The first official portrait of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge together has been unveiled at the University of Cambridge’s Fitzwilliam Museum. The portrait was painted by award-winning portrait artist, Jamie Coreth, as was commissioned last year by the Cambridgeshire Royal Portrait Fund as a gift to the people of the county.
Commenting on the portrait, Coreth said, “As it is the first portrait to depict them together, and specifically during their time as Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, I wanted the image to invoke a feeling of balance between their public and private lives.”
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge travelled to Fitzwilliam Museum on Thursday to meet with Jamie Coreth and to see the final version of the portrait go on display.
Jamie Coreth/Fine Art Collections/Fitzwilliam Museum
Coreth chose to honour the city of Cambridge by using the tones and colours of many of its historical buildings in the background of the portrait as well as using a hexagonal architectural motif seen on buildings across the city.
Jamie Coreth continued, “It has been the most extraordinary privilege of my life to be chosen to paint this picture. I wanted to show Their Royal Highnesses in a manner where they appeared both relaxed and approachable, as well as elegant and dignified. The piece was commissioned for the people of Cambridgeshire, and I hope they will enjoy it as much as I have enjoyed creating it.”
Members of the public will be able to view the portrait in the Fitzwilliam Museum for a period of three years after which the image will move to various other locations around Cambridgeshire.