KATE, Duchess of Cambridge, was “incredibly professional” as she undertook a commission given her by Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall.
“She phoned me to discuss our requirements for the cover and subsequently composed a range of beautifully shot images.”
The mother-of-three took several snaps of Camilla in the gardens of Raymill, her private home in Wiltshire.
And she did such a good job she made it difficult for Ms Lester to pick just three photographs.
Kate was chosen by Camilla to take the photographs for a special issue of Country life (Image: GETTY)
Kate was reportedly ‘delighted’ to head to Camilla’s home for the photoshoot (Image: GETTY)
She said: “The Duchess of Cambridge took our cover images at the request of our Guest Editor, The Duchess of Cornwall, and we could not be happier with the results — in fact, the set of images she took was so good that we struggled to choose only three, from which The Duchess of Cornwall made her final selection.”
Royal editor Rebecca English reported the idea of asking Kate to be the photographer for the front cover came from Camilla herself.
Kate, she added, was “delighted” to head to Raymill for the photoshoot.
In the end, Camilla chose a portrait for the front cover which perfectly reflects her love for the countryside.
Camilla guest-edited the upcoming issue of Country Life (Image: COUNTRY LIFE/DUCHESS OF CAMBRIDGE)
Donning a baby blue dress with a white floral pattern and a matching cardigan, Camilla is also holding a basket filled with pelargoniums ready to be planted.
Another snap taken by Prince William’s wife will be featured on the leader page.
The relaxing shot shows the Duchess of Cornwall walking through forget-me-nots in her garden.
Kate with Charles and Camilla during a joint engagement in February (Image: GETTY)
Kate and Camilla waving during the Trooping the Colour carriage procession (Image: GETTY)
Ms Lester has been one of the Country Life’s staff to work closely with a small team from Clarence House over the past six months to put together a special issue of the magazine.
Camilla guest-edited the 244-page issue, to be released on July 13, marking not only her 75th birthday but also Country Life’s 125th anniversary.
The Duchess isn’t the first member of the Firm to take on the role of guest editor in recent years.
Kate assumed this role for a day at the Huffington Post UK in February 2016.
The Duke of Sussex interviewed an array of high-profile guests, including his father Prince Charles and former US President Barack Obama.
And in 2019 Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, famously guest-edited the September issue of Vogue, titled Forces For Change.
The Prince of Wales has taken the reins of the newsroom of Country Life on two occasions.
Camilla, Prince Charles and Princess Anne have all been guest editors of Country Life (Image: GETTY)
Charles returned to this role five years later to mark his milestone 70th birthday and produced what became the magazine’s biggest-selling issue to date.
Princess Anne also commemorated her 70th birthday by guest editing the pages of the magazine in the summer of 2020.
Source: EXPRESS CO UK
He first became a guest editor in 2013, to mark his 65th birthday.