
Over her years as a duchess, we've come to know Kate Middleton for her many talents: piano, various sports (including rugby, of course) and photography, to name a few.
For new exhibition Life Through a Royal Lens at Kensington Palace—AKA her official home base—the Duchess of Cambridge contributed three photos of her children. As such, she had a chat with exhibition staff about her love of photography, and how she got into it.
Luckily for us curious so-and-sos (do I sound like your elementary school teacher yet?), Claudia Acott Williams, curator at Historic Royal Palaces, shared some of that inside knowledge with Express.
"Her grandfather was a very good photographer," Acott Williams said. "When she was a child, he would show her his slides. It was him who taught her how to take photographs."
In turn, the duchess is continuing her grandpa's legacy by photographing her family, and sometimes sharing some of those photos on the Cambridges' official Instagram.
Middleton's interest in photography was sparked from a young age, and she pursued it in different formats, including by writing an entire dissertation as a college student about author Lewis Carroll's photographs of children.
According to Express, she wrote the following to the Lewis Carroll Society at the time: "I am interested in looking at Carroll's representations of 'the child' and whether his photographs support or conflict our notions of childhood."
This gives you quite a bit of insight into how thoughtful the royal must be when taking photos of her own children.
Life Through a Royal Lens, which opened on March 4 and will run through Oct. 30, takes visitors through the history of the Royal Family—from when the medium was first invented up to this day.
A post shared by Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (@dukeandduchessofcambridge)
A photo posted by on
Notably, the exhibition features a previously unseen photograph of Princess Diana, taken by David Bailey in 1988. The black and white image has been compared to the recent portraits of her daughter-in-law, Kate Middleton, which were unveiled on the occasion of the duchess' 40th birthday, per Us Weekly.
In a trailer for the exhibit, photographers who have worked with the Queen and other members of the Royal Family gave their thoughts on what that experience is like.
John Rankin Waddell, AKA Rankin, said, "You're looking through the lens at the person that's gonna be looking at that picture, and that's why we have this very intimate relationship with the Queen, and the rest of the Royal Family."
Iris Goldsztajn is a London-based journalist, editor and author. She is the morning editor at Marie Claire, and her work has appeared in the likes of InStyle, Cosmopolitan, Bustle and Shape. Iris writes about everything from celebrity news and relationship advice to the pitfalls of diet culture and the joys of exercise. She has many opinions on Harry Styles, and can typically be found eating her body weight in cheap chocolate.
-
The Perfumer Behind Last Year's Most Talked-About Fragrance Just Released Another Perfect Scent
Aqua Media Cologne forte embodies a feeling of balance and harmony.
By Deena Campbell
-
'Yellowface' Is Our June Book Club Pick
Read an excerpt from R.F. Kuang's latest novel, here, then dive in with us throughout the month.
By Brooke Knappenberger
-
I Scoured the Summer Runways—Here Are the Six Shoe Trends Actually Worth Buying
Hit the ground running this season.
By Emma Childs
-
Prince William Not Expected to Invite Prince Harry to His Coronation, Friend Claims
That doesn't sound good.
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
We Finally Know Where the Earthshot Prize 2023 Will Take Place
Let's go!
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
Princess Kate Is Seen Skipping Happily With Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte in Behind-the-Scenes Footage
This is too cute.
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
Prince Harry Blames 'Daily Mirror' Publishers for Chelsy Davy Breakup in Court Documents
The court case began this week.
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
Tabloid Stories About Prince Harry Came From Members of the Royal Family, 'Daily Mirror' Publisher Claims
These claims could corroborate previous statements from Harry.
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
Princess Kate Hugged a Little Girl Who Burst Into Tears During Windsor Walkabout, And Told Her Mom to Get Her an Ice Cream
So cute!!!
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
Here's How Princess Kate Kept an Eye on Prince Louis During the Coronation, According to a Body Language Expert
Smart.
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
Prince Louis Was Filmed Eating a S'more So Delicious It Literally Made Him "Weak at the Knees"
Oh, Louis.
By Iris Goldsztajn