Kate Middleton Makes a Solo Stop to Check Out Lucian Freud's London Exhibit

Kate Middleton, wearing a dress from the UK store Jesire, undertook a solo appearance this evening in London. With her husband, Prince William, away in the Falklands, she's now focusing on the institutions near to her heart. At the end of 2011, Kate announced her plans to become a royal patron of London's National Portrait Gallery. She has a long-standing interest in painting, having studied art history when an undergraduate at St. Andrew's in Scotland.

Today, she stepped out to check out the museum's new exhibit from recently deceased London painter Lucian Freud. It was Kate's first solo public appearance since marrying William back in April of 2011. There may soon be a more permanent royal feature at the National Portrait Gallery. It was announced today that Kate will pose for a portrait bound for the museum.