Kate Middleton Curates Her Own Art Exhibit in London — and Princess Charlotte May Have Played Muse
Middleton has taken on a museum curatorial role, and it appears that Princess Charlotte might have inspired one of her picks.
Kate Middleton has never hidden her love for art and history; she studied art history at university, regularly champions creative industries, and often makes museum visits part of her public work. But now, she has taken that interest a step further. Instead of just appreciating art, the Princess of Wales is helping shape how others experience it. During a visit to the new V&A East Storehouse in June 2025, Middleton took on a curatorial role, and it appears that Princess Charlotte might have inspired one of her picks.
Titled 'Makers and Creators', the mini-exhibition is part of the museum’s rotating showcase and will be open to the public through early 2026. It’s a varied and thoughtful selection, bringing together ballet, literature, photography, and historic textiles, a reflection of Middleton’s personal interests and academic background, as reported by PEOPLE.
Among the pieces she selected is a costume from the Royal Ballet’s 1960 production of The Sleeping Beauty, designed by Oliver Messel and worn by Diana Vere in the role of the Fairy of the Woodland Glades. Beyond being a beautiful object, it might also be a quiet nod to her daughter, Charlotte, who loves ballet. As per HELLO!, Charlotte has inherited the passion from her grandmother, Princess Diana. Middleton had first revealed her daughter's passion in 2017, stating that she "absolutely loves [ballet]," and Prince William later confirmed this when he said, "Charlotte is running around the kitchen in her dresses and ballet stuff and everything."
The display also includes a watercolor of a forest glade by Beatrix Potter and a childhood photo album belonging to her father, Rupert Potter. Given Middleton’s fondness for the Lake District, where Potter spent much of her life, and the suggestion of a distant family connection, the inclusion feels personal. She also chose a Welsh hand-quilted bedcover from the 1830s, a small but fitting nod to her title as Princess of Wales, and a furnishing screen designed in the 1880s by J.H. Dearle of Morris & Co., known for their connection to the Arts and Crafts movement.
According to V&A director Tristram Hunt, textiles and historical materials seemed to catch Middleton's eye particularly. “She was interested and knowledgeable, particularly around textiles, around some of the woven silk material from William Morris, looking at some of the wallpapers,” Hunt told the outlet. But her curiosity didn’t stop there. He said Middleton also showed a strong interest in the photography section at the museum. “She was passionate... She was strangely knowledgeable about the camera types! She liked the idea of getting behind the scenes of the museum and understanding that.”
The V&A described 'Makers and Creators' as an exploration of how objects, when seen together, can tell stories about who we are and the societies we live in. “She has got both great passion and interest in material culture, so for her I think it was also a really enjoyable visit,” the V&A director added. “She had super energy. She was very energetic and focused. We last saw her about two years ago. She retains this great passion and interest in creativity and making, and design. It was wonderful to be able to host her.”
