Duchess with the pearl earring: Kate revisits her love of art during first solo engagement in The Hague

Gallery tour: The Duchess view world-famous paintings
Arthur Edwards/Pool/The Sun
Robert Jobson11 October 2016

Kate became the princess of arts today when she made her first solo foreign overseas trip.

History of Art graduate Catherine was in her element as she toured world famous art gallery the Mauritshuis.

She was enthralled as she surveyed old masters, including "Girl with a Pearl Earring" by 17th-century Dutch painter Johannes Vermeer.

Emilie Gordenker, Director of the gallery, said the duchess thought it "was a real treat."

"She did ask if it (the painting) and become more popular since the film and I said yes," said Emilie.

The Duchess of Cambridge first paid a courtesy call with The King of the Netherlands before heading for the Hague's world famous art gallery to look at priceless old masters.

Royal visit: Kate visted the gallery as part of her first solo trip 
Robin van Lonkhuijsen/EPA

When she met the Dutch monarch Catherine, wearing a Catherine Walker suit, curtseyed to King Willem-Alexander because he is a more senior rank than her.

They met at his private residence for 45 minutes at Villa Eikenhorst, the royal residence he shares with wife Queen Maxima and their three daughters, Princess Amalia, Princess Alexia and Princess Ariane.

Her overseas visit is being trumpeted as a move by the Government to use the royals to woo EU countries post Brexit.

Emilie added, "It was great fun. Easy going. There has been a lot of interest in the Netherlands ahead of this visit.

"She was really open and fun to talk to to. She was very interested in how the exhibition was displayed in contemporary with old pictures.

"She was quite keen on education and how many kids we get and how those lessons go.

Royal visit: Kate met with the Kig of the Netherlands earlier in the day 
Peter Dejong/AP

"She did talk about her history of art studies," she said.

Clearly Catherine, who studied History of Art at St Andrew's University immediately recognised one of the most famous paintings in the exhibition - Rembrandt's "The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Nicolaes Tulp" painted in 1632.

The highlight of the attractions for The Duchess, who is patron of the National Portrait Gallery, will be Vermeer's The Music Lesson.

Before leaving the Duchess will meet children taking part in the gallery's learning programme and attend a short reception with museum supporters.

Art teacher and guide, Madeleine Schriek, said the Duchess was interested in how the children were learning about self portraits.

"They really excited to meet and were disappointed that she has to leave so early."

The Duchess was in The Hague to see an exhibition featuring Dutch old masters loaned by the Royal Collection - artwork, furniture and other objects accumulated over centuries by the British monarchy.

Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visit The London Eye

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Significantly The duchess was accompanied by Sir Christopher Geidt, the Queen's Private Secretary, her most senior aide.

He joined then Duchess in the entourage on her visit to the art gallery in his capacity as a trustee of the Royal Collection Trust, that had leant paintings to the museum.

But the fact that he was there shows the Queen was lending her most experienced aide to Catherine on her first solo royal overseas tour.

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