Duchess goes it alone with a visit to art gallery

The former Kate Middleton arrived at the National Portrait Gallery in London for a preview of an exhibition of the late Lucian Freud’s work.

Her visit came as St James’s Palace confirmed she had agreed to a request from the gallery, of which she is patron, to pose for a portrait.

A Palace spokesman said: “The duchess is happy to do it some time in the future. There haven’t been any decisions about who the artist will be.”

The duchess stepped from her chauffeur-driven car wearing a double-breasted, 1950s-style, grey gown in a marbled pattern by Jesire.

She has been learning the ropes of being a royal from husband Prince William, who last week was posted to the Falklands to work as an RAF search and rescue co-pilot.

On their joint visits around the country last year, the Duke of Cambridgewas continually at her side and a reassuring presence during their first overseas tour together to Canada and California.

The guest list included Jane Asher, Lord of the Rings actor Sir Ian Holm, photographer Mary McCartney, daughter of Sir Pauly, and Andrew Parker Bowles, the former husband of Kate’s mother-in-law the Duchess of Cornwall, whose portrait was painted by Freud and is part of the exhibition.

For the first time the duchess had to greet a line-up of dignitaries by herself, including Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt, Ms McCartney, a trustee of the gallery, and representatives of corporate sponsors.

Bella and Esther Freud, daughters of the artist, who died last summer, were also picked out to meet the royal. Kate smiled and chatted to them as they were introduced by gallery director Sandy Nairne.

Kate, like her husband, has a degree in the history of art.