The Duchess of Cambridge is currently on maternity leave, preparing for the birth of her third child. However, Kate Middleton has still been busy hosting fashion summits at Buckingham Palace, among other things. Now, she has been appointed an exciting new cultural role. The Duchess will be the first royal patron of the Victoria & Albert Museum. The announcement was made by museum director Tristram Hunt in a statement obtained by Vogue. “We are delighted that Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cambridge has agreed to serve as Royal Patron of the museum”, he said.

Middleton has had a storied cultural interest, as the statement clarifies. “The Duchess' personal interest in photography, textiles and the visual arts [...] fits naturally with the collections and civic purpose of the V&A”. The Duchess has a degree in the history of art. She is also a patron of the National Portrait Gallery.