Duchess of Cambridge shares her photography passion with first ever curated exhibition inspired by George and Charlotte

The Duchess of Cambridge's passion for photography is one of the royal's best known hobbies.

She's already patron of the National Portrait Gallery, and regularly takes adorable, official pictures of her two children, George and Charlotte.

But it looks as though the Duchess has now stepped up her photography career, by curating an exhibit for the gallery for the first time ever.

On 28th February, Catherine made an official visit to the National Portrait Gallery in London, arriving in the blizzard of snow.

She was there to officially visit the exhibit that she had herself curated, entitled, 'Victorian Giants: The Birth Of Art Photography.'

For the exhibition, the Duchess herself had chosen key Victorian photographs for the 'Patron's Trail' part of the gallery. Catherine added her personal touch to her chosen photos, by adding a caption to each one too.

Catherine also penned a foreword for the gallery exhibition, sharing that her passion for the subject of Victorian photography was ignited during her time studying History of Art at St Andrews - where she met her future husband, Prince William

She wrote, 'This period in the history of photography has long interested me. As a student at the University of St. Andrews, I chose it as the subject of my undergraduate thesis and photographs of children particular, which feature predominately within the exhibition, are of real interest to me.'

She also nodded to the influence of her beloved children Prince George and Princess Charlotte, who she regularly photographs.

'These photographs allow us to reflect on the importance of preserving and appreciating childhood while it lasts.

'Children held a special place in the Victorian imagination and were celebrated for their seemingly boundless potential. This notion still rings true for us today and it underpins much of my official work and the charities I have chosen to support, and, indeed, my role as a mother of a young family.'

It's likely then that Catherine's curated images of Victorian children are a sweet tribute to her own family then too.

For the glamorous event, Catherine paid no mind to the freezing conditions, choosing a stunning floral Orla Kiely dress for the evening.

She paired the dress with some elegant nude Jimmy Choo shoes, and earrings from her favourite jeweller Kiki McDonough.