Kate Middleton graces Vogue front cover

The Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton has been named as Vogue‘s brand new cover star for its 100th anniversary.

She is not the only Royal to grace the front cover of Vogue. During her lifetime Diana, Princess of Wales was the ultimate cover girl. Now, 19 years after she last graced the front of the magazine, Dianna finally has a royal successor to take on her mantle.

For the first time Kate allowed a professional make-up artist, Sally Branka, to prepare her for the photographer. Branka persuaded the Duchess to do without her normal black eyeliner and heavy blusher, with strikingly beautiful results.

Photographed by Josh Olins, one of the world’s leading fashion photographers, in Norfolk and there are enough pictures for a 10-page shoot within the magazine.

Josh Olins said: “It’s a privilege to have been chosen to photograph HRH The Duchess of Cambridge for the Centenary issue of British Vogue … This was the Duchess’s first sitting for a magazine and she was a joy to work with, a natural. I am incredibly grateful to Alexandra Shulman for placing her faith in me for such an important and historic assignment.”

For the cover shot the Duchess wore a Burberry coat and hat, and a vintage hat from the London boutique Beyond Retro. In the picture of her leaning on the gate, she wears a Petit Bateau top and Burberry trousers.

Alexandra Shulman, Editor-in-Chief of British Vogue said: “To be able to publish a photographic shoot with HRH The Duchess of Cambridge has been one of my greatest ambitions for the magazine. 

“I’m delighted the Duchess agreed to work with us and the National Portrait Gallery, and as a result of this unique collaboration we have a true celebration of our centenary as well as a fitting tribute to a young woman whose interest in both photography and the countryside is well known.”

What do you think about the pictures? Are you a Kate Middleton fan? Let us know! @tweetjanes