© NPG – the postcard of the painting
Today the National Portrait Gallery released a photograph of the painting of Kate by artist Paul Emsley.
Kate was able to sit for Emsley twice, once at Kensington Palace and then again at his studio. Emsley revealed that Kate wanted to be portrayed naturally. In a video accompanying the portrait, he said:
“The Duchess explained that she would like to be portrayed naturally – her natural self – as opposed to her official self. She struck me as enormously open and generous and a very warm person. After initially feeling it was going to be an unsmiling portrait I think it was the right choice in the end to have her smiling – that is really who she is.”
You can watch the video below, or click here to see the portrait on the NPG website.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZglPV1x01A
The blouse Kate wore for her portrait painting:
As you can see in the original photographs shown in the video above, Kate wore a silky blue blouse with distinctive short sleeves and a pussy bow neck tie for her portrait painting. It’s widely assumed that Kate is wearing the French Connection “silky tie” blouse (right) –
If you’re in the USA, the blouse has been re-released by French Connection under the name “Katherine Plains”. It costs $98.00 and is available to pre-order in sizes 0-10.
Use the code AWFINAL to get free ground shipping (and it might be worth ordering two blouses to see which size fits you best – I have the blouse and it runs big!)
For those in the UK, the blouse is only available to pre-order in a UK16 in navy at £29.50. It was available in a size 10 earlier today, but has since sold out in that size – so keep your eyes peeled – you might just get lucky. The blouse is available in a white ‘antique lace’ colour in all sizes for £46.00.
Don’t forget French Connection offer free UK shipping if you spend over £75 and free returns too, so it might be worth ordering two blouses to see which size fits you best. It runs large.
With thanks to Repli-Kate It for the ID on the blouse!
About the portrait & the National Portrait Gallery:
The picture was commissioned for the national portrait gallery by Sir Hugh Leggatt in memory of Sir Denis Mahon through the Art Fund.
The gallery also offer the picture of Kate in postcard format, (also available as a set of six) which you can buy online; they post worldwide. Purchases support the National Portrait Gallery.
Kate is a patron of the National Portait Gallery and her first official solo engagement was the opening of the Lucian Freud Portraits back in February 2012.
The portrait makes her look way too old and is not flattering, plus her facial expression is all wrong. However, the duchess looked ravishing at the unveiling. I love the red dress on her and the belt.
Kate,you look as natural as it can be.You Dutches look just like You always have looked and are looking these days.Amazingly BEAUTIFUL””.Thumbs way UP to the artist who captured all of you as you were at such moment in your life! I see kindness,a giving sweet smile,a women,a wife,a bit of You as a child(i have seen Your pic.) innocence…,a girl of of laughter,fun,playful and so full of hope at yet to come.You are growing up.You are gorgeous.Enjoy every bit of it.The portrait is great! I will wait for the next,,,Your very handsome cool kind husband Prince William ,You and THE BABY.!!!Congratulations ‘Mom and Dad to Be ‘Life will never be the same,Joy will be out of this world***