Kate Middleton appears to be giving Prince William a portrait of herself for his thirtieth birthday today, June 21. That is secret number 1, because no official announcement has been made, but Duchess Catherine sat for a portrait done in oils, back in March. The artist has been kept under wraps, too, not to mention the pose and the clothing, but Artlyst has some answers.
After much speculation, the artist chosen is Nicola Jane Philipps, the Welsh artist who painted the well-known portrait of Prince William and Prince Harry, together. It now hangs in the National Portrait Gallery in London.
Kate Middleton may or may not have 
commissioned the painting, which would be fabulously expensive, but she definitely posed for it in March, in a full-length setting. Sources say she wore an Alexander McQueen dress designed by Sarah Burton—the designer who did her wedding gown. No details are available on the dress, itself.
The final burning question—will the portrait be displayed at the small and intimate birthday party Kate Middleton is throwing in Glouchestershire for Prince William? He's there finishing up some training. The Duchess of Cambridge is there because he is there, and so, apparently, is the birthday party. Kate Middleton's family plans parties as a business. And sources say Duchess Catherine has asked friend Guy Pelly—the nightclub owner—for help. With those resources, how can they go wrong?
But the portrait will probably not be on display. The reason? It may not be finished yet. And whether or not it will actually belong to Prince William, it is definitely set to spend some time at the NPG. The portrait is set to be unveiled at the gallery early next year. So, happy birthday, Prince William. The money he inherits from his mother today, should make up for not having this other gift in hand.
© Cindy Kroiss – Gather Inc. 2012
Follow Cindy Kroiss on Twitter
recommend
Facebook
Twitter
bookmark 
print
