Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge, has carried out her first public solo engagement.
The Duchess, also known as Kate, visited London's National Portrait Gallery on Wednesday (February 8) for a special preview viewing of a new Lucian Freud exhibition.
Kate, who holds a degree in history of art from St. Andrews university, is also the gallery's patron.
She was walked around the exhibition by the gallery's director and viewed amongst others a controversial portrait of Queen Elizabeth.
Beforehand, the Director of the National Portrait Gallery talked about how the Duchess became one of their most famous patrons.
SOUNDBITE Sandy Nairne, Director of the National Portrait Gallery, saying (English):
"She [Duchess of Cambridge] came and visited with us late September, this was when she was exploring which organisations she might be patron of, and we had a whole day looking at all kinds of things, talking about things, seeing, coming to meetings. We didn't talk specifically about Lucian Freud, although I certainly mentioned the exhibition was coming up. So I will be fascinated this evening to know what she thinks of his work."
Freud, who died last year at the age of 88, painted the Queen with his characteristic naturalism and divided critics.
The Queen sat for the late artist between May 2000 and December 2001.
The Duchess of Cambridge will continue with her solo engagements on Valentine's Day when she will visit two of her chosen charities in Liverpool.
Her husband, Prince William is currently serving in the Royal Airforce in the Falkland Islands and won't be back in Britain until the middle of next month.
Mirja Mey, Reuters
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