Much larger than life and as glossily tumbling locked as a shampoo commercial, the first official portrait of the Duchess of Cambridge has been unveiled at the National Portrait Gallery. The duchess had slipped in before the gallery opened – mindful of the media scrum at the actual unveiling, which included television crews from Germany and Russia – with her husband. “It’s just amazing, I thought it was brilliant,” she said. “Delightful,” gallery director Sandy Nairne said of meeting the couple. “A delightful experience,” artist Paul Emsley said. There is no tiara, gilt, red plush or ermine, just a sober background, a plain, dark blue-green blouse modestly fastened up to the neck, and a glint of one expensive earring. Emsley, Glasgow-born, South Africa-reared and winner of the 2007 BP portrait prize, said he had faced one difficulty with the portrait. He said Kate was just too beautiful to make a good subject. “I think any artist would agree that with an older face, with lines or wrinkles, or strong distinguishing features, it’s easier to create a likeness. But with a genuinely beautiful face, it’s harder to convey character.” That character was, he felt, genuinely friendly, warm, putting him at ease immediately and interested in the progress of the work, which was made from dozens of close-up photographs and a few sketches. “She’s so nice to be with,” he said, “and it’s genuine.”The duchess sat for the painting at the artist’s studio in Bradford on Avon and at Kensington Palace last May and June. Her one request was that she should look like a natural human being, not a woman on official duty. The original plan for an unsmiling face evolved into a gentle enigmatic smile – but no teeth. “There isn’t a single open-mouthed portrait in the collection,” Nairne said, “and for very good reason.”
