One of the three portraits released to mark
the Duchess of Cambridge‘s 40th birthday on
Sunday was chosen by her husband, Prince William, and their children, it has been revealed.
According to an Italian newspaper, Corriere della Sera, who conducted an
interview with photographer Paolo Roversi, the black and white close-up shot of
Kate wearing a ruffled white shoulder Alexander McQueen gown and beaming at the
camera, is her family’s favourite.
The photographer said that in December the images were whittled down to
70 from a selection of 250, and revealed how he captured the Duchess in natural
light, with “little makeup, no hairstyle, simple earrings, a ring…The
focal point of Kate’s face is her gaze and smile”.
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This image is said to be Prince William and the children’s favourite
Another one of the three images released shows the Duchess smiling
directly at the camera in a one-shouldered red gown by wedding dress designer,
McQueen.
She is also shown in another black and white photograph, shot in
profile, wearing an off-the-shoulder gown and Princess Diana‘s Collingwood pearl earrings.
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The Duchess wore gowns by Alexander McQueen
Paolo also revealed how he got the Duchess to dance during the photo shoot, but unfortunately, the images are unlikely to be released publicly.
Paolo said: “In the end, I wanted to take pictures in motion, so
with that wonderful wide skirt I made her dance in front of my lens, a kind of
accelerated waltz mixed with a pinch of rock ‘n roll.”
The photographer, who has worked with supermodels Kate Moss and Naomi
Campbell, said of the Duchess that “she is a nice, welcoming woman
who puts you at ease, respectful of everyone’s work”.
Kate celebrated her special day privately with her family but shared a
personal thank you message on social media, writing: “Thank you for all of
your very kind birthday wishes and to Paolo and the National Portrait Gallery
for these three special portraits. C.”
