Cape Town - The Duchess of Cambridge has described her first official portrait as "amazing", reports The Gaurdian newspaper.
Renowned artist Paul Emsley, who was born in Glasgow and raised in South Africa, had the chance to create the masterpiece of Kate. The portrait had been contracted by the National Portrait Gallery following her suggestion.
Emsley used various photographs, shot from two sittings he had organised with Catherine, to create the head and shoulders painting of her. Various techniques were used during the creation of the portrait.
Emsley described on the gallery's official website that the Duchess wanted to be portrayed naturally, as opposed to her official self.
"She struck me as enormously open and generous and a very warm person. After initially feeling it was going to be an unsmiling portrait I think it was the right choice in the end to have her smiling - that is really who she is."
'It's absolutely beautiful'
Before the piece went on display at the National Portrait Gallery, Kate and Prince William joined Emsley for a private viewing on Friday morning.
After having spent 10 minutes viewing the portrait in private, Kate and William met with Emsley, his wife Susanne and their daughter Marie.
According to Emsley, Catherine was "amazed" by the artwork.
"It's just amazing, I thought it was brilliant," she reportedly told him. Prince William was also very fond of the painting, saying: "It's beautiful, it's absolutely beautiful."
Take a look at how Emsley sat down to create Catherine's official portrait.
Renowned artist Paul Emsley, who was born in Glasgow and raised in South Africa, had the chance to create the masterpiece of Kate. The portrait had been contracted by the National Portrait Gallery following her suggestion.
Emsley used various photographs, shot from two sittings he had organised with Catherine, to create the head and shoulders painting of her. Various techniques were used during the creation of the portrait.
Emsley described on the gallery's official website that the Duchess wanted to be portrayed naturally, as opposed to her official self.
"She struck me as enormously open and generous and a very warm person. After initially feeling it was going to be an unsmiling portrait I think it was the right choice in the end to have her smiling - that is really who she is."
'It's absolutely beautiful'
Before the piece went on display at the National Portrait Gallery, Kate and Prince William joined Emsley for a private viewing on Friday morning.
After having spent 10 minutes viewing the portrait in private, Kate and William met with Emsley, his wife Susanne and their daughter Marie.
According to Emsley, Catherine was "amazed" by the artwork.
"It's just amazing, I thought it was brilliant," she reportedly told him. Prince William was also very fond of the painting, saying: "It's beautiful, it's absolutely beautiful."
Take a look at how Emsley sat down to create Catherine's official portrait.