The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge viewed the first official joint portrait of themselves on a visit to Cambridge's Fitzwilliam Museum.

The painting, commissioned last year as a gift for the people of Cambridgeshire, shows the pair standing side-by-side, with Kate in an elegant emerald dress and William in a black suit.

It is to go on public display in the university city.

The portrait was painted by award-winning artist Jamie Coreth, who is described on his website as "one of Britain's leading portrait artists" who "focuses on the character of his sitters, evoking a sense of their presence in his work".

Ely Standard: The Duchess of Cambridge leaves with the Duke of Cambridge after a visit to the Fitzwilliam Museum, CambridgeThe Duchess of Cambridge leaves with the Duke of Cambridge after a visit to the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge (Image: PA Wire/PA Images)

The duke and duchess, both 40, met Coreth as they viewed the painting of themselves on Thursday.

William said, after looking at the painting: "It's quite big."

Ely Standard: A new portrait of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge painted by Jamie Coreth, which has gone on display at the University of Cambridge's Fitzwilliam Museum.A new portrait of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge painted by Jamie Coreth, which has gone on display at the University of Cambridge's Fitzwilliam Museum. (Image: PA Media)

He told Coreth it was "amazing".

The duke and duchess both studied history of art at St Andrews University, though William later switched to geography.

William said in a Big Issue Q&A session published this week to mark his 40th birthday: "I studied a bit of art history at university.

"Had to give it up.

"I kept falling asleep in the lectures. Terrible.

"We did a lot of Renaissance, which was amazing.

"But then once we got into modern art, I started to get a bit dozy."

Ely Standard: The Duchess of Cambridge waves to local school children as she leaves with the Duke of Cambridge after a visit to the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge.The Duchess of Cambridge waves to local school children as she leaves with the Duke of Cambridge after a visit to the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge. (Image: PA Wire/PA Images)

Coreth said it was the "most extraordinary privilege of my life to be chosen to paint this picture".

"I wanted to show Their Royal Highnesses in a manner where they appeared both relaxed and approachable, as well as elegant and dignified," he said.

Ely Standard: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge during a visit to the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, to view a painted portrait of themselves by Jamie Coreth (right) as it is revealed to the public for the first time.The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge during a visit to the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, to view a painted portrait of themselves by Jamie Coreth (right) as it is revealed to the public for the first time. (Image: PA Wire/PA Images)

Members of the public will be able to view the portrait at the Fitzwilliam Museum for an initial period of three years, after which the artwork will be exhibited in other community spaces and galleries around Cambridgeshire.

The painting will also be loaned to the National Portrait Gallery for a short time in 2023 to mark the gallery's reopening.

Ely Standard: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge meet local school children after a visit to the Fitzwilliam Museum, CambridgeThe Duke and Duchess of Cambridge meet local school children after a visit to the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge (Image: PA Wire/PA Images)

Luke Syson, director of The Fitzwilliam Museum, said: "It's incredibly exciting to be the first to be able to show the only double portrait of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge so far to have been painted, and commemorating of course their connection with Cambridge through their titles.

"It's a great moment for the Fitzwilliam."