Mario Testino: Kate Middleton Isn't Working for Me

Originally posted Tuesday February 12, 2008 08:00 AM EST

Contrary to press reports, aspiring photographer Kate Middleton isn't teaming up with Mario Testino.

In January, reports in respected British papers (including The Telegraph) claimed Prince William's girlfriend would begin working in Testino's New York studios in March.

"She's s not! She's not! I don't know where that came from," the photographer told PEOPLE Monday night at a Burberry/Vanity Fair exhibition at London's National Portrait Gallery, which included Testino's famous shots of Princess Diana. "I promise you, she's not."

Despite her run-ins with the paparazzi, Middleton has expressed a keen interested in photography. In November, after quitting her job as an accessories buyer at English fashion chain Jigsaw, the 26-year-old hosted a party to celebrate portrait photographer Alistair Morrison's book Time to Reflect.

Testino – who has also photographed Princes William and Harry several times – didn't completely rule out taking Middleton under his wing.

"Maybe one day," he said, laughing.