Crowds turned out for the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton's visit to Kent today.

Dozens lined the streets as the expectant mum came to Margate to visit the Turner Contemporary in Margate and Resort Studios in Athelstan Road, Cliftonville.

Read our live coverage of the visit here.

The Duchess's trip to Thanet is expected to be one of her last public engagements before she gives birth to her second child which is due in April.

At the Turner, the Duchess visited the gallery’s Self: Image and Identity exhibition which features the last self-portrait by Sir Anthony Van Dyck.

This painting was recently bought for the nation by the National Portrait Gallery, of which she is patron, after a massive public appeal.

She met the artists whose works feature in the exhibition and was shown how the Turner engages with the community, met schoolchildren involved in an art project as well as a group of young women who have been working with artist Felicity Allen.

The Duchess also saw the Mr Lion 14 exhibition by Blank Canvas, the gallery’s inter-generational community group which meets weekly to work together and share ideas and experiences.

The high-profile visit comes as the gallery tries to reach a £1 million endowment target which will give it a more secure future.

If it gets there, it will unlock money from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and Arts Council England.

Gallery spokesman Monique Kent said : “All funds raised through the endowment will help us continue making world-class art accessible to everyone, expand the learning and outreach programmes and make an even greater impact on Margate and Kent’s future.

“Thanks to the remarkable support of donors and visitors we have raised more than £750,000 but with four weeks remaining, everyone’s support will be vital.

“Between now and March 31 all donations will be doubled and we hope people will give a gift today that will ensure the gallery’s tomorrow.”

After the Turner, the Duchess will head to Resort Studios where she will view an exhibition featuring photomontages of local personalities and meet artists to hear about their work in the community in Cliftonville.

Donate to the Turner here.

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