British royal Kate appears on Vogue cover for first time

One of the most photographed women in the world has never actually posed for a magazine — until now.

The Duchess of Cambridge will be on the June cover of the British edition of Vogue, marking not only the publication's centenary but also the first time Kate has sat for a fashion magazine.

"It's a huge honour and incredibly exciting for us," British Vogue's editor-in-chief Alexandra Shulman said in a statement Saturday. "I am hugely grateful that we have been able to continue with our tradition of outstanding royal portraiture with these pictures."

The 10-page photo spread, which was shot in January by fashion photographer Josh Olins, captures a casual Kate in the Norfolk countryside, where she spends much of her time with husband Will and children Prince George, 2, and Princess Charlotte, turning one this week.

"She was a joy to work with, a natural," said Olins, who's seen as a rising star in the industry.

The duchess follows in the footsteps of her husband's late mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, who posed for the magazine several times.

Kate's wardrobe is the envy of people around the world and the designers she wears often find themselves sold out of pieces as soon as she's spotted in public. Vogue said she had a hand in choosing clothing for the shoot, which included pieces from the British label Burberry and the French line Petit Bateau. 

Two photos will also be part of the Vogue 100 installation at London's National Portrait Gallery, running until May 22. Kate, a patron of the gallery, will see the portraits for herself on May 4.

"Josh has captured the duchess exactly as she is — full of life, with a great sense of humour, thoughtful and intelligent, and in fact, very beautiful," said the gallery's director, Nicholas Cullinan. "We had fun in making and choosing these images and I hope that comes across."