Kate in Ralph Lauren for V&A Fabergé Exhibition Viewing

The Duchess of Cambridge kicked off her December engagements with a visit to her patronage, the Victoria & Albert Museum, to view the Fabergé exhibition.

The Duchess wore a face mask throughout the visit, in line with new rules to combat the potential spread of a new variant of COVID-19. In England, face coverings must be worn in shops, shopping centres, and on public transport. In indoor settings -- though it is not a legal requirement -- it is advised to wear a covering in crowded and enclosed spaces where one is spending time with people they would not normally meet. I've also noticed this is Kate's second consecutive engagement whereby a 'pool' system is in place regarding photos; just one photographer takes the images and they are shared afterwards. This was common practice last year, and we'll know in the coming weeks if it will remain in place. Unfortunately, it does mean a very limited selection of photos, however it is so important to err on the side of caution and follow the safety measures during this period of uncertainty.

The Duchess became the first Royal Patron of the V&A in 2018, and last visited in May. Today's visit was a wonderful opportunity to view the fascinating 'Fabergé in London: Romance to Revolution' exhibition, which officially opened a fortnight ago. Celebrating the life and work of Carl Fabergé, it features over 200 objects of historical and artistical significance. The pieces symbolise Russian craftsmanship at its finest.

Kensington Palace said, "During the visit, Her Royal Highness will hear more about Fabergé’s work and the relatively unknown Anglo-Russian nature of his enterprise, with his only branch outside of Russia opening in London in 1903. The exhibition features the largest display of his legendary Imperial Easter Eggs in a generation, several of which are being shown in the UK for the first time."

The exhibition includes three pieces loaned by the Queen, including the Colonnade Egg, Basket of Flowers Egg, and the Mosaic Egg.

The Palace added, "Items include the long lost Third Imperial Egg, discovered by a scrap dealer in 2011 after it went missing in 1964, the largest Imperial Egg -- the Moscow Kremlin Egg -- inspired by the architecture of the Dormition Cathedral in Moscow and featuring a music box that plays Tsar Nicholas II’s favourite hymn, and the Alexander Palace Egg, which contains a model of the palace inside."

The Duchess was "fascinated by the whole subject" according to curator Kieran McCarthy.

Hello! reports:

'The royal mother-of-three, who is known to be a keen photographer, showed her clear eye for detail, he added.

"That came through over and over again, just 'How did they do that? Why does that look like that?'

"There was a lot of why and wherefore in the discussion, which was very interesting because it takes a sophistication to look beyond seeing the spectacle to actually probe into the details, and that was there."

The Peacock Egg was presented by Emperor Nicholas II to Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna during Easter 1908, made by chief workmaster Henrik Wigstrom for Fabergé.

Another item from the Royal Collection -- a cigarette case made by Fabergé in 1908.

Fabergé's premises in 1911 at 173 New Bond Street.

The exhibition is filled with royal connections. A fascinating read on the Sandringham Commission:

'Fabergé's most celebrated undertaking in Britain was the Sandringham Commission of 1907, when the firm modelled the menagerie of animals kept by King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra at their Sandringham estate in Norfolk. The firm produced wax models of the animals which were sent to Russia where they were carved in hardstone and mounted with gold and precious stones. The finished animals were then returned to London and sold to the King and Queen and members of their circle.'

Persimmon, statuette of King Edward VII's racehorse, by Fabergé, 1908.

Click here to discover the exhibition.

The Duchess wore Ralph Lauren's Georgette Tie-Neck Shirt for the engagement.

The £139 piece is described: "This airy georgette shirt is defined by its feminine tie at the neck and delicate shirring. The lightweight fabrication is enhanced by the season's paisley motif in a rich navy palette." It's currently available in sizes XS-XL on Ralph Lauren's website.

The Duchess wore navy trousers and I believe a pair of navy heels (possibly her Emmy London Josie pumps). Very unusually, we didn't see high-res full length photos, and unless the museum releases one it's difficult to be definitive on the pieces.

Kate accessorised with a pair of gold hoop earrings.

Pop back tomorrow evening if you can. We'll be chatting about Kate's upcoming Christmas concert and other festive matters :)