video transcript

She's an official ambassador for Team GB, and as the Olympic Games draws nearer, Kate is showing she can handle the limelight without Prince William. The Duchess of Cambridge was at London's National Portrait Gallery to open a photo exhibition showcasing portraits of past and present athletes, for both the Olympics and Paralympics. It's just the start of her Summer duties, and today she showed not just her support for Team GB but for British design, wearing blue silk Stella McCartney - who is the designer of the official kit - and a necklace resembling the Olympic rings. The Duchess met Tanni Grey-Thompson, one of Britain's most successful Paralympic athletes. She won 16 medals during her sporting career and continues to be an ardent supporter with her involvement in the organisation of the 2012 Paralympics. SOUNDBITE Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, Former Paralympic Athlete, saying (English): "The legacy of the games, we won't see for a couple, maybe ten years, but ten years from now we'll look back and say that the London Olympics and Paralympics will be the best thing that's ever happened to this country." Among the photos on display are of sprint swimmer, Fran Halsall, the triple jumper, Yamile Aldama and the reigning single skull paralympic and World champion, Tom Aggar. There's also a photo of Kate herself, hanging in the exhibition. It was taken at a men's and women's Great Britain hockey training session at the Olympic Park in East London - by the photographer, Jillian Edelstein - seen talking to Kate here. But it's not just the athletes who are involved in this exhibition. Some of the torch bearers were at the Portrait Gallery posing by their photos. The Duchess made a good impression on hundred year old Diana Gould SOUNDBITE Centenerian Torch Carrier, Diana Gould, saying (English): "Oh, she's absolutely charming. She's so easy to talk to. She really is a lovely girl. He's a lucky man to have married her." There's just over a week to go before sports fans hit the UK's capital, and just the beginning of the opportunities for Kate to charm them too. Joanne Nicholson, Reuters