The Princess of Wales has visited the newly-opened V&A East Storehouse in East London, where she was given a behind-the-scenes tour and spent time viewing the incredible objects stored there

The Princess of Wales made a surprise appearance at a brand new cultural attraction, where she was treated to a behind the scenes tour. Kate visited the brand new V&A East Storehouse in East London, where she wore a chic navy suit that exactly matched her host Tristram Hunt, director of the V&A’s, own suit in the same colour, to celebrate the joy found in creative expression.

The future Queen joined members of the public today for a two hour tour of the building. The three-storey attraction on Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, east London, has put more than half a million exhibits and archives from the V&A collections on show – which are usually hidden out of sight.

The Princess of Wales on a visit to the V&A East Storehouse in East London today (Image: Andrew Parsons / Kensington Palace)

Kate, who scored a degree in arts history at University of St Andrews, mingled with some of the first tourists and visitors after the storehouse opened its doors on May 31, and even asked for five exhibits to be brought out so she could study in more detail.

Her tour began behind the scenes where thousands of exhibits are being cared for before going on display she marvelled at a William Morris designed screen she said “wow ” and “love the twist here”.

Speaking to Tim Reeve, deputy director at the V&A, she said: “What a fantastic idea. What an opportunity for everyone to see these historic pieces in first person.” And added: “It’s so eclectic. And all parts of the process of displaying and curating.”

The V&A East Storehouse has more than half a million artefacts including 350,000 library books, 250,000 objects and thousands of letters, posters and flyers – including the Glastonbury Festival archives.

Kate was given a behind-the-scenes tour of the items stored there by V&A director Tristram Hunt(Image: Andrew Parsons / Kensington Palace)

It also contains some dresses which belonged to the late Queen Elizabeth II, Keith Moon’s drum kit, shoes designed by Zahra Hadid and a petal from the London 2012 opening ceremony cauldron.

Visitors can also see a section of the 1960s Robin Hood Gardens housing project, in Poplar, East London, which has now been demolished. In September it will open the David Bowie Centre after securing his estate’s archives including letters, instruments and costumes.

During her tour behind the scene Kate pulled on protective gloves to caress a 19th century riding habit and she said: “It’s so delicate.” Then as she was shown a 1970s photogram dress she said: “It’s really interesting as fashion designers are also using screen prints and photographs.”

Fashion fan Kate also immediately identified a black and gold coat dress was by British fashion designer Alexander McQueen. She said: “You see a certain shape and you know the designer.”

Kate visits the photography studio during a visit to the V&A East Storehouse(Image: PA)

The princess, who is patron of the V&A, also joined staff collecting new photos for the archive and online search portal. The team needed to photograph a 1943 ballet shoe worn by Alice Markova at a performance of Giselle at the Old Vic. The inside sole of the shoe had been signed by the ballerina who had also penned a message.

Watching how it was photographed for the collection, Kate said: “Gosh it’s so small and I like the fact you can see her handwriting.” Venturing into the public area, which was thronged by visitors unaware of the princess’s unannounced visit, she marvelled at the largest Picasso artwork in the world.

Joined by Mr Hunt, she marvelled at the 10.4m by 11.7m fabric which was backdrop for the 1924 Ballets Russes production of Le Train Bleu, and signed by Picasso. Mingling with the public in the vast Weston Collections Hall she looked impressed at the previously locked up artefacts out on show for visitors.

Kate stands on the see-through flooring (Image: PA)

Wearing stiletto heels Kate held onto the glass railing as she walked the metal grid floor. The V&A website recommends visitors wearing practical clothing and flat shoes saying the metal grid flooring is not suitable for stilettos or kitten heels.

The storehouse also allows visitors to book online to view up to five objects in a study room. The princess had her own private viewing time with five items which the press were allowed in.

But speaking afterwards Tim Reeve said the princess requested to see a musical instrument, some William Morris fabric samples and items relating to nature. Cristina Juan, Head of Philipine Studies at SOAS, was working in one of the rooms after ordering five textiles for research.

She told Kate: “It’s amazing as I’ve been waiting for three years.” Speaking afterwards she said: “I didn’t know she was coming. Now they’ve opened this and I can order online they take out of storage whatever you like. Now it’s as easy as ordering from Uber.”

Inside the V&A East Storehouse, which only opened at the end of last month (Image: Andrew Parsons / Kensington Palace)

The idea of opening up the storehouse to the public was dreamed up after the V&A learned in 2015 it had to move its archives from an old building. Speaking afterwards Tim Reeve hailed the “eclectic magic” of the collection.

He celebrated the V&A East Storehouse for “pulling back the curtain” on all of its collection. And speaking about their royal visitor he said: “There’s no doubt about it she is a great supporter of the arts.

“She has been really interested in this project and it’s clear she loves the idea of what we are trying to do here with back of house and to be a member of the public seeing behind the scenes. She really wanted to see it as the public saw it and didn’t want to impose.