Kate Looks Beautiful in Blue Attending her First Engagement of 2014

Zimbio

 

Tonight, Kate carried out her first engagement of 2014. She attended the black tie Portrait Gala joining stars from the world of art and showbiz at the National Portrait Gallery in London.

Daniel Deme/WENN.com/Daily Mail

 

Ben Eade/GoffPhotos.com/Daily Mail

 

DFS-David Fisher/Rex Features/Daily Mail

 

Guests attending the event included legendary photographer David Bailey, Olympic Gold medalist Katherine Grainger, transvestite potter Grayson Perry, actor Alan Rickman, actress Liz Hurley, and artist Jonathan Yeo.

PA/Daily Mail

 

Zimbio

 

AP/Alastair Grant/Pool/Metro

 

Funds raised by the Gala will support the Gallery's work of delivering inspirational exhibitions and displays, offering unique learning opportunities and undertaking world class research.

 

Jorge Herrera/National Portrait Gallery

 

Mirror

 

Zimbio

 

Some of the proceeds will go towards the Gallery's Portrait Fund, which allows it to acquire portraits of outstanding national importance for the Collection.

Mirror

 

National Portrait Gallery

 

The Duchess was escorted by Sandy Nairne, the director of the National Portrait Gallery to view a display of 200 mystery portrait postcards created anonymously for the gala by a selection of well known artists including Perry, Julian Opie and Alex Katz. The postcards will be sold as part of the fundraising effort.

Jorge Herrera/National Portrait Gallery

Mirror

 

Jorge Herrera/National Portrait Gallery

 

After the viewing, Kate gave a short speech to guests before dinner.

Beretta/Sims/REX/Daily Mail

 

Beretta/Sims/REX/Daily Mail

 

The Duchess of Cambridge, once again, demonstrated her thriftiness by wearing her petrol silk, floor-length Jenny Packham gown ($5,405) for the second time. She first wore the dress last October to the 100 Women in Hedge Funds gala.

Mirror

 

Around her neck, Kate wore a priceless diamond necklace on loan from the Queen. The necklace is known as 'The Nizam of Hyderabad necklace.' It is still occasionally worn by the Queen today.

Anovabooks.com

 

CAMERA PRESS/Baron/Daily Mail

 

The necklace was part of a set gifted to Queen Elizabeth II as a wedding present in 1974 by the very wealthy Nizam. He asked the Queen to choose two pieces from Cartier. She chose a tiara and a necklace based on an English rose.

The Royal Collection

 

The tiara was subsequently broken up to create other pieces but the necklace remains intact. It consists of a long chain of 38 diamonds (reduced from the original 46) with a diamond-encrusted snap. The center of the necklace is pave-set with detachable double-drop pendant 13 emerald-cut diamonds and a pear-shaped drop.

Zimbio

 

Jimmy Choo

 

Completing her outfit, the Duchess wore her diamond earrings thought to be a gift from Prince Charles and her Jimmy Choo Cosmic pumps.

PA/Daily Mail

 

Update 2/12/2014

 

 

It looks like Kate has a new addition to her jewelry collection. Along with her engagement ring and wedding band there was also a diamond eternity band. No further information on the new ring is available at this time.