The 40th Birthday Portraits of The Duchess of Cambridge

kate middleton 40th birthday portraits

Like all of us, the Royals age. And Catherine, The Duchess of Cambridge, has just reached the age of 40. Captured in three different photos to mark the occasion, here are the official Kate Middleton 40th birthday portraits.

Kate Middleton 40th Birthday Portraits

detail from a portrait of The Duchess by Paolo Roversi
detail from a portrait of The Duchess by Paolo Roversi

Italian photographer Paolo Roversi has immortalized the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton, in a series of photo portraits marking the royal’s 40th birthday on January 9th.

You might recall our post on the first official painted portrait of the Duchess way back in 2013 when she was 31. At that time we felt, as did the critics, that the painting aged Catherine and was not flattering.

the first official painting of The Duchess of cambridge
in 2013, the first official painting of The Duchess was revealed to mixed reviews

These, on the other hand, with their soft filters and desaturated color, make her appear both youthful and elegant.

photo (cropped) of the Duchess of Cambridge by Paolo Roversi
photo (cropped) of the Duchess of Cambridge by Paolo Roversi

Three different ethereal portraits, shot at Kew Gardens in London last November, were released Sunday on the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s Twitter account.

a close-up of one of the three portraits of Catherine by Paolo Roversi
a close-up of one of the three portraits of Catherine by Paolo Roversi

These photographs will be displayed at London’s National Portrait Gallery as part of their Coming Home project and will be shown over the course of this year in three places that have a special meaning to Her Royal Highness: Berkshire, St Andrews and Anglesey.

All three portraits feature Middleton in different outfits by Sarah Burton of Alexander McQueen. Middleton has been wearing McQueen regularly since Burton designed her wedding gown nearly 11 years ago.

Kate Middleton wore a Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen gown to wed Prince William

In one of the portraits, the Duchess is wearing a silk jacquard lace organza and tulle dress made from the fabric remnants of past collections.

kate middelton 40th 2 paolo roversi IIHIH

In another, our personal favorite of the three, she’s pictured in an off-the-shoulder tulle dress with gathered ribbon detailing. Former Princess Diana’s 12 carat sapphire engagement ring, now Catherine’s, can be seen on her hand in the photo.

catherine duchess of cambridge

In the only colored portrait, she dons a one-shoulder ballgown dress -with pockets!- in red poly faille.

kate middelton 40th 1 paolo roversi IIHIH

Roversi said in a statement that taking the portraits of the Duchess was a “true honor, and a moment of pure joy. I was moved by her warmth and friendly welcome and enchanted by her shining eyes that reflected the loveliness of her soul and her smile showing the generosity of her heart. I have met a wonderful person, a person who, with her positive energy, can bring hope to the whole world.” (WWD)

About the photographer:
Paolo Roversi (b.1947) is one of the most highly respected and influential image makers of the late twentieth and early twenty first centuries. Informed by a wide knowledge of the history of photography, his distinctive images have frequently been compared to nineteenth century practitioners such as Julia Margaret Cameron or Camille Silvy. At the same time Roversi has been an innovator who has mastered digital technologies and has continued to make exciting and visionary images photographing contemporary figures such as Rihanna, Emma Watson and Kristen Stewart. His work has been widely published and exhibited internationally and is held in the collection of the National Portrait Gallery, the Victoria and Albert Museum and the Museum of Modern Art, New York.

The Duchess’s 40th birthday pictures shown here courtesy of KENSINGTON PALACE /TWITTER and Instagram /Paolo Roversi