Kate Middleton recently released three portraits to celebrate her 40th birthday. These portraits were absolutely beautiful and were quite different from all other imagery we have received from her.
The first portrait shows the Duchess looking off to the side wearing a beautiful and feminine white dress as she displays her engagement ring. This portrait is so reminiscent of Cecil Beaton’s portraits for Princess Margaret in the ’50s.
The second shows Kate in all smiles looking directly at the camera in a powerhouse red one-shoulder dress with her hands in the pocket.
And finally, the last portrait shows her in a close-up shot with an 80’s soft glam vibe, wearing a ruffled white dress.
She wore Alexander McQueen for all her looks, the same designer she wore to her wedding to Prince William. She is also accessorized with pieces from Princess Diana’s and Queen Elizabeth’s collections. All the portraits were taken by Paolo Roversi for the permanent collection of the National Portrait Gallery, which the Duchess is the patron of.
When I first saw these images, I thought they were photoshopped because of how different they are from anything else we have seen from her.
Duchess Kate is set to come into a prominent role when Prince William becomes King, so I think these portraits are a way to show herself as the queen. The first portrait is a nod to the past with her recreating an iconic British image and it shows herself as part of the royal family. The third image shows herself in the present while the second shows the future, being the only one in full color and the only one where she makes direct eye contact with the viewer.
These portraits were a way to solidify the image of Kate as Queen to the public. Personally, I think it worked. There are only positive reviews for the pictures and everyone is wanting more. I am excited to see the future of Kate and how she embraces this new art direction.
