Kate Middleton unveils her own art exhibition at the V&A in London

Daily Mail​

29-07-2025

The Princess of Wales has curated her own 'mini display' at the V&A East Storehouse in London, following her visit there in June.
Kate, 43, who is Royal Patron of the V&A, has personally worked with the museum's curatorial team to select eight significant works from across its large collection for her 'Makers and Creators' exhibition, unveiled today for the first time.
Her chosen objects include a watercolour study of a forest glade by children's author Beatrix Potter, a 15th-century earthenware tile and a furnishing screen designed by William Morris's assistant, J H Dearle in the mid-1880s.
They also include Oliver Messel's costume for the Fairy of the Woodland Glades, worn by Diana Vere in The Royal Ballet's 1960 production of The Sleeping Beauty.
The Princess, who was given a behind-the-scenes tour of the storehouse in June, selected an 19th-century hand quilted bedcover, an oil panting, a Qing dynasty porcelain vase and a sculpture by Clemence Dane.
Visitors to the Storehouse will be able to view the collection as part of the self-guided experience until early 2026.
The Makers and Creators display brings together objects chosen by The Princess to celebrate past makers and creators, and show how historic objects can influence fashion, design, film, art and creativity today.
The display, one of over 100 changing 'mini displays' aims to show how 'individual, unique objects can come together to create a collective whole that helps us to explore our social and cultural experiences, and the role we play in the wider tapestry of life'.
An information sheet accompanying the display is credited as 'written by: Her Royal Highness Princess of Wales'.
The storehouse opened to the public earlier this year and gives unprecedented free public access to the museum's world-famous collection of more than 600,000 treasures from every creative discipline including fashion, film, visual art, design and performance.
The royal mother-of-three visited the Storehouse in June, as she highlighted the 'joy' of the creative arts.
The princess cut a trendy figure as she opted to rewear a chic trouser suit by designer Alexander McQueen for the event, along with a white scoop-neck top.
She accessorised with a pair of matching pumps, belt, and the Laura Lombardi chain necklace.
Created in partnership with young people and inspired by east London's creative heritage, the new V&A East Storehouse - a world first - has been built to ensure the nation's creative works are available to all.
Spanning four levels and bigger than 30 basketball courts, Storehouse is a new kind of museum experience giving visitors the chance to see behind the scenes of a working museum, explore why and how objects get collected by museums, find out how they are cared for, and uncover the stories they tell about us and our world.
Wherever possible, glass and barriers have been removed, and visitors will be able to get closer to objects than ever before.
Meanwhile the new V&A East Museum is scheduled to open in Spring 2026, spotlighting 'people, ideas and creativity' that are shaping global culture.
Kate, who studied art history at St Andrews University, also chose an oil painting
KATE'S ARTWORK DISPLAY: THE FULL COLLECTION
Oliver Messel's costume for the Fairy of the Woodland Glades worn by Diana Vere in The Royal Ballet's 1960 production of The Sleeping Beauty
A watercolour study of a forest glade by well-known children's author Beatrix Potter and a childhood photograph album belonging to her father, Rupert Potter
A 15th century earthenware tile, impressed with a design of interlacing bands from South Cadbury Church in Somerset
A Morris & Co furnishing screen designed by William Morris's assistant J.H.Dearle in the mid-1880s
A hand quilted bedcover, made in Wales circa. 1830-40
An oil painting entitled 'A Woman Holding a Mirror and a Rose' by Anglo-American artist George Henry Boughton
A Qing dynasty porcelain vase from Jingdezhen, China, circa. 1662-1722
A sculpture by Clemence Dane, which is a physical representation of the artist's hands created in the mid-20th century
As Kate arrived at the buzzy east London venue, she was given a behind-the-scenes tour and learnt about the work that goes into conserving and displaying some of the amazing objects stored, including the largest Picasso work in the world.
The gigantic canvas measuring 30m by 40m has spent most of the last 80 years rolled up in storage.
Kate's two-hour visit ran over by 30 minutes as she was so engrossed in the artefacts and artwork on display.
Kate, who studied for a degree in arts history at University of St Andrews, began her tour behind the scenes where thousands of exhibits are being cared for before going on display.
Marvelling at a William Morris designed screen she remarked: 'Wow. Love the twist here.'
Speaking to Tim Reeve, deputy director at the V&A, she added: 'What a fantastic idea. What an opportunity for everyone to see these historic pieces in first person. It's so eclectic. And all parts of the process of displaying and curating.'
During her tour behind the scene she pulled on protective gloves to caress a 19th century riding habit, remarking: 'It's so delicate.'
She was also shown a 1970s 'photogram' dress and said: 'It's really interesting as fashion designers are also using screen prints and photographs.'
Fashion fan Kate also immediately identified a black and gold coat dress was by British fashion designer Alexander McQueen. She said: 'You see a certain shape and you know the designer.'
The princess, who is patron of the V&A, also joined staff collecting new photos for the archive and online search portal.
The museum team needed to photograph a 1943 ballet shoe worn by Alice Markova at a performance of Giselle at the Old Vic, who had signed its inside sole and penned a special message.
Watching how it was photographed for the collection, Kate said: 'Gosh it's so small and I like the fact you can see her handwriting.'
Venturing into the public area, which was thronged by visitors unaware of the princess's unannounced visit, she marvelled at the largest Picasso artwork in the world.
Joined by Tristram Hunt, director of the V&A, she was entranced by the fabric which was backdrop for the 1924 Ballets Russes production of Le Train Bleu, and signed by the artist.
Mingling with the public in the vast Weston Collections Hall she also looked impressed at the previously locked-up artefacts out on show for visitors. But she was forced to hold carefully onto the glass railing as she walked along the metal grid floor on her high heels.
After she left the Hackney Wick venue, Tim Reeve said of the V&A's royal visitor: 'There's no doubt about it she is a great supporter of the arts.
'She has been really interested in this project and it's clear she loves the idea of what we are trying to do here with back of house and to be a member of the public seeing behind the scenes.
'She really understood she was sharing it with the public and everyone sharing the same space.
'She really wanted to see it as the public saw it and didn't want to impose.'
After she arrived at the buzzy east London venue, she was given a behind-the-scenes tour and learnt about the work that goes into conserving and displaying some of the amazing objects stored, including the largest Picasso work in the world
Palace aides said the 'cadence' of the princess' public engagements is still as was announced earlier this year, involving a slow and measured return to public life following her cancer diagnosis last year
The Princess of Wales with (left to right) the director of the V&A Tristram Hunt, the deputy director of the V&A, Tim Reeve, chair of the V&A Baroness Shafik and the director of the V&A East, Gus Casely-Hayford, at the V&A East Storehouse, a brand-new cultural destination in east London
Aides have told how the 'cadence' of the princess's public engagements is still as was announced earlier this year, involving a slow and measured return to public life following her cancer diagnosis last year.
Happily she announced in January that she is now officially in remission.
Kate's most recent public appearance was attending Wimbledon earlier this month with Prince William, bringing tennis-loving Prince George and Princess Charlotte.
Kate has been patron of the All England Lawn and Tennis Club, also known as the AELTC (which organises the day-to-day running of the prestigious tournament), since 2016.
While she has brought George and Charlotte to the sporting event, Prince Louis, who is known for his cheeky antics during spectator events, was absent.
The Princess looked radiant in a blue dress as she arrived at the All England Club for the second consecutive day this afternoon - after presenting the trophy at the women's final on Saturday.
Kate also wore her ' Wimbledon bow' - a brooch featuring the tournament's iconic colours - which it's believed she has worn every time she has visited Wimbledon.
She debuted her green and purple bow back in 2017, when she paired it with a white, short-sleeved dress.
Mother-of-three Kate pictured today with her only daughter, Princess Charlotte
More than just a mere accessory, the Princess' go-to Wimbledon brooch is actually a symbol of royal patronage, gifted to her from the Queen Elizabeth II.
Kate appeared overwhelmed upon arrival at the Royal Box on Centre Court and was welcomed by a huge chorus of cheers and a standing ovation.
It was reminiscent of the reception she received last year, when she chose the tennis tournament as her first solo outing after taking time away from public duty while being treated for cancer.
Kate took over the role of patron in 2016 from the late Queen who had held the position for 64 years.