However, that does not mean that the criticisms have stopped. The Glasgow-born painter Paul Emsley, who created the first official portrait of the Duchess, took several months using a technique of building thin layers of oil and glazes on canvas. The artist had two sittings with the duchess and also worked from a series of photographs he took. In the portrait, Kate wears a green top that doesn't actually exist. Apparently, Emsley "invented" it based on the different outfits the duchess wore to her portrait sittings. The earrings that she's wearing in the portrait are a private wedding gift. The portrait is now on display at London's National Portrait Gallery, which commissioned the work. The duchess is the gallery's patron.

Unfortunately, since the time of its’ unveiling, the painting has received all kinds of mixed reactions. Many have been quite harsh in their criticism, claiming that it doesn't do justice to Kate Middleton's beauty. She appears worn out and beyond her 31 years. But the Duchess herself called the artwork 'absolutely brilliant'. Prince William too, called the portrait “absolutely beautiful.”

However, many art critics and fans were not so kind in their criticisms. Harsh words such as “Lifeless,” “disappointing,” “ordinary,” “dull” and “old” are not words usually associated with Kate Middleton. In fact those are a few of the kinder words being associated with the painting. Emsley was also accused of giving her “hamster-ish” cheeks and a look as “soundless and smooth as an undertaker’s makeover”, while others described the portrait as “catastrophic” and “rotten”.

After weeks of receiving less than glowing reviews of his work, Emsley has finally spoken out publicly. Emsley said: “Some of the words written about it were so personal. I’d be inhuman if I said it didn’t affect me. When you take on commissions like this it is hazardous and you expect a bit of flak, but I expected nothing like the criticism I received”. The 65-year-old painter suggested that the reason for the harsh reaction could have been because the portrait doesn't photograph well, and he encouraged people to view it in person. The painter clearly maintains that he is not going to let the criticisms bother him and that he intends on moving away from it, adding that "Her words meant more to me than anything else said or written”.

The artist's other subjects have included the former President of South Africa, Nelson Mandela, and the author V S Naipaul.