While the rest of us have to rely on boring manuals to learn how to even switch on
a camera, when you’re the girlfriend of the future king you're able to call
upon a little more expert help.
Kate Middleton’s reportedly enjoyed a session in New York with Diana, Princess of Wales’ favourite
photographer.
Sadly for all those desperate for a royal wedding, though, the meeting
between the former university student and Mario Testino had nothing
to do with his desire to take the official engagement portraits of William and Kate.
Kate is reportedly set to return to Testino’s New York studios in March, having
previously met the fashion photographer during an initial trip to America last
November.
The link-up between Kate and Testino, who took what are possibly the most
iconic images of Diana in early 1997, came about after Prince William sounded
out the photographer when he visited London for the 10th anniversary
memorial service for his mother last August.
At the time, Kate was still working as a buyer at the London fashion house
Jigsaw. However, plans were apparently already afoot for the 25-year-old to
follow her private passion for photography.
According to an unnamed source, Kate’s interest in working with Testino suits
her royal boyfriend, an unnamed insider saying: "Now Kate’s focused on
something it will be far easier for William to concentrate on the job in hand.
He is determined to throw himself into his military and royal duties this year
but is aware that this will take him away for months at a time."
It
was in 2006 that Testino voiced an interest in taking the official
portrait of William and Kate for what many continue now believe will be
a royal engagement and wedding in 2009, following William's attachments
with the RAF and the Royal Navy.
The Peruvian-born photographer who works with the
world's top models, including Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell, was already
won over by the princes' girlfriends, saying: "I've met both Kate
and Chelsy Davy, Prince Harry's girlfriend. They came to see my recent
[Diana] exhibition at Kensington Palace."
"They were both nice girls but Kate is so lovely and she has the making of a future queen."
