NEED TO KNOW<\/p>\n
Kate Middleton<\/a> just added a new skill to her royal r\u00e9sum\u00e9: museum curator.\n<\/p>\n The Princess of Wales, 43, created her own selection of artifacts from one of her favorite places. Princess Kate \u2014 who studied art history at the University of St. Andrews, where she fell in love with\u00a0Prince William<\/a> \u2014 used some of her art expertise to pick out some objects following her visit<\/a> to the V&A East Storehouse in June. A “mini-display” called Makers and Creators is on view as part of the center\u2019s extensive free self-guided experience until early 2026.\n<\/p>\n Kate made her selection in conjunction with the museum’s curatorial team, picking objects from across the V&A\u2019s collections. Her choices make up one of more than 100 changing displays and attempt to capture how unique objects can come together to \u201ccreate a collective whole that helps us to explore our social and cultural experiences, and the role we play in the wider tapestry of life,\u201d the V&A says.\n<\/p>\n Princess Kate and Tristram Hunt, V&A Director on June 10, 2025.<\/p>\n Eddie Mulholland – WPA Pool\/Getty<\/p>\n A standout piece in Kate’s display is Oliver Messel\u2019s costume for the Fairy of the Woodland Glades worn by Diana Vere in The Royal Ballet\u2019s 1960 production of The Sleeping Beauty. It’s possible that Princess Kate and Prince William’s 10-year-old daughter, Princess Charlotte<\/a>, inspired the choice, as the young royal has a known love of dance<\/a>.\n<\/p>\n Kate and Charlotte have had mother-daughter outings to see\u00a0professional ballet performances<\/a>.\n<\/p>\n \u201cShe looked so excited to be there and sat very still, watching the show,\u201d an onlooker told PEOPLE in 2018 about the pair seeing The Nutcracker. \u201cThey were the only ones in the audience. It was very sweet.\u201d<\/p>\n Princess Kate’s mini display at the V&A East Storehouse, London.<\/p>\n David Parry<\/p>\n Among other items that Princess Kate has picked out for her mini display is a\u00a0watercolor of a forest glade\u00a0by the famous British children\u2019s author\u00a0Beatrix Potter. She also chose a\u00a0childhood photograph album\u00a0belonging to her father,\u00a0Rupert Potter. Beatrix Potter, who has been reported to be distantly related to the Princess of Wales<\/a>, spent much of her life in the Lake District, an area beloved<\/a> by Kate and her family too.\n<\/p>\n Perhaps fittingly, the Princess of Wales picked a\u00a0hand-quilted bedcover made in Wales around 1830-1840.\n<\/p>\n There was also a Morris & Co furnishing screen\u00a0designed by\u00a0William Morris\u2019s assistant J.H.Dearle\u00a0in the mid-1880s. That reflects something that director Tristram Hunt told PEOPLE after the visit on June 10. The Princess, who is the V&A Royal Patron, \u201cwas really interested and knowledgeable, particularly around textiles, around some of the woven silk material from William Morris, looking at some of the wallpapers.\u201d\n<\/p>\n The new facility provides visitors with a window on the national collection of objects from creative disciplines from fashion to theater and streetwear and sculpture.\n<\/p>\n When she visited, Kate was shown why certain objects are collected, and how they are stored, conserved and displayed. Through the V&A\u2019s innovative Order an Object service, anyone can book to access any object at V&A East Storehouse, for free \u2014 and Kate met some of the new collections access team, and viewed some of the objects, including some of those featured in the final display.<\/p>\n A close-up of the display with items chosen by Princess Kate for display at the V&A East Storehouse, London.<\/p>\n David Parry<\/p>\n That day, museum director Hunt told PEOPLE, “She\u2019s got both great passion and interest in material culture, so for her I think it was also a really enjoyable visit.\u201d\n<\/p>\n He added, \u201cShe had a super energy. She was very energetic and focused. We last saw her about two years ago,” he added. “She retains this great passion and interest in creativity and making and design. It was wonderful to be able to host her.\u201d\n<\/p>\n Hunt also explained how Kate seemed particularly interested <\/a>in the photography section. “She was really passionate,” he said. “She was strangely knowledgeable about the camera types! She really liked the idea of getting behind the scenes of the museum and understanding that.\u201d\n<\/p>\n Princess Kate enjoying the tour of the V&A East Storehouse in London with director Tristram Hunt.<\/p>\n Andrew Parsons \/ Kensington Palace<\/p>\n Can’t get enough of PEOPLE’s Royals coverage?\u00a0Sign up for our free Royals newsletter<\/a>\u00a0to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more!<\/strong>\n<\/p>\n