Kate Middleton Visit To Lucien Freud Exhibit Marks Duchess' First Solo Appearance (PHOTOS)

Wave lots and speak little: that's been Kate Middleton's mantra thus far.

But as she settles into her role as a royal, the Duchess of Cambridge is stepping out solo for her first public engagements sans Prince William, beginning with Wednesday's visit to London's National Portrait Gallery.

Catherine attended a preview of Lucian Freud Portraits, a new exhibit of works by the famous British painter. It's an appropriate first engagement for the duchess, who last month became a patron of the National Portrait Gallery and studied art history at St. Andrews University (where she met her prince).

For her artsy visit, Kate wore a feminine frock by Jesire with a full skirt and oversized collar, cinching her waist with a wide black belt. She accessorized with a diamond bracelet.

She also was wearing much higher heels than we're used to seeing on her -- are those platforms we spy?

While much has been made about this week and next's "solo engagements," technically this isn't Catherine's first time flying solo. In October 2011 she made first formal appearance without Prince William, donning a vintage Amanda Wakeley gown for a private dinner for the Prince of Wales' charity, In Kind Direct. (She also likes to run errands by herself, but we're guessing that doesn't count.)

But Wednesday marked her first solo public engagement, as her husband is away on a six-week deployment to the Falkland Islands in his role as a search and rescue helicopter pilot.

From a fashion perspective, she passed with flying colors. Check out the duchess' day at the museum and chime in: is this one of Kate's better looks?

UPDATE: A previous version of this post suggested that Kate wasn't wearing stockings, but she may in fact be wearing sheer tights.

Comments

[beyondliberal]

07:15 PM on 02/12/2012

Of course she has stockings on; you can see the shimmer. And the shoes? She's worn them before, and they ain't platforms.

[alaskan]

04:50 AM on 02/12/2012

Beautiful.

[Fran Selin Barnes]

12:03 AM on 02/12/2012

I can't believe the posts today. First, it was a DAY at the museum, not an evening do. Then, it is NOT an A-line dress; it was a fitted top dress with a full skirt with a belt. I think she was lovely and dressed perfectly.

[ABXNOMORE]

11:26 AM on 02/12/2012

It looks dark outside from the photos of her exiting the car?

[ABXNOMORE]

11:31 AM on 02/12/2012

Yes, it fits the proper definition of an A line dress and what you described is an A line dress.

[agness nutter]

02:03 AM on 02/13/2012

Apparently what constitutes "A line" has changed. I didn't think it was either. I wouldn't have thought a dress with a circle seam at the waist and gathered skirt would be considered A line.

[beautyontheinside]

02:17 PM on 02/11/2012

She is just so lovely, and she doesn't look so thin anymore.
Being a royal suits her to a "t", and she looks like she has come into her own.
Love that dress on her.

Go Duchess!

[MassTeacher]

10:06 AM on 02/11/2012

Kate is a very attractive future Queen of England.

[annasophie1228]

08:35 AM on 02/11/2012

i think she is an elegant young woman, she carries herself very well. she will only become more graceful as she matures.

[goatboyslim]

01:00 PM on 02/10/2012

Yeah, she looks great, yeah, she has on a great dress, but I'm still waiting to hear what she had to say about the paintings. Maybe I'm looking at the wrong coverage.......

[Wistfulslinking]

05:00 PM on 02/10/2012

Nothing is great about an A-line wool coatdress worn to an evening event.

[ABXNOMORE]

08:45 PM on 02/10/2012

It looks a bit sporty in style and fabric for the event and for black dress heels and a diamond bracelet.

[richardcheese02]

11:18 AM on 02/10/2012

Its great to see a beautiful young woman in pantyhose! Thank you Kate!

[shakylegs]

10:57 AM on 02/10/2012

I find that Kate is not a pretty woman, but she has class and style, something that she will retain for the rest of her life, when the early bloom of a simply pretty woman has long faded away.

[Mariah Dailey]

08:48 AM on 02/10/2012

Kate: "uh, Hello Sir, (*waves) My eyes are Up Here!"

[Mariah Dailey]

08:46 AM on 02/10/2012

Uh, photo #2 Who's the old geezer scoping out her chest?!

[not too impressed]

07:55 AM on 02/10/2012

A beautiful, charming, poised young woman. Quite a catch for Wills, and an excellent acquisition by 'the Firm' to help rebrand the monarchy for the younger target audience. Marketing is everything.

[ABXNOMORE]

08:59 AM on 02/10/2012

Especially if they want to stay in business!

[not too impressed]

09:26 AM on 02/10/2012

Oh, don't worry - they'll stay in business, whatever happens - they're not hurting for money. A number of them might actually enjoy a more retiring, private life, in which to enjoy their family millions without the public sniping about the costs of tiaras.

[christinalee90212]

04:31 AM on 02/10/2012

Umm...sweetheart. She is wearing pantyhose. Kate is wearing her usual ultra sheer with this outfit. Get your facts right.

[ABXNOMORE]

10:57 AM on 02/10/2012

Only a writer who is a fool would think that a member of the Royal family would go out without hose. It's vulgar in any situation not to, but it certainly would not happen in this "club". It's a given.

[Wistfulslinking]

05:06 PM on 02/10/2012

Ahem, it is Diana, Princess of Wales who stopped the wearing of "hose" in 1982.
Until she stopped wearing them with her suits to official engagements they were de rigueur.

It was a very hot Summer in England and the Princess was enceinte. Diana gave us 20+ years of no hose...around the world.

Before then and in Winter, Diana created a craze of pale whitish stockings and patterns. However, as she was raised to know better, she never ever wore nude tights which are still considered vulgar and worn by none in upper circles in any country...except Catherine...the daughter of a stewardess.

[alaskan]

04:49 AM on 02/12/2012

Thank you for reminding me why I love Alaskan women so much. Why does anyone notice or care about such trivial things as hosiery? What an enormous waste of energy.

[nharp1]

02:03 AM on 02/10/2012

What a perfect choice for an art exhibit opening. She really knows what she is doing. She always looks effortless and not overdone. Refreshing.

[KC375]

12:48 AM on 02/10/2012

her sister on the other hand, uh not so much!!!