British Vogue Magazine has pulled off the biggest, not to mention the most exclusive, coop in the magazine industry by managing to secure Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge, for the cover of their 100th anniversary issue!
According to Kensington Palace, the shoot came about as result of a collaboration between Vogue Magazine and Britain’s National Portrait Gallery, of which Kate is a patron.
The shoot, which took place on a farm in Norfolk where the Duchess lives, was kept a firm secret until Saturday night when Kensington Palace made the big reveal via social media.
Just two images will be placed on display in the National Portrait Gallery, however a total of seven images will appear in the June issue of Vogue. Kensington Palace also revealed that Kate will be visiting the gallery this Wednesday to view the images.
While no strange to magazines, this is the Duchess’s first official magazine photoshoot.
For the cover, she can be seen wearing a suede trench and crisp white shirt, both by Burberry, and accessorised with a green hat from the vintage store, Beyond Retro.
In the second shot unveiled to the public, Kate can be seen leaning against a wooden gate wearing a £35 striped black and red jersey top by Petit Bateau over a pair of £695 Burberry stretch boot cut trousers.
Surprisingly, Mario Testino was not the chosen photographer. Despite having shot for the Cambridges at their engagement and Charlotte’s christening, both he and other usual names such as Annie Leibovitz – who shot the Queen’s official birthday portraits – and Patrick Demarchelier – who shot Princess Diana’s final Vogue cover – were eschewed in favour of top British photographer, Josh Olins.
According to Alexandra Shulman, British Vogue’s editor-in-chief, the all-day shoot was FAR from glamorous. She revealed it took place “in a field somewhere down several tracks” She also added that there were some farm buildings available for the crew to use as a dressing room.”
She also revealed that Kate, herself a keen photographer, watched how Josh worked with the light and asked a lot of questions.
“It was her choice to shoot that picture where she is leaning over the gate because the late afternoon sun was particularly beautiful.”
The editor added that the shoot was, “a fitting tribute to a young woman whose interest in both photography and the countryside is well known”
Vogue editor-in-chief Alexandra Shulman discusses the Duchess’s 2 portraits with Nicholas Cullinan, Director of the National Portrait Gallery.
