Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge, has carried out her first public solo engagement.<br/> <br />The Duchess, also known as Kate, visited London's National Portrait Gallery on Wednesday (February 8) for a special preview viewing of a new Lucian Freud exhibition.<br/> <br />Kate, who holds a degree in history of art from St. Andrews university, is also the gallery's patron.<br/> <br />She was walked around the exhibition by the gallery's director and viewed amongst others a controversial portrait of Queen Elizabeth.<br/> <br />Beforehand, the Director of the National Portrait Gallery talked about how the Duchess became one of their most famous patrons.<br/> <br />SOUNDBITE Sandy Nairne, Director of the National Portrait Gallery, saying (English):<br/> <br />"She [Duchess of Cambridge] came and visited with us late September, this was when she was exploring which organisations she might be patron of, and we had a whole day looking at all kinds of things, talking about things, seeing, coming to meetings. We didn't talk specifically about Lucian Freud, although I certainly mentioned the exhibition was coming up. So I will be fascinated this evening to know what she thinks of his work."<br/> <br />Freud, who died last year at the age of 88, painted the Queen with his characteristic naturalism and divided critics.<br/> <br />The Queen sat for the late artist between May 2000 and December 2001.<br/> <br />The Duchess of Cambridge will continue with her solo engagements on Valentine's Day when she will visit two of her chosen charities in Liverpool.<br/> <br />Her husband, Prince William is currently serving in the Royal Airforce in the Falkland Islands and won't be back in Britain until the middle of next month.<br/> <br />Mirja Mey, Reuters
