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I will be starting a new series to cover all of The Duchess of Cambridge’s patronage’s. This series will cover visits, tours, events, fundraisers, letters etc.
First up is: NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY @NPGLondon
#KatesPatronages #KateMiddleton
First up is: NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY @NPGLondon
#KatesPatronages #KateMiddleton
In 2012, St James's Palace announced that Kate had chosen her first 4 patronages (& one volunteer position), The National Portrait Gallery was one. Kate reached her decision following a series of private visits and the Palace said the choice reflected her interests in the arts.
2012
For her first major solo visit as royal Patron, Kate attended a private viewing of a new exhibition of portraits by the Lucian Freud at NPG London. Arriving at the gallery she mingled with photographer Mary McCartney, Bella Freud (the artist's daughter) & Jefferson Hack.
For her first major solo visit as royal Patron, Kate attended a private viewing of a new exhibition of portraits by the Lucian Freud at NPG London. Arriving at the gallery she mingled with photographer Mary McCartney, Bella Freud (the artist's daughter) & Jefferson Hack.
With more than 100 paintings loaned from museums and private collections throughout the world, The Lucian Freud Portraits is the result of many years planning by the gallery in close partnership with the late artist himself. Freud died in July 2011 at the age of 88.
July 2012
Kate visited the exhibition “Road To 2012: Aiming High” at NPG. The exhibition featured images of famous athletes and newcomers competing in the 2012 Olympics. Kate was an ambassador for Team GB and Paralympics GB so this event tied in well with her Patronage NPG.
Kate visited the exhibition “Road To 2012: Aiming High” at NPG. The exhibition featured images of famous athletes and newcomers competing in the 2012 Olympics. Kate was an ambassador for Team GB and Paralympics GB so this event tied in well with her Patronage NPG.
The Duchess also featured in the exhibition herself, in a photograph taken by Jillian Edlestein at a Team GB hockey event she had attended.
January 2013
Kate visited NPG with William to view her first official painting. Kate had a meeting to talk through the process which was followed by 2 sittings at the artist’s studio. Her portrait was the best selling postcard (NPG shop), selling over 3000 in the first weeks!
Kate visited NPG with William to view her first official painting. Kate had a meeting to talk through the process which was followed by 2 sittings at the artist’s studio. Her portrait was the best selling postcard (NPG shop), selling over 3000 in the first weeks!
The artist said: “She 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”.
Kate’s family also were seen going to the gallery to view the painting.
Kate’s family also were seen going to the gallery to view the painting.
April 2013
Kate hosted a reception for The Art Room charity at the National Portrait Gallery. Kate is the Royal Patron of both organisations and the event marked the Art Room’s 11th anniversary and the launch of its new fundraising initiative.
Kate hosted a reception for The Art Room charity at the National Portrait Gallery. Kate is the Royal Patron of both organisations and the event marked the Art Room’s 11th anniversary and the launch of its new fundraising initiative.
February 2014
Kate attended the Gallery’s annual Portrait Gala in central London where the evening celebrated the work of acclaimed authors who have written special "pen portraits" to be sold to raise money. Kate also gave a short speech about the gallery and its initiative
Kate attended the Gallery’s annual Portrait Gala in central London where the evening celebrated the work of acclaimed authors who have written special "pen portraits" to be sold to raise money. Kate also gave a short speech about the gallery and its initiative
February 2015
This was a busy year first starting off with a meeting Kate had with Sandy Naime who would be relinquishing his title as director of NPG (private engagement so no photos).
This was a busy year first starting off with a meeting Kate had with Sandy Naime who would be relinquishing his title as director of NPG (private engagement so no photos).
March 2015
Kate visited the Turner Contemporary to view the Self: Image and Identity exhibition which features the last self-portrait by Sir Anthony Van Dyck. She met the artists whose works feature in the exhibition and met schoolchildren involved in an art project.
Kate visited the Turner Contemporary to view the Self: Image and Identity exhibition which features the last self-portrait by Sir Anthony Van Dyck. She met the artists whose works feature in the exhibition and met schoolchildren involved in an art project.
October 2015
Kate held another private engagement with Nicholas Cullinan who would be assuming his appointment as director of NPG.
Kate held another private engagement with Nicholas Cullinan who would be assuming his appointment as director of NPG.
May 2016
Kate visited the “Vogue 100: A Century of Style” exhibit at the NPG where two portraits from her British Vogue shoot were added to the exhibit. There was also a picture of Prince Charles with his chickens which Kate viewed.
Kate visited the “Vogue 100: A Century of Style” exhibit at the NPG where two portraits from her British Vogue shoot were added to the exhibit. There was also a picture of Prince Charles with his chickens which Kate viewed.
March 2017
Kate attended a Gala dinner which raised funds for the Gallery’s ‘Coming Home’, a project that will return iconic portraits to relevant locations across the UK. She also viewed two exhibitions: ‘Absent Friends’ and ‘Behind the mask, another mask’
Kate attended a Gala dinner which raised funds for the Gallery’s ‘Coming Home’, a project that will return iconic portraits to relevant locations across the UK. She also viewed two exhibitions: ‘Absent Friends’ and ‘Behind the mask, another mask’
February 2018
Kate curated a spring exhibition of Victorian photography at the NPG and heavily involved in the staging of the exhibition. She collaborated with the gallery in choosing images for ‘The Duchess of Cambridge Patron’s Trail’.
Kate curated a spring exhibition of Victorian photography at the NPG and heavily involved in the staging of the exhibition. She collaborated with the gallery in choosing images for ‘The Duchess of Cambridge Patron’s Trail’.
According to the museum, the duchess selected several images and wrote the foreword to the catalogue. Her interest in 19th-century photography dates back to her time studying art history at University where she chose the topic as the subject of her undergraduate thesis.
March 2019
Kate attended a gala dinner fundraiser where funds from the night went towards a project that will see a significant refurbishment of the building. Kate was joined by Princess Beatrice, the Beckham’s, Kate Moss and other A- list celebrities for the fundraiser.
Kate attended a gala dinner fundraiser where funds from the night went towards a project that will see a significant refurbishment of the building. Kate was joined by Princess Beatrice, the Beckham’s, Kate Moss and other A- list celebrities for the fundraiser.
May 2020
During the COVID-19 Pandemic, Kate launched the #HoldStill2020 Photography project which asked everyone to take out their cameras and capture how life had changed for them. 100 finalists will be selected and chosen for the exhibition by Kate and NPG.
During the COVID-19 Pandemic, Kate launched the #HoldStill2020 Photography project which asked everyone to take out their cameras and capture how life had changed for them. 100 finalists will be selected and chosen for the exhibition by Kate and NPG.
