THE DUCHESS OF CAMBRIDGE
THE DUCHESS OF CAMBRIDGE REVELS IN HER NEW ROLE AS PATRON OF THE ROYAL PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY
REVELS
IN HER NEW ROLE AS PATRON OF THE ROYAL PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY
The Duchess of Cambridge managed to combine two of her greatest passions during a trip to a Royal Photographic Society workshop last week. Amateur photographer Kate got the chance to learn more about taking the perfect snap while also continuing her work with disadvantaged youngsters. The workshop was held in conjunction with the charity Action for Children at a children’s centre in Kingston upon Thames and saw Kate, 37, learning more about how to develop her skills behind the camera.
The trip coincided with the announcement she is now the royal patron of the Royal Photographic Society, a role held by Her Majesty the Queen for the past 67 years. Kate is also a patron of Action for Children, a charity that helps vulnerable children and young people.
Announcing her new role, a statement from Kensington Palace said: ‘The Duchess of Cambridge has a long-standing interest in photography and this patronage will further highlight the beneficial impact that art and creativity can have on emotional wellbeing, particularly for children and young people.’
Wearing a paisley-print £449 dress by Ridley London, Kate joined a group of children as they learnt more about how to take a good portrait and the importance of light and colour. The aim of the day was to highlight how young people can express their thoughts and feelings using cameras.
Kate herself has been praised for her photographer’s eye, after taking several gorgeous portraits of her children to mark landmark moments in their lives. Most recently she snapped three images of her
one-year-old son Prince Louis to celebrate his first birthday in April.
Speaking on the day, the Royal Photographic Society’s chief operating officer Mike Taylor said: ‘It is a huge honour to have the duchess as our patron, especially given her personal interest in photography.’
Her outing came in the same week that Kate and her husband Prince William were named Britain’s ‘most socially significant people’. William recently lent his support to the LGBT community as part of his work with the Albert Kennedy Trust, revealing he would ‘fully support’ his children if they were gay. Speaking to young people during a visit to the charity, which supports LGBT people who are at risk of homelessness, William added that he would be concerned only because of their position as members of the royal family, saying: ‘It worries me not because of them being gay; it worries me how everyone else will react and perceive it and the pressure is then on them.’
Last week Kate’s brother James Middleton spoke out once again about his battle with depression and anxiety, opening up about how his sister’s fame affected him. ‘Suddenly, and very publicly, I was being judged about whether I was a success or a failure,’ the 32 year old said in an interview.
He added of his sister and brother-in-law: ‘I lead a separate life to them. If there’s an interest in me, great. If there’s an interest in me because of them, that’s different.’