Kate makes hands-on visit to examine museum's exhibits
Kate visited the new V&A East Storehouse in London's Stratford to learn about its 'order an object' system where paintings, furniture, books and sculptures can be requested and a room set aside for viewing with staff.
With a keen interest in the arts and a love of the natural world, she choose a number of items themed around nature, a large William Morris samples book, rolls of ornate textiles and a musical instrument for the private moment.
More than 500,000 creative works, from individual items to whole collections like the Glastonbury festival archive, are stored at the site, the majority of the V&A's collection.
Kate, patron of the V&A, told its deputy director and chief operating officer Tim Reeve 'it's so eclectic' as they stood in a huge space housing objects around them adding: 'It's all part of the process of displaying and curating.'
The princess wore a smart trouser suit for the visit to the storehouse in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and wore stiletto heels despite the attraction's website advising on flat shoes as the 'metal grid flooring is not suitable for stilettos or kitten heels'.
Mr Reeve said later about Kate: 'It's clear today she really loves the idea of what we're trying to do, show that back-of-house world and to be a member of the public seeing that behind-the-scenes experience is what this is about.
'She's obviously fortunate to see quite a bit of the back-of-house world, but I think she really understood today that she was sharing it with the public, everyone is seeing the same space, everyone has that privileged access to our collection.'
Commenting on the items Kate had asked to be shown, he added: 'I did have a look at what was laid out, and some amazing things as always, an amazing musical instrument, there's lots of stuff that's related to nature.
'One of the things I saw that she'll be super interested in is this big William Morris fabric sample book, it's an enormous thing and you can sort of flick through.'
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Irish Independent
a day ago
- Irish Independent
Kate makes hands-on visit to examine museum's exhibits
Kate visited the new V&A East Storehouse in London's Stratford to learn about its 'order an object' system where paintings, furniture, books and sculptures can be requested and a room set aside for viewing with staff. With a keen interest in the arts and a love of the natural world, she choose a number of items themed around nature, a large William Morris samples book, rolls of ornate textiles and a musical instrument for the private moment. More than 500,000 creative works, from individual items to whole collections like the Glastonbury festival archive, are stored at the site, the majority of the V&A's collection. Kate, patron of the V&A, told its deputy director and chief operating officer Tim Reeve 'it's so eclectic' as they stood in a huge space housing objects around them adding: 'It's all part of the process of displaying and curating.' The princess wore a smart trouser suit for the visit to the storehouse in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and wore stiletto heels despite the attraction's website advising on flat shoes as the 'metal grid flooring is not suitable for stilettos or kitten heels'. Mr Reeve said later about Kate: 'It's clear today she really loves the idea of what we're trying to do, show that back-of-house world and to be a member of the public seeing that behind-the-scenes experience is what this is about. 'She's obviously fortunate to see quite a bit of the back-of-house world, but I think she really understood today that she was sharing it with the public, everyone is seeing the same space, everyone has that privileged access to our collection.' Commenting on the items Kate had asked to be shown, he added: 'I did have a look at what was laid out, and some amazing things as always, an amazing musical instrument, there's lots of stuff that's related to nature. 'One of the things I saw that she'll be super interested in is this big William Morris fabric sample book, it's an enormous thing and you can sort of flick through.'
Irish Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Kate Middleton all smiles as she wows in chic suit on behind-the-scenes tour
Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, made a surprise appearance at a brand new cultural attraction for a behind the scenes tour. Kate visited the brand new V&A East Storehouse in East London on Tuesday, where she wore a chic navy suit that exactly matched her host Tristram Hunt, director of the V&A's, own suit in the same colour, to celebrate the joy found in creative expression. She joined members of the public for a two-hour tour of the building. The three-storey attraction on Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, East London, has put more than half a million exhibits and archives from the V&A collections on show - which are usually hidden out of sight. Kate, who scored a degree in arts history at University of St Andrews, mingled with some of the first tourists and visitors after the storehouse opened its doors on May 31, and even asked for five exhibits to be brought out so she could study in more detail, the Mirror reports. Kate's tour began behind the scenes where thousands of exhibits are being cared for before going on display she marvelled at a William Morris designed screen she said "wow " and "love the twist here". Speaking to Tim Reeve, deputy director at the V&A, she said: "What a fantastic idea. What an opportunity for everyone to see these historic pieces in first person." And added: "It's so eclectic. And all parts of the process of displaying and curating." The V&A East Storehouse has more than half a million artefacts including 350,000 library books, 250,000 objects and thousands of letters, posters and flyers - including the Glastonbury Festival archives. It also contains some dresses which belonged to the late Queen Elizabeth II, Keith Moon's drum kit, shoes designed by Zahra Hadid and a petal from the London 2012 opening ceremony cauldron. Visitors can also see a section of the 1960s Robin Hood Gardens housing project, in Poplar, East London, which has now been demolished. In September it will open the David Bowie Centre after securing his estate's archives including letters, instruments and costumes. During her tour, Kate pulled on protective gloves to caress a 19th century riding habit and she said: "It's so delicate." Then as she was shown a 1970s photogram dress she 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 team needed to photograph a 1943 ballet shoe worn by Alice Markova at a performance of Giselle at the Old Vic. The inside sole of the shoe had been signed by the ballerina who had also penned a 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 Mr Hunt, she marvelled at the 10.4m by 11.7m fabric which was backdrop for the 1924 Ballets Russes production of Le Train Bleu, and signed by Picasso. Mingling with the public in the vast Weston Collections Hall she looked impressed at the previously locked up artefacts out on show for visitors. Wearing stiletto heels Kate held onto the glass railing as she walked the metal grid floor. The V&A website recommends visitors wearing practical clothing and flat shoes saying the metal grid flooring is not suitable for stilettos or kitten heels. The storehouse also allows visitors to book online to view up to five objects in a study room. The princess had her own private viewing time with five items which the press were allowed in. But speaking afterwards Tim Reeve said the princess requested to see a musical instrument, some William Morris fabric samples and items relating to nature. Cristina Juan, Head of Philipine Studies at SOAS, was working in one of the rooms after ordering five textiles for research. She told Kate: "It's amazing as I've been waiting for three years." Speaking afterwards she said: "I didn't know she was coming. Now they've opened this and I can order online they take out of storage whatever you like. Now it's as easy as ordering from Uber." The idea of opening up the storehouse to the public was dreamed up after the V&A learned in 2015 it had to move its archives from an old building. Speaking afterwards, Tim Reeve hailed the 'eclectic magic' of the collection. He celebrated the V&A East Storehouse for 'pulling back the curtain' on all of its collection. And speaking about their royal visitor he said: '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 wanted to see it as the public saw it and didn't want to impose.'
The Irish Sun
a day ago
- The Irish Sun
Art-loving Princess Kate dazzles on tour of London's newest tourist attraction
PRINCESS Kate has dazzled during a tour of London's newest attraction. The Princess of Wales, 43, has been shown around V&A East Storehouse after the site opened last month. Advertisement 3 Kate dazzled in blue during the tour today Credit: Andrew Parsons / Kensington Palace 3 The Princess of Wales during a visit to the V&A East Storehouse in east London Credit: Andrew Parsons / Kensington Palace 3 Kate spent time viewing some of the incredible objects at the site Credit: Andrew Parsons / Kensington Palace The three-storey attraction is situated on The Storehouse boasts half a million Where possible glass has been removed to get visitors closer to exhibits. During the tour, Kate saw the storeroom in action and meet curators who collect, conserve and display the masterpieces. Advertisement Read more Royals It comes after the It shows off everything from It features a huge new David Bowie exhibition, opening in September 2025, with more than 80,000 items from the star's life. Visitors can also see what happens behind the scenes in a museum - why and how they collect objects and how they look after them. Advertisement Most read in Royals Live Blog This includes a glimpse at conservators preserving items like clothing, paintings and puppets. The purpose-built home includes more than 250,000 objects, 350,000 library books and 1,000 archives from the The Prince and Princess of Wales are celebrating the birth of quadruplet puppies According to the website: 'Because the V&A's collections span 'The sheer scale of Storehouse means it is now possible to see other huge artefacts, including Advertisement In a world-first, the centre offers an 'Order an Object experience,' which lets visitors book in advance to see a specific item up close, along with an experienced member of staff. The Storehouse has opened a short walk from where the new V&A East Museum is being built, and which is scheduled to open in 2026. Princess Kate has been busy of late, having officially named HMS Joined by her husband, Advertisement Then flicked up a small red 'launch' button to conduct the traditional naming ritual at the BAE Systems' shipyard in Scotstoun, on the bank of the A bottle of exclusive single malt whisky made by Kate has been the ship's sponsor since 2021 and this was her first naming ceremony for a naval vessel. Each bottle of the whisky sold includes a donation to HMS Glasgow's chosen charity, Place2Be, of which the Princess is patron, and which supports children's mental health in the city. Advertisement A bagpiper marked the start of the 25-minute ceremony before a P-8 Poseidon Maritime Patrol Aircraft from 120 Squadron at Sir Simon Lister, managing director of BAE Systems Naval Ships, and Second Sealord Vice Admiral Sir Martin Connell, gave speeches. Sir Martin Connell thanked the Prince and Princess for their support in reaching the milestone.
