Grayson Perry, Transvestite British Artist, Out-Frocks Kate Middleton

There is everything brilliant about Grayson Perry, the cross-dressing British artist who has built up a reputation as one of the UK’s best curators—and one of the most impassioned crusaders, and eloquent writers and speakers, for modern art. He is the only known man on record to curtsey when being presented with an honor by the Queen.

Perry – who received his CBE in last year’s birthday honor’s list – was once again interacting with royalty today dressed as his female alter-ego, Claire. Perry, who is married to the psychotherapist Philippa Perry, was on hand to help Kate today as she opened a special art therapy room at a West London school.

Kate wore a $600 Madderson London shift dress - but for once it wasn’t her clothes that were the center of attention.

Perry wore a typically dramatic, fantastic outfit – a short, sparkly black jacket of his own design paired with a giant silk neck tie. He wore sheer tights while Kate went for a tamer opaque.

“I thought it was appropriate for the occasion,” he told a reporter at the event of his clothing.

Last night, Perry gave a speech at another school, where he remarked of growing up wanting to wear women’s clothes: “For a 14-year-old boy your worst nightmare is walking down the street dressed as a woman, but that’s what a transvestite wants to do. So half of me was horrified. I knew enough to know it wasn’t something you brag about in the playground.”

Kate had been due to open the new West London school’s art studio on behalf of one of her key causes, art therapy charity The Art Room, last year, but it was one of the engagements that had to be bumped when severe pregnancy sickness struck. So today's ceremony was actually a 'naming' rather than an opening, but the kids didn't seem to mind.

The charity has attracted Kate’s attention for the enormous success it has had helping troubled kids express themselves through art. Both she and Perry are patrons of the charity.

During a round table discussion, in which Kate also took part, Perry said: “This is a normalised version of what I found out for myself, which is that an art practice is where you can go to soothe yourself.

“We shouldn't think it's just something for posh people. That's why I identify so much with the Art Room because I come from that sort of background, a working class background.”

The Daily Mail wondered who had the best legs between Perry and Kate. We wouldn’t like to say, but there’s no doubt who stole the show.

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Tom SykesEuropean Editor at Large

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