Celebrity
Kate Middleton Princess of Wales surprises public during tour of new V&A storehouse
The Princess of Wales has been given a behind-the-scenes tour of a new cultural destination in east London, days before the royal family gather en masse for one of their biggest events of the year.
Kate made a surprise visit to the V&A East Storehouse, which houses 250,000 objects, 350,000 books and 1,000 special archives – items that would otherwise be in storage on public display.
Offering the public free, unprecedented access to the V&A collections and archives, visitors will be able to get closer to objects than ever before.
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While there, Kate tried out a key drawcard of the store which allows visitors to order items they want to see from the archives.
Among the five items the princess asked to see up close were a musical instrument, some William Morris fabric samples and “items relating to nature”.
She was also shown a small ballet slipper, an Alexander McQueen dress and the world’s largest Picasso work.
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She said: “What an opportunity for everyone to see these historic pieces. It’s so eclectic. And all parts of the process of displaying and curating.”
Kate, who has a degree in art history and is patron of the V&A, was shown around by the curatorial team who explained why objects are collected and how they are cared for, conserved and displayed.
She was given a behind the scenes tour where thousands of exhibits are being cared for before going on display.
Kate spent two hours at the storehouse and was shown around alongside members of the public who did not know she would be there.
The museum’s deputy director Tim Reeve said the princess had “really wanted to see it as the public saw it and didn’t want to impose”.
Among the items she was shown was a black and gold coat dress by Alexander McQueen.
Kate chose a blue suit by the British designer, accessorised with chunky gold jewellery.
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Later this week the Princess of Wales will join the King and Queen, and other members of the royal family, for Trooping the Colour.
The event, which is the sovereign’s official birthday, will take place on Saturday.
The Princess of Wales and her husband Prince William, and their three children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, are expected to appear on the balcony of Buckingham Palace to watch the Royal Air Force fly past following a military spectacle at the Horse Guard’s Parade.
More than 1,400 soldiers, 200 horses and 400 musicians will come together for the impressive display.
The royal family will travel from the palace to Horse Guard’s Parade in a procession via carriage, where they will watch the parade before returning to the palace.
King Charles is expected to ride in a carriage alongside Queen Camilla for the second year, a slight accommodation made due to the monarch’s ongoing battle with cancer.
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Prince William, as Colonel of the Welsh Guards, is expected to join Princess Anne and Prince Edward on horseback for a second year.
Only working members of the royal family are likely to appear on the Buckingham Palace balcony at the culmination of the event.
In previous years, under the reign of Elizabeth II, wider members of the family had been invited onto the coveted balcony.
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