Princess Kate visited the brand new V&A East Storehouse earlier today to celebrate creative access and the joy that creative expression brings. Wearing a chic navy suit by Alexander McQueen, plain white T-shirt, and black pumps, the royal explored many of the museum’s exhibits.
The new museum, which opened to the public just two weeks ago at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in East London, gives unprecedented access to the V&A’s collections. Visitors are able to get closer than ever before to the over 600,000 objects stored, and see the behind-the-scenes work of the museum.
The Princess was given a behind-the-scenes tour of the new museum and learned about the work that goes into conserving and displaying some of the amazing objects stored, including the largest Picasso work in the world. The piece, produced on cloth, measures 10.4m by 11.7m and was designed by the artist to appear as the backdrop for Ballets Russes performance of Le Train Bleu in 1924.
Created in partnership with young people and inspired by east London’s creative heritage, V&A East Storehouse aims to make our nation’s creative works available to everyone, providing a source of creative inspiration and joy for all.
Kate spent time chatting with Storehouse’s new Collections Access team, who have been recruited from the local area, and learned about their work with local communities to unlock the stories held within the museum’s collections.
With the Access team, the Princess engaged with the new ‘Order an Object’ service, where anyone can book a free appointment to view an object up close, and have a one-on-one session with a member of the Access team.
Kate’s engagement today, her first since May 22, is to highlight the importance of creative opportunity and celebrate the power of creativity to bring us joy.
She continues to gradually return to royal duties after completing her cancer treatment at the end of last summer. In January, Kate revealed that she is now in remission.