THE dressed-down Duchess of Cambridge stars as a Vogue cover girl for the
very first time.
Kate, 34, was photographed in the Norfolk countryside earlier this year for a
“natural” shoot.
On the magazine’s cover she grins in a vintage hat and country clobber – by
Brit label Burberry.
And in another shot, wearing a striped £35 t-shirt by Petit Bateau and
Burberry trousers, she poses against a farm gate near her Anmer Hall home.
A royal aide said: “The informal portrait reflects the Duchess’ personality.
“She wanted something relaxed and to do it outside.
“Vogue provided the clothes but it was very much with the Duchess’ style in
mind.
“The shoot was in January and we were very lucky with the weather as it was
surprisingly sunny.
“It took a couple of hours with about six outfit changes and half a dozen
portraits.
“The Duchess was very relaxed and loved the pictures.”
It’s Kate’s first ever magazine shoot and will be on the cover of June’s
Vogue, out next week.
The pictures are to celebrate Vogue’s 100th anniversary and will also be hung
in London’s National Portrait Gallery.
Kate is following in Princess Diana’s footsteps, who was featured on the
magazine’s cover four times (1981, 1991, 1994 & 1997).
The shoot was organised by Vogue and the National Portrait Gallery – of which
the Duchess has been patron from 2012.
Two of her pictures form part of the Gallery’s current exhibition *Vogue 100:
A Century of Style*.
READ MORE:
Pictured:
The Indian seamstress earning £75 a month who made Kate’s dress
And seven pictures by photographer Josh Olins, with an article by editor
Alexandra Shulman on the shoot, will be in the centenary Vogue issue.
On the British Vogue cover the coat and shirt are Burberry and the vintage hat
is from Beyond Retro.
The black and white head shot features the same coat and shirt by Burberry.
Director of the National Portrait Gallery Nicholas Cullinan and Ms Shulman
selected the final images for the magazine and exhibition.
Mr Cullinan said: “Josh has captured The Duchess exactly as she is – full of
life, with a great sense of humour, thoughtful and intelligent, and in fact,
very beautiful.
“Not only do they reflect her love of the countryside, interest in photography
and championing of the National Portrait Gallery as our very committed
Patron, but they also encapsulate what Vogue has always done so brilliantly
– to pair the best photographers with the great personalities of the day, in
order to reflect broader shifts in culture and society.
“We had fun in making and choosing these images, and I hope that comes across.”
Alexandra Shulman Editor-in-Chief of British Vogue said: “To be able to
publish a photographic shoot with HRH The Duchess of Cambridge has been one
of my greatest ambitions for the magazine.
“I’m delighted the Duchess agreed to work with us and the National Portrait
Gallery, and as a result of this unique collaboration we have a true
celebration of our centenary as well as a fitting tribute to a young woman
whose interest in both photography and the countryside is well known.”
— SEE the full shoot in the June Centenary Issue of British Vogue, on sale
Thursday 5th May.
Fashion verdict
KATE Middleton’s Vogue cover debut is a royal let-down, writes Deputy Fashion
Editor Gabriele Dirvanauskas.
She is channelling the type of farmer chic last spotted on Countryfile’s Julia
Bradbury.
It’s very different to Vogue’s glam shots of Princess Diana, mum to Kate’s
husband William.