Today The Duchess of Cambridge visited the Victoria and Albert Museum to open the new exhibition, Road Quarter, an engineering feat that has taken six years to complete.

The Duchess had a tour of the new building before attending a reception to meet those who helped pull off the ambitious project. She also unveiled a commemorative plaque in Sackler Courtyard to officially mark the opening of the V&A Exhibition Road Quarter.

The £54.5 million project boasts a 1,100 square foot gallery buried deep underground. With a pressing need for more gallery space, the heavily built-up museum's only option was to go 18 meters below ground — a huge engineering challenge, not to mention the fact that they were dealing with a Grade 1 listed building.

Visitors are drawn down by natural light, lessening until reaching the bottom where an uplifting pool of daylight appears. The Sainsbury Gallery is a purpose-built space for its world-leading programme of temporary exhibitions. Following the neo-Gothic and neo-Classic museological tradition of ornate ceilings, the gallery rises 10 meters above the visitor.

Sitting above the gallery, the Sackler Courtyard is the world's first public porcelain courtyard, complete with 11,000 handmade porcelain tiles.

Then there is the Blavatnik Hall, a new entrance into the museum expected to welcome around half of the museum's 3.4 million annual visitors.

Stirling Prize-winning architect Amanda Levete explained, "The Exhibition Road Quarter is a reflection of the pioneering identity of the V&A and continues its mission of innovation into the twenty-first century."

The Duchess was looking very chic for today's visit to the Victoria and Albert Museum in a new dress by Gucci.

This is Kate's first item of clothing by Italian designer Gucci! She opted for the retro 'Grosgrain-Trimmed Tweed Mini Dress', which retails for £1,790/$2,980 and is described:

"First developed by Gucci in the 50s, the Web instantly became the hallmark of a cultured club. Here it is used to frame the edges of this knee length dress. The GG pearl buttons are a new signature element of the brand. Made in a light soft tweed."

The dress also comes in a red and black.

Kate's Closet seems to think that Kate's new red clutch is a bespoke Emmy London piece.

Kate was back in her old favourite pearl drop earrings again today. These ones are Annoushka pearls (£1,215) attached to Kiki McDonough 18ct gold and diamond hoops (£600).

Another old favourite made a return: the LK Bennett 'Art' navy pumps with a block heel that were first seen in 2011.