Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge, graces the cover of the centenary issue of the British edition of Vogue that went on newsstands yesterday. The first magazine cover for the duchess is the result of a collaboration between British Vogue and Britain’s National Portrait Gallery. Two of her portraits from the shoot are displayed in the Vogue 100: A Century of Style exhibit at the Gallery celebrating the magazine’s 100 years. The duchess is patron of the National Portrait Gallery and an avid photographer.
Seven new photographs of the duchess were taken by British photographer Josh Olins last January in the Norfolk countryside near the Amner Hall home of Kate and Prince William. The seven pictures show a fresh and radiant Kate looking relaxed with a minimum of makeup and shining hair. Her preference for a natural portrait is evident in her choice of country-chic wardrobe.
Kate is said to have collaborated with the British Vogue editor Alexandra Shulman and senior style director Lucinda Chambers in selecting British designers for the photo shoot. The British Vogue cover shows Kate wearing a $7,500 double-breasted suede coat and $424 white jacquard shirt, both by Burberry. Her snappy green fedora is from London vintage shop Beyond Retro.
Kate actually suggested the last photo of the day because the light was especially beautiful. In the glow of the late afternoon sun, she is leaning over a wooden gate in front of a stone farm building. The duchess wears a $51 striped red and black top by Petit Bateau. A similar jersey t-shirt is available for $105. Her $1,007 stretch boot cut navy trousers are from Burberry.
A glimpse of the Cambridge’s family car is shown in that photograph. The British four-wheel SUV is a Land Rover Defender.
Wednesday Kate saw the portraits for the first time when she toured the Vogue 100: A Century of Style exhibit wearing a pink Alexander McQueen outfit. Also on display in the National Portrait Gallery exhibition is one of the four Vogue covers of the late Princess Diana. The iconic shot of Diana in black and white and wearing a tiara was captured by Patrick Demarchelier.
Readers can buy the historic June issue that celebrates 100 years of British Vogue by going online as well as on newsstands worldwide. The interactive edition is available when you go to the iTunes App Store, and Android users can get the standard edition through Google Play.
