Princess of Wales cuts a trendy figure in navy trouser suit as she visits buzzy V&A storehouse in east London

The Princess of Wales undertook her first public engagement of the month today as she highlighted the ‘joy’ of the creative arts.

Kate, 43, was at the new V&A East Storehouse – which opened to the public just two weeks ago – and gives unprecedented free public access to the museum’s world-famous collection of more than 600,000 treasures from every creative discipline including fashion, film, visual art, design and performance.

The princess cut a trendy figure as she opted to rewear a chic trouser suit by designer Alexander McQueen for the event, along with a white scoop-neck top. 

She accessorised with a pair of matching pumps, belt, and the Laura Lombardi chain necklace. Kate styled her new bronde hair in loose waves while keeping her makeup light and minimal yet dewy. 

After she arrived at the buzzy east London venue, she was given a behind-the-scenes tour and learnt about the work that goes into conserving and displaying some of the amazing objects stored, including the largest Picasso work in the world.

The gigantic cavas measuring 30m by 40m has spent most of the last 80 years rolled up in storage.

The princess’ last public engagement was a ship-naming ceremony in Glasgow on May 22, after which she enjoyed the half-term holiday with her children.

The entire Wales family will, however, be present at Saturday’s iconic Trooping the Colour in London, sources told the Mail.

Aides added that the ‘cadence’ of the princess’ public engagements is still as was announced earlier this year, involving a slow and measured return to public life following her cancer diagnosis last year.

Happily she announced in January that she is now officially in remission.

Created in partnership with young people and inspired by east London’s creative heritage, the new V&A East Storehouse – a world first – has been built to ensure the nation’s creative works are available to all.

Spanning four levels and bigger than 30 basketball courts, Storehouse is a new kind of museum experience giving visitors the chance to see behind the scenes of a working museum, explore why and how objects get collected by museums, find out how they are cared for, and uncover the stories they tell about us and our world.

Wherever possible, glass and barriers have been removed, and visitors will be able to get closer to objects than ever before.

The Collections Access team have all been recruited from the local area and the Princess got the chance to engage with a new ‘Order an Object’ service, where anyone can book a free appointment to view an object up close and have a one-on-one session with the a member of the team.

A Kensington Palace spokesman said: ‘Her Royal Highness’ engagement today is all about highlighting the importance of creative opportunity and celebrating the power of creativity to bring us joy.’

Her Royal Highness will spend time viewing some of the incredible objects stored, and learn from the access team how engaging with these works can provide creative inspiration for all. 

Kate is the patron of the Victoria & Albert Museum and has been at many events at the Kensington museum.

In 2023, she reopened tthe Young V&A museum in east London after it closed for three years.

The mother-of-three – who is the V&A’s first ever patron and a keen photographer – was then taken on a tour of the premises by children who were instrumental to the redesign.

During the tour, Kate stopped and spoke with students at the nearby Bethnal Green primary school and found herself in the centre of a group hug.

Last month, Kate officially named HMS Glasgow by smashing a bottle of local Scottish whisky against its hull. 

Keeping her look suitably nautical for the outing, the royal sported a navy and white £1,850 coat dress from British brand Suzannah London and a matching statement hat from Philip Treacy, first worn at Trooping the Colour in 2024.

As the couple departed, one wellwisher from the crowd couldn’t resist telling the princess, ‘you’re beautiful!’ 

And in an effort not to leave her husband out, they added: ‘You too, William!’, in footage recorded by local news outlet Clyde News.

Clearly amused by the surprise compliment, William, 42, quipped: ‘You don’t have to say that, don’t worry!’

The crowd then burst into laughter at his self-deprecating comment, as the couple bid goodbye after a busy afternoon.   

Earlier, stepping up onto a podium before a crowd of several hundred BAE employees, their families and the 45-strong ship’s company, Kate uttered the time-honoured words: ‘I have the pleasure to name this ship HMS Glasgow, may God bless her and all who sail on her’.

The Princess then flicked up a small red ‘launch’ button to release a bottle of exclusive single malt whisky made by the nearby Clydeside Distillery.

The ceremonial act is said to bring good luck and fortune to the vessel and its crew.

The distillery opened its doors in 2017, the same year that the HMS Glasgow build began, marking what is considered the start of two modern icons of Glasgow’s maritime heritage.

Each bottle of the whisky sold will include a donation to HMS Glasgow’s chosen charity, Place2Be, of which the Princess is patron, and which supports children’s mental health in the city.

The Princess was named sponsor of the 8,000-tonne warship, a state-of-the-art Type 26 anti-submarine frigate, in June 2021 and is said to hold ‘a real interest’ in the ship ‘and in the lives of those who will serve onboard’.

A year later, Kate met Royal Navy sailors from HMS Glasgow at Windsor Castle to hear about the ship’s progress and their experiences in the Royal Navy.