The Duchess of Cambridge and her baby bump looked serene in blue tonight at a reception for one of her chosen charities.

Kate took advantage of a warm summer night in London as she arrived in a sleeveless Emilia Wickstead dress in flattering duck egg blue and no coat.

Inside the National Portrait Gallery event, she spoke of the power of art to change people’s lives in a speech to celebrate the work of one of her charities.

Kate told an audience of 250 artists, schoolchildren and supporters of The Art Room, of which she is patron, that it felt “incredibly special” to be at the National Portrait Gallery in London tonight to celebrate the work of the charity.

The Art Room, which uses art to increase children’s self-confidence and independence, was marking its 11th anniversary and launching a new fundraising campaign at the event, attended by artists including Marc Quinn and Jenny Savile.

Kate, who was wearing dusky blue heels and had her hair half up, said: “I am a firm believer in the power of art to make a difference and The Art Room is doing that on a daily basis.

“We all stand here tonight to celebrate this wonderful work.

“I hope that you will join me in congratulating The Art Room and their supporters on these extraordinary achievements.

“As patron of The Art Room, I feel immense pride to see the amazing work that they are doing but I also feel hugely excited to look to a future with more Art Rooms, where many more challenging and vulnerable children will be helped.”

The Duchess is also patron of the National Portrait Gallery – and a portrait of her is currently on display at the venue.

Award-winning artist Paul Emsley created the large head and shoulders painting of the Duchess set against his trademark dark background.

Despite mixed reaction, Kate was delighted with the painting, saying: “It’s just amazing, I thought it was brilliant.”

Kate, an art history graduate, said: “I always love coming to the National Portrait Gallery so to be here tonight for an evening to celebrate The Art Room makes it feel incredibly special.

“When I have been fortunate enough to join Art Room sessions, I have been overwhelmed by the transformational impact they have.

“Vulnerable children flourish in the safe havens that the Art Room provide.”

The Duchess spoke to children who use the Art Room facilities in London and Oxford and accompanied some of them on a private tour of a Man Ray exhibition at the gallery.

At nearly seven months pregnant, the Duchess shows no signs of slowing down her workload.

Kate, who is due to give birth in mid-July, plans to continue royal duties throughout her pregnancy until mid-June.

Her schedule has been organised so she has several public engagements in a row then the chance to rest behind the scenes.

This week she is busy with a visit to a primary school on the Shameless estate in Manchester yesterday and a trip with William and Harry to the Warner Bros studios in Hertfordshire on Friday.

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