Kate praises 'amazing' and 'brilliant' official portrait

The first official portrait of the Duchess of Cambridge has been unveiled today.

Kate said award-winning artist Paul Emsley's painting was "brilliant, amazing, absolutely brilliant", as she and the Duke of Cambridge had a private viewing of the picture at the National Portrait Gallery.

ITV News' Royal Editor Tim Ewart reports:

The portrait, which will go on public display this afternoon, is said to depict Kate's natural, not official, persona.

She had two sittings for the painting, one in the artist's studio and the other at Kensington Palace.

At the unveiling she was wearing a Whistles burgundy dress and told Emsley's daughter she "had such a fun time at the studio."

William also had high praise for the painting, saying: "It's beautiful, it's absolutely beautiful."

The royal couple spent 10 minutes looking at the painting before attending a private breakfast reception at the London gallery to mark the unveiling.

Among the guests were Kate's parents Carole and Michael Middleton and her brother and sister Pippa and James.