The first waxwork model of the Duchess of Cambridge underwent a last-minute makeover today — to reduce the prominence of a mole on her face.
Madame Tussauds applied extra touches of cosmetic paint moments before the exhibit made its public debut alongside an updated model of her husband Prince William.
Louis Wiltshire, who created the Kate likeness, ordered the changes after the Standard queried whether the mole, above Kate’s lips on the right side of her face, was too big.
“If you’ve noticed it, that means it’s not right,” he said. But he added: “It’s there, we have not made it up.”
The couple are shown on the day in November 2010 when they publicly announced their engagement, posing outside St James’s Palace.
Kate is wearing a blue Issa dress, while William is in a navy Gieves and Hawkes suit, with a replica Omega Seamaster watch on his wrist.
A copy of Kate’s sapphire and diamond engagement ring, which once belonged to Diana, Princess of Wales, is discreetly out of sight behind a black clutch bag in her left hand. Sculptors worked from photographs, TV footage and measurements provided by royal aides after William and Kate were unable to find time for a joint sitting.
Each model cost £150,000 and it took five weeks to sculpt Kate’s head, with each strand of her brown hair inserted by hand. The couple are expected to oust the Queen from first place on the list of famous people visitors want to be pictured alongside.
