Photographs taken by Paolo Roversito mark The Duchess’ 40th birthday will be displayed at St James the Less Church Pangbourne, Reading Museum, Wardlaw Museum and Oriel Môn.
Following their acquisition into the Gallery’s permanent Collection, three portraits taken to mark the occasion of Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge’s 40th birthday will be displayed at four venues in three respective locations across the UK – Berkshire, St Andrews and Anglesey.
The photographs, taken by photographer Paolo Roversi in November 2021, will feature as part of the National Portrait Gallery’s Coming Home project, which sees the Gallery lend portraits of well-known individuals to places with which they are closely associated. The project has enabled works from the Gallery’s national Collection to travel to towns and cities across the UK, providing communities with the opportunity to see iconic works locally, while the Gallery remains closed for its Inspiring People redevelopment.
The locations that Roversi’s three portraits will travel to were selected in consultation with The Duchess herself, who has a special affinity to each.
The photograph that depicts The Duchess seated, gazing to the left, will be displayed firstly at St James the Less Church from 22 March to 5 April 2022, then at Reading Museum from 7 April to 4 June 2022. The Church, situated in the village of Pangbourne, has welcomed the Middleton family as parishioners over several generations and the Reading Museum was chosen due to its proximity to the Royal Berkshire Hospital, where The Duchess was born. The church is open every day from 10am to 4pm. On Sundays, Wednesdays and Fridays services will be taking place from 10 – 11.30am so entry will be restricted. Additionally, the church will be open on the evenings of Thursday 24th and Thursday 31st March from 7pm to 9pm.
The photograph of The Duchess dressed in red will be displayed between 13 June and 30 September 2022 at the Wardlaw Museum, University of St Andrews, where The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge met while studying. The third photograph in Roversi’s series shows The Duchess in a white dress, smiling straight at the camera. This portrait will be displayed at Anglesey’s Oriel Môn between 16 July and 2 October 2022, where The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge first lived together in their early years of marriage.
Paolo Roversi is one of the most highly respected and influential image-makers of our time. Often working in the studio, he uses both traditional and digital techniques to create ethereal and soulful portraits. For this series, The Duchess and Roversi took inspiration from nineteenth-century photography, which was the subject of Her Royal Highness’ undergraduate thesis at the University of St. Andrews.
Nicholas Cullinan, Director of the National Portrait Gallery, said:
“The Duchess of Cambridge has been a very committed Patron of the National Portrait Gallery since 2012, reflecting a great interest in photography and portraiture. As one of her first and earliest patronages, we are delighted to be sharing Paolo Roversi’s wonderful portraits, taking each to a place of resonance across the United Kingdom for Her Royal Highness as part of our Coming Home project.”
The Bishop of Oxford, the Rt Revd Dr Steven Croft said:
“We are thrilled that Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge has chosen St James the Less Church, Pangbourne to display her portrait. As well as being welcoming spaces at the heart of communities for local for people to use and enjoy visiting, churches often hold significant personal connection and meaning for many people. Each building holds the faith, heritage and vibrant history of a place which has served communities for centuries.
"Hosting the portrait at the Church offers an encouraging opportunity for local people in and around Pangbourne to spend time in the church, reflecting how churches leaders and congregations have been stepping in to support local people over the past couple of years. For some, it might even be the first time they are inside a church building and experience something that is outside of typical Sunday worship.”
Photo portrait of HRH The Duchess of Cambridge by Paolo Roversi, to mark the Duchess's 40th birthday. The portrait will be displayed at St James the Less Church, Pangbourne, from 22 March to 5 April 2022.
ENDS
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Notes to editors
Coming Home is supported by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, by generous contributions from The Thompson Family Charitable Trust, and by funds raised at the gallery’s Portrait Gala in 2017. #PortraitsComingHome
These portraits can be visited by all and are free of charge to view in the following locations in Berkshire:
- St James the Less Church, Pangbourne, 22 March – 5 April 2022
The church is open every day from 10am to 4pm. On Sundays, Wednesdays and Fridays services will be taking place from 10 – 11.30am so entry will be restricted. Additionally, the church will be open on the evenings of Thursday 24th and Thursday 31st March from 7pm to 9pm.
- Reading Museum, Berkshire, 7 April – 4 June 2022
And the following locations in Scotland and Wales:
- Wardlaw Museum, University of St Andrews, 13 June – 30 September 2022
- Oriel Môn, Anglesey, 16 July – 2 October 2022
National Portrait Gallery
The National Portrait Gallery was founded in 1856 to encourage, through portraiture, the appreciation and understanding of the people who have made and are making British history and culture. Today it promotes engagement with portraiture in all media to a wide-ranging public by conserving, growing and sharing the world’s largest collection of portraits.
The Gallery in St Martin’s Place, London is currently closed until 2023, while essential building works take place on the Inspiring People redevelopment project, which will transform the Gallery, including a complete refurbishment of the building and a new learning centre. During the closure period, the Gallery will continue to share its Collection through its digital channels and a series of nationwide partnerships and collaborations.