomes Princess Charlotte into the world with an official portrait alongside brother Prince George.
More recently, Kate marked Charlotte’s first day at nursery school with a series of adorable portraits.
Tristram Hunt, Director of the V&A, said in an official statement: “From its foundation by Prince Albert and Queen Victoria, the V&A has enjoyed a proud history of Royal support.”
“We are delighted that Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge has agreed to serve as Royal Patron of the museum.”
He added: “The Duchess’s personal interest in photography, textiles and the visual arts, alongside her support for the role of art in supporting mental health and nurturing young people’s creative talent, fits naturally with the collections and civic purpose of the V&A.”
The very pregnant royal last dropped by the iconic museum in June 2017, where she opened the museum’s new entrance, courtyard and gallery on Exhibition Road.
READ MORE: Here’s everything you need to know about Kate Middleton’s baby!
It’s a fitting appointment! As a former art student at St Andrew’s, the royal has an extensive knowledge of the art world.
The Duchess last visited the iconic museum in June 2017, where she opened the museum’s new entrance, courtyard and gallery on Exhibition Road.
Kate won’t be carrying out any engagements in the near future as she has just started maternity leave.
The Duchess and husband Prince William have stayed pretty tight-lipped on the details surrounding their third child, other than confirming the new arrival is due sometime in April.
But according to a fresh report by UK paper The Sun, Duchess Catherine’s due date could fall on a very patriotic holiday.
The publication claims the royal couple will welcome their bundle of joy “on or around” St George’s Day on Monday, April 23rd.
St George’s Day is celebrated by Christian denominations around the world and honours the Feast of Saint George.
WATCH: Prince George and Princess Charlotte will soon welcome another little brother or sister. Post continues…
“There’s no certainty with due dates of course but the Duchess is working off a date around St George’s Day and it would be a lovely patriotic coincidence if he or she were born then,” an insider explained.
“Or if she’s very late, as she was with George’s birth, she could even make it a very special wedding anniversary present to William, as they celebrate seven years of marriage on the 29th April,” the source continued.
To prepare royal watchers for Baby Cambridge, the Duke and Duchess have set up a website dedicated to Royal Baby updates, which you can follow here: https://www.royal.uk/baby
We’ll be watching with an eagle eye!
