Kate Middleton praised artists for ‘showing us the magic of the natural wild’ as she announced Wildlife Photographer of the Year at the Natural History Museum during a virtual ceremony tonight.
The Duchess of Cambridge, 38, visited the London attraction this week ahead of the event in order to film her segment announcing that Russian photographer Sergey Gorshkov had scooped the prestigious prize with his image The Embrace, showing a Siberian tigress hugging a fir tree.
Kate, who is patron of the museum, oozed glamour during the appearance, opting for a £1240 chic black blazer with puff sleeves from Alexander McQueen and matching top and trousers.
As part of the announcement, The Duchess thanked the 49,000 people who entered from across the globe and said: ‘The skill and creativity of this year’s images provide a moving and fascinating insight into the beauty and vulnerability of life on our planet.
‘Thank you to all those who entered for showing us the magic of the natural world, and for reminding us that caring for our environment and its precious biodiversity has never been more important.’
Scroll down for video
Kate Middleton, 38, (pictured) praised artists for ‘showing us the magic of the natural wild’ as she announced Wildlife Photographer of the Year at the Natural History Museum during a virtual ceremony tonight
The Duchess of Cambridge (pictured) wowed in a chic black blazer during a visit to the Natural History Museum as she announced the winner of the Wildlife Photographer of the Year at a virtual award ceremony tonight
Russian photographer Sergey Gorshkov has scooped the prestigious prize with his image The Embrace, showing a Siberian tigress hugging a fir tree (pictured)
The video was filmed in the Museum’s iconic Hintze Hall ahead of the online awards ceremony which became available to watch at 8pm.
The mother-of-three appeared flawless at the event, wearing her soft brunette locks in a bouncy blow dry and adding a touch of glamour to her outfit with pearl drop earrings. She sported glamorous makeup with a pink lipstick and a dark smokey eye for the virtual awards ceremony.
Kate, a keen photographer herself, said during the online ceremony: ‘It is so wonderful to be back at the re-opened Natural History Museum where we can all enjoy its treasures once again.
‘I’m delighted to be announcing the Grand Title winner of the 56th Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition. As we have seen this evening, the competition attracts the very best in wildlife photography.
‘The skill and creativity of this year’s images provide a moving and fascinating insight into the beauty and vulnerability of life on our planet. So, it is with great pleasure that I can announce this year’s Wildlife Photographer of the Year is: Sergey Gorshkov, for his image ‘The Embrace’.
Kate, who is patron of the attraction, was effortlessly elegant during the appearance, opting for a chic black blazer with puff sleeves and matching top and trousers
The Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2020 finalists appeared on screen (seen above) while eagerly waiting for the Duchess of Cambridge to reveal the result
Kate revealed the winner of the prestigious award was Russian photographer Sergey Gorshkov (pictured) for his incredible image The Embrace, which took 11 months to capture with hidden cameras
‘Many congratulations to you Sergey, and thank you to all of those who entered for showing us the magic of the natural world, and for reminding us that caring for our environment and its precious biodiversity has never been more important.’
Gorshkov’s image took more than 11 months to capture with hidden cameras.
It was announced yesterday that the Duchess would reveal the winner of the prestigious awards, which took place virtually this year.
In a video shared to the Kensington Royal Instagram page yesterday, Kate said: ‘It’s so wonderful to be back at the re-opened Natural History Museum where we can all enjoy it’s treasures once again. I’m here because tomorrow night, I’m announcing the 56th Wildlife Photographer of the Year.’
This is the second time that The Duchess has joined the Natural History Museum in honouring photographers at the annual awards ceremony. In 2014 Kate awarded the Grand Title winners to celebrate the fiftieth year of the competition.
Now in its fifty-sixth instalment, the Natural History Museum’s Wildlife Photographer of the Year is the world’s longest running and most prestigious annual wildlife photography competition.
In a video shared to the Kensington Royal Instagram page yesterday, the Duchess appeared from the main hall at the Natural History Museum as she spoke of her excitement for the virtual photography awards
Harnessing the uniquely emotive and impactful power of photography, Wildlife Photographer of the Year works in partnership with the photographic community to inspire millions of people around the world each year to think differently about their relationship with nature and become advocates for the planet.
Selected from over 49,000 entries from around the world by a panel of international experts, this year’s winning images will be exhibited at the Natural History Museum on 16th October 2020 before touring across the UK and internationally.
It comes after the Natural History Museum, along with neighbouring Victoria & Albert Museum and Science Museum, reopened their doors in August.
South Kensington’s museum district – usually a tourist and school holiday hotspot in London – was closed for months during lockdown. The three institutions held a joint, virtual event to announce plans to open their doors again.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have welcomed the president and first lady of Ukraine to Buckingham Palace in their first audience since lockdown. The Cambridges did not shake hands but did stand up to greet the Ukrainian visitors, picture
The appearance comes amid a busy period for the royal, who last week joined husband Prince William, 38, to welcome the President and First Lady of Ukraine to Buckingham Palace in their first audience since the start of lockdown.
Kate looked elegant in a cornflower blue belted dress as she joined the Duke for the meeting with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his wife Olena in the opulent Throne Room.
The couples did not wear masks but observed social distancing and appeared in good spirits during the meeting, the first royal event to take place at Buckingham Palace since March.
The Duke and Duchess held the audience on behalf of the Queen, 94, who is staying at Windsor Castle and carrying out a limited number of engagements.