Going for gold! Duchess of Cambridge heralds Olympics with hooped necklace as she visits Games exhibition at National Portrait Gallery

-Kate visited the Road to 2012: Aiming High exhibition
-She wore a distinctive gold hooped necklace, electric blue Stella McCartney dress and black Prada heels


By Rebecca English


The Duchess of Cambridge heralded next week's London Olympics by wearing a distinctive gold hooped necklace today.

The necklace was one from her own wardrobe, but aides said she thought it appropriate to wear it today given the Olympic theme.

Kate, 30, also flew the flag as she sported a pretty electric blue dress by British designer Stella McCartney.

Her outfit was completed with black Prada heels - and her trademark blow dry.

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The Duchess of Cambridge arrived at the National Portrait Gallery for an unveiling of the Queens portrait today


She donned a pretty electric blue dress by Stella McCartney and black Prada heels


Showing off her enviable legs, Kate arrives at the National Portrait Gallery, of which she is a patron


Kate completed her look with her trademark glossy blow-dry

The Duchess of Cambridge looked as glamorous as ever in her public appearance today

Kate arrived at the gallery just off Trafalgar Square in a chauffeur driven car at 9.05am and was greeted by dignitaries including Dame Tanith Grey-Thompson.

The Duchess actually features in the exhibition herself in a black and white photograph taken by Jillian Edlestein at a Team GB hockey event at the Olympic Park earlier this year.

The Duchess also popped in to see a couple of the other exhibitions and viewed footage of a bare chested sleeping David Beckham taken by Sam Taylor wood.

She also viewed the NPG's Diamond Jubilee Exhibition on The Queen, Art and Image.

Today’s engagement was the first of several involving the Duchess over the coming weeks with an Olympic theme.

Kate was visiting the gallery, of which she is patron, to view a new exhibition entitled Road to 2012: Aiming High.


Kate showed her support of Team GB with a subtle yet distinctive necklace featuring a gold hoop


Kate flew the flag for Britain with a stylish gold hooped necklace and Stella McCartney dress, which she teamed with a pair of black Prada heels

The Duchess of Cambridge spoke with Paralympian and London 2012 Ambassador, Tanni Grey-Thompson during her visit to 'Road to 2012 : Aiming High' exhibition

It is the final – and largest – part of the NPG’s three-year Olympic-themed project, which has documented the preparations for London 2012.

Working with several internationally renowned photographers, it has created a lasting record of the people who are contributing to the summer’s events, from world-class athletes and those working behind the scenes, to people living and working in the host boroughs for the 2012 Games.

The current exhibition showcases more than 100 portraits by Anderson & Low, Jillian Edelstein and Nadav Kander following the final stages of the preparations.


The Duchess actually features in the exhibition herself in a black and white photograph taken by Jillian Edlestein at a Team GB hockey event at the Olympic Park earlier this year

Kate shares some laughs with photographer Johnathan Anderson, Edwin Low and Paralympian Alexandra Rickham

The photographs range highly crafted images of athletes' physical perfection and endurance to documentary-style pictures of those living and working the East of London.

Royal aides said the Duchess had been looking forward to viewing the exhibition ‘immensely’ as she is a keen photographer herself.

She wrote her history of art degree dissertation at St Andrew’s University on the photography of the Alice in Wonderland author, Lewis Carroll.


Kate listens to a speech during her visit to 'Road to 2012 : Aiming High' exhibition at the National

Kate looked radiant as she arrived at the gallery just off Trafalgar Square in a chauffeur driven car this morning

In 2007, she also curated an exhibition of celebrity portraits by the photographer Alistair Morrison at a London gallery.

Morrison, who has many of his portraits on display in the NPG and has worked with the Duchess on her photography, has said of her work: ‘She is very, very good, and it shows. She takes beautiful, detailed photographs.’

Before marrying Prince William last year, the Duchess worked for her parents’ mail order partyware business, Party Pieces, where her roles included catalogue design and photography.


Kate, who is known for her love of photography, seemed to be enjoying herself on her visit to the gallery

The Prince of Wales is understood to be encouraging his daughter-in-law to pursue her love for photography

And during her inaugural royal tour of Canada and California last year, the Duchess was often seen with her camera, taking personal pictures of their trip.

The Prince of Wales is understood to be encouraging his daughter-in-law to pursue her love for photography and there has even been talk of her staging an exhibition of her work in aid of some of her charitable causes.


Director of the National Portrait Gallery, Sandy Nairne makes a speech


Catherine The Duchess of Cambridge at The National Portrait Gallery, Charing Cross Road London




source: dailymail