A new milestone in royal art has been reached with the unveiling of the first official portrait of Prince William and Kate Middleton as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. Commissioned in 2021 by the Cambridgeshire Royal Portrait Fund and created by award-winning British artist Jamie Coreth, the painting captures the couple in a moment of elegance, approachability, and warmth. The piece is now on display at the Fitzwilliam Museum, University of Cambridge, where it will remain for public viewing for three years before moving to the National Portrait Gallery in London to mark its reopening
Reflecting Kate Middleton’s well-known fashion sense, the Duchess is depicted in a shimmering metallic green gown by The Vampire’s Wife, a label founded by Susie Cave, wife of musician Nick Cave. The dress, a favorite of Kate’s, was first worn during her 2020 trip to Dublin, and she has also chosen similar glistening designs by the brand for high-profile appearances, including a reception in the Caribbean. Kate complements the ensemble with Manolo Blahnik’s iconic emerald ‘Hangisi’ heels—famous from Sex and the City—and elegant pearl earrings. Prince William stands beside her in a classic black suit and coordinating blue tie, exuding understated refinement.
Coreth chose to portray the couple smiling, looking slightly away from the viewer, creating a sense of both intimacy and dignity. “It has been the most extraordinary privilege of my life to be chosen to paint this picture,” Coreth said. “I wanted to show Their Royal Highnesses in a manner where they appeared both relaxed and approachable, as well as elegant and dignified.” The portrait also honors Cambridgeshire, with the artist incorporating the historic colors and architecture of the county in the background, tying the couple visually to their namesake region.
Prince William and Kate viewed the completed painting for the first time on June 23 during a visit to Cambridgeshire. The portrait is significant not only as the first to depict them together officially but also as a representation of the balance between their public roles and private lives. Commissioned as a gift to the people of Cambridgeshire, the artwork is designed to be accessible to the public and celebrated as a lasting tribute to the Duke and Duchess’s time in this role.
The unveiling marks a blend of tradition and modernity, capturing one of the most photographed couples in the world with a fresh perspective that emphasizes both elegance and approachability, offering a new lens through which the public can appreciate the Cambridges’ enduring presence in British life.
