Joint portrait of The Duke & Duchess of Cambridge unveiled in Cambridgeshire

During today's visit to Cambridgeshire, a new joint portrait of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge was unveiled.

Credit: Jamie Coreth/Fine Art Commissions

Painted by award-winning British portrait artist Jamie Coreth, it is the first official joint portrait of the royal couple and commemorates the 10th anniversary of the couple receiving their royal titles. 

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have viewed the first official joint portrait of themselves on a visit to Cambridge’s Fitzwilliam Museum. William: ‘It’s quite big’ pic.twitter.com/NAy1jGqyQX

— Sam Russell (@SamRussellPA) June 23, 2022

The piece was commissioned in 2021 by the Cambridgeshire Royal Portrait Fund, which is held by the Cambridge Community Foundation, as a gift to Cambridgeshire.

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Mr Coreth revealed the couple attended joint sittings twice, and each made time for a further solo session to help the artist capture the necessary detail.

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The dress worn in the portrait is the emerald green 'Falconetti' Metallic Silk Dress by The Vampire’s Wife.  Kate debuted the shimmering frock in March 2020 during the Royal Visit to Ireland.

On her feet are a new pair of heels, the Manolo Blahnik 'Hangisi' 105 Pumps in Green Satin.

Credit: Jamie Coreth/Fine Art Commissions

They feature a timeless silhouette in elegant satin, finished with a luminous jewel embellishment. 

The Duchess dons two pieces of Princess Diana’s jewelry in the portrait: the Collingwood Pearl Drop Earrings and the Nigel Milne 3-Strand Pearl Bracelet.

Credit: Jamie Coreth/Fine Art Commissions

For the first time, Kate wears The Duchess of Cambridge's Pearl Pendant Brooch.  The heirloom piece was lent by The Queen for her sittings which took place at Kensington Palace.

Credit: Jamie Coreth/Fine Art Commissions

The brooch was made in the mid 19th century by Garrard for Princess Augusta, Duchess of Cambridge shown in the portrait below wearing the brooch.

It features a large bouton pearl, surrounded by a cluster of diamonds, with a diamond and baroque pearl pendant suspended from the cluster.  The pendant is detachable, and the cluster also features a loop that allows the piece to be worn as a pendant.

When Princess Augusta passed away, the brooch was inherited by her daughter Princess Mary Adelaide, and later by her daughter, Queen Mary.  When Queen Mary passed away in 1953, she left the brooch to her granddaughter Queen Elizabeth II who wears it both with and without the pearl drop.