The first official joint portrait of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge has been unveiled today to mark the couple’s visit to Cambridgeshire to celebrate the county.
The couple also made another appearance during their day out, visiting East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) in Milton, of which Kate has been a patron for 10 years, to coincide with Children’s Hospice Week. They then visited housing charity Jimmy’s, where they heard about the work the organisation does to help homeless people.
On their first stop of the day, Kate, wearing a recycled blue LK Bennett patterned dress, and William, both 40, visited the University of Cambridge’s Fitzwilliam Museum, where they viewed the painted portrait of themselves as it was revealed to the public for the first time.
The artwork captures Kate looking ethereal in a £1,595 emerald gown by The Vampire’s Wife, which she first wore during a historic three-day visit to Dublin in March 2020. Sporting £875 Manolo Blahnik green satin pumps, she is seen posing with her arm wrapped around a dapper William, who is dressed in a sharp suit with a blue tie.
Painted by award-winning British portrait artist Jamie Coreth, the piece was commissioned in 2021 by the Cambridgeshire Royal Portrait Fund, held by the Cambridge Community Foundation, as a gift to Cambridgeshire.
After viewing the portrait, the Duke and Duchess then met with supporters of the project including the artist and Lady Sibyl Marshall – the wife of the late Sir Michael Marshall, who originally proposed the idea to create the portrait.
Members of the public will be able to view the portrait at the 206-year-old Fitzwilliam Museum for an initial period of three years, after which the artwork will be exhibited in other community spaces and galleries around Cambridgeshire.
The first official joint portrait (pictured right) of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge has been unveiled today to mark the couple’s visit to Cambridgeshire to celebrate the county. On their first stop of the day, Kate, wearing a blue patterned dress, and William, both 40, visited the University of Cambridge’s Fitzwilliam Museum, left
The first official joint artwork captures Kate looking ethereal in a £1,595 glittering emerald gown by trendy designer The Vampire’s Wife, which she first wore during a historic three-day visit to Dublin in March 2020 (pictured)
The Duchess of Cambridge is snapped admiring the large portrait of her and William, painted by artist Jamie Coreth, one of Britain’s leading portrait painters
Jamie Coreth, the award-winning artist who painted the Cambridges, poses next to his portrait of William and Kate at the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge
Stunning: Kate appeared radiant in a multi-coloured dress teamed with a blue coat while attending the outing with William
The Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William departing the Fitzwilliam Museum during an official visit to Cambridgeshire
All in the details! Kate teamed the patterned midi frock with a matching blue longline coat, coordinating high heels and a clutch bag
For today’s outing, Kate showcased her thrifty side once again by recycling a flowing ‘Madison’ dress from one of her go-to brands LK Bennett, which she previously wore when heading to a London restaurant.
She teamed the patterned midi frock with a matching blue longline coat, coordinating high heels and a clutch bag, while also opting for dainty drop earrings.
William said, after looking at the painting: ‘It’s quite big.’ He told Coreth it was ‘amazing’.
The Duke and Duchess both studied history of art at St Andrews University, though William later switched to geography.
William said in a Big Issue Q&A session published this week to mark his 40th birthday: ‘I studied a bit of art history at university. Had to give it up. I kept falling asleep in the lectures. Terrible.
‘We did a lot of Renaissance, which was amazing. But then once we got into modern art, I started to get a bit dozy.”
During their visit to Cambridgeshire, Kate and William also visited East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH), to meet families who are receiving support as well as long serving staff member
The Duchess was pictured receiving a bouquet of roses from one of the patients at EACH, which was the second appointment of the royal couple’s day
Prince William and Kate Middleton met with James Hall (pictured, right) and his family, during their visit to EACH earlier today
The couple were snapped listening intently, as they met with families of children at the hospice today, during their day out in Cambridgeshire
Delighted: Willow Bamber (pictured, right) looks overjoyed to be painting with the duchess, during the royal visit to EACH today
Despite wearing a mask, it was clear to see that Kate was beaming, as she helped Willow Bamber (pictured, right) with her painting
The duchess, who is known for her soft spot for children and their care, was seen engaging in some painting with the youngster
Hands on: the duchess was not afraid to get her hands dirty, and enthusiastically got stuck into activities while visiting EACH, of which she is a patron
The Cambridges met with children during their visit to EACH, which has fallen during Children’s Hospice Week. Kate has been a patron of EACH for a decade
Today’s visit to EACH marked the fifth for the Duchess of Cambridge, who has been a patron for 10 years. Here the couple are pictured meeting children
Despite a busy day, the Cambridges looked delighted to be making their second appointment in Cambridgeshire, pictured here during their visit to EACH
During their trip to EACH, Kate and William attended a small party on the lawn, so they could meet with hospice staff and thank them for their work
The painting – which incorporates Cambridge thanks to the background filled with tones and colours of many of the historical stone buildings that are synonymous with the city – will also be loaned to the National Portrait Gallery for a short time in 2023 to mark the Gallery’s reopening.
Whilst on display at the Fitzwilliam, the Cambridgeshire Royal Portrait Fund will continue to work with the museum to ensure the portrait is used as a means of encouraging children and young people of all backgrounds from across the county to take an interest in art in all its forms.
The Fitzwilliam Museum has an international reputation for the quality of its learning and inclusion programmes, working with Early Years providers, local schools and community outreach programmes to maximise impact and enrich the lives of young people and their families.
Artist Jamie Coreth said: ‘It has been the most extraordinary privilege of my life to be chosen to paint this picture. I wanted to show Their Royal Highnesses in a manner where they appeared both relaxed and approachable, as well as elegant and dignified.
‘As it is the first portrait to depict them together, and specifically during their time as The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, I wanted the image to evoke a feeling of balance between their public and private lives.
For their third appointment of the day, the Cambridges (left) visited housing charity Jimmy’s in Cambridge. Here they are pictured meeting Eamonn Kelly, who lives in one of the organisation’s modular homes
While visiting housing organisation Jimmy’s, the couple chatted with Eamonn Kelly (pictured, centre right). He currently lives in one of the organisation’s modular homes – moveable, small-scale spaces that provide residents with separate living, cooking, sleeping and bathroom areas as well as their own front door
Eamonn Kelly (pictured, right) who lives in one of Jimmy’s modular homes, posed for a picture with Kate and William during their visit to the charity
Prince William meets Pete Dean (pictured, centre) while visiting Jimmy’s housing charity in Cambridge today
As well as meeting with tenants, Kate Middleton and Prince William spoke with partners and supporters during their visit to the housing charity
Happy: during their conversation with supporters of the housing charity, Prince William was snapped smiling as he snuck a look at Kate
Prince William is known to be passionate about homelessness, and while talking to housing charity Jimmy’s, he was pictured looking enthusiastic
The duchess was snapped smiling during her visit to Jimmy’s with Prince William today
‘The piece was commissioned as a gift for the people of Cambridgeshire, and I hope they will enjoy it as much as I have enjoyed creating it.’
Artist Jamie, who graduated from Oxford University in 2010, has previously been commissioned by Princess Anne.
Kate and William’s visit to Cambridgeshire will also champion the work of key local charitable organisations, linked to the couple’s longstanding interests, in particular homelessness and supporting families.
To celebrate the very best of Cambridgeshire, the Duke and Duchess will visit the first ever Cambridgeshire County Day at the July Racecourse, Newmarket.
The Duchess of Cambridge oozed elegance when appearing alongside the Duke at the University of Cambridge’s Fitzwilliam Museum
Thrifty Kate strikes again! The Duchess recycled a flowing ‘Madison’ dress from LK Bennett for today’s engagements
The look of love! Kate seemingly couldn’t help but smile when looking at her husband, Prince William, this morning
Co-ordinated couple! The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge matched their outfits, with William wearing a blue shirt to complement his wife’s dress
For today’s outing, Kate showcased her thrifty side once again by recycling a flowing ‘Madison’ dress from one of her go-to brands LK Bennett, which she previously wore when heading to a London restaurant
After viewing the portrait, the Duke and Duchess (pictured meeting guests) then met with supporters of the project including the artist and Lady Sibyl Marshall – the wife of the late Sir Michael Marshall, who originally proposed the idea to create the portrait
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge chat to schoolchildren when at the Fitzwilliam Museum today in Cambridge
Father-of-three William (pictured right) said, after looking at the painting: ‘It’s quite big.’ He told Coreth it was ‘amazing’
The Duke and Duchess (pictured together) both studied history of art at St Andrews University, though William later switched to geography
Kate paired her statement garment with a matching blue longline coat, while also opting for dainty drop earrings
Comprising of 120 exhibitors from Cambridgeshire businesses, charity, community and public sectors, the couple will visit a number of stalls and meet members of the public.
The County Day will also celebrate The Platinum Jubilee year of the Queen.
During the day there will be performances and demonstrations by choirs, bands and dancers as well as showcases from organisations including blue light services, local charities, and voluntary groups.
Kate and William will also see leading small and large businesses who are delivering innovations in areas such as medicine and science.
Kate made the most of the pleasant weather by donning a long, lightweight coat as she attended the event in Cambridgeshire today
During the trip, the couple were snapped talking with local schoolchildren while they were leaving the Fitzwilliam Museum
The Duchess of Cambridge was photographed looking pensive during the trip today, as she and husband Prince William engaged with children outside the museum
The Duchess paired dainty diamond drop earrings with her outfit, and natural, pared down make-up, for a look that was fresh and chic
Who is Jamie Coreth: the artist behind the Cambridge’s portrait who ‘focuses on the character of his sitters’
Jamie Coreth (Young Persons winner) poses in front of his award-winning portrait of ‘Dad Sculpting Me’ in 2016
Jamie Coreth, an award-winning artist, is considered one of Britain’s leading portrait painters.
After graduating from Oxford in 2010 ,with a degree in Archaeology and Anthropology, he studied at the London Atelier of Representational Art and the Florence Academy of Art.
Jamie graduated from the Academy in 2014, after both studying there and at the same time, working as an Art History lecturer and assistant tutor.
He was awarded the Young Artist Award at the BP Portrait Awards at the National Portrait Gallery in London in June 2016, for his portrait Dad Sculpting Me, a painting which depicts Jamie’s father, the sculptor Mark Coreth, sculpting Jamie.
Two years later, in 2018, Jamie’s portrait of former soldier turned sculptor Mark Jackson, titled Broken Bodies, was accepted into the BP Portrait Exhibition.
He was shortlisted for the BP Portrait Award in 2020, for his piece Portrait of Fatima, which was used for the cover of the catalogue and the National Portrait Gallery’s marketing campaign.
According to the artist’s website, he ‘paints with an intelligence and originality. He focuses on the character of his sitters, evoking a sense of their presence in his work. His technical facility sits in harmony with a modern vision’.
After visiting the gallery, the couple then visited East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) in Milton, of which Kate has been a patron for 10 years, to coincide with Children’s Hospice Week.
During their visit, which marked Kate’s fifth to EACH, the Cambridges did a tour of the facility, meeting children currently receiving care alongside their families, before they joined in some activities in the play area. They also met some of the children’s families who are receiving support.
After meeting children and families the royal couple were taken on a tour of the on-site sensory garden, before meeting with long serving staff members.
At the end of the trip, William and Kate attended a small reception on the lawn, so they could meet and thank supporters and volunteers of EACH.
Their third visit of the day was to housing charity Jimmy’s in Cambridge, where the couple learnt about what the organisation is doing to help homeless individuals.
Jimmy’s is currently trialling modular homes, moveable, small-scale spaces that provide residents with separate living, cooking, sleeping and bathroom areas as well as their own front door.
The organisation has 22 sites across Cambridge, which is the first city in the UK to explore modular homes.