© Photo: TwitterThe Duchess of Cambridge stepped out for a solo engagement on Tuesday night - attending the National Portrait Gallery's 2017 Portrait Gala. Kate, who was attending in her role as patron of the iconic London museum, looked stunning on her official night out.
She kicked off the event with a reception, where she viewed the newest exhibitions, followed by the gala dinner. Kate, 35, had the chance to mingle with a selection of guests, many of whom will have contributed to this important event. She was also introduced to Richard Found and Jane Suitor, fellow parents from Thomas's school in Battersea, where Prince George is due to start in September.
"We were chatting about Thomas's, the school George will be going to," said Mr Found afterwards, adding: "We're parents there as well. She just said 'I may see you at the school gates.'"
© Photo: Getty ImagesThe royal was dressed to impress, wearing a floor length dark green Temperley dress that featured delicate lace detailing.
© Photo: Getty ImagesKate paired her gown with a glitzy gold clutch, and wore her hair down in loose curls, with natural make-up to complete the look.
© Photo: Getty ImagesShe accessorised with a pair of special edition earrings by Kiki McDonough, that featured pink tourmaline, green amethyst and pave diamond earrings in 18ct yellow gold.
© Photo: Getty ImagesKate was greeted by National Portrait Gallery Director Nicholas Cullinan and warmly welcomed to the musem.
© Photo: Getty ImagesAmong the VIP guests was model Alexa Chung, who attended the lavish bash with her father Philip.
© Photo: Getty ImagesKate, who studied history of art at university, viewed two exhibitions: Howard Hodgkin: Absent Friends and Gillian Wearing and Claude Cahun: Behind the mask, another mask.
The mum-of-two took a closer look at some of the ten masks that were created especially for the evening by the likes of Dame Vivienne Westwood and Philip Treacy, to help raise funds for the museum.
© Photo: Getty ImagesArtist Gillian Wearing toured her around the exhibition, and explained the significance of the works featured.
© Photo: Getty ImagesThe 2017 Gala was fundraising for Coming Home, a project that will make it possible for portraits of iconic individuals to return to places that are special to them for a loan period of over three years. Coming Home will enable sitters such as Sir Walter Raleigh to return to Dorset, the Brontë sisters to Yorkshire and David Beckham to Essex.
© Photo: Getty ImagesThe Duchess posed alongside Chair of Trustees William Proby at the start of the event.
© Photo: Getty ImagesKate has visited the museum various times before. This was the second gala she has attended.
As in previous years, the funds raised directly supported the National Portrait Gallery's work in delivering inspirational exhibitions and displays, offering unique learning opportunities and undertaking world class research.
