Catherine, now Princess of Wales, is better known as Kate Middleton, and is – since 2011 the wife of William of England. The Prince of Wales is – since his father King Charles III’s accession to the throne last September 8, 2022 – first in line to the British throne.
Let’s analyze in detail the evolution of the style of one of the most beloved figures of the 21st century.
The former Duchess of Cambridge was a style icon long before she married Prince William in that stunning Alexander McQueen wedding dress designed by Sarah Burton. In fact, Kate’s impact on British and American fashion and customs has been referred to in the media as the Kate Middleton effect.
Already in her early years at the University of St. Andrews Kate made a name for herself by walking the runway for a charity event in a very sheer black dress. Since that day, however, many things have changed; Middleton has had to become familiar with the art of dressing as royalty. So she has tried to learn all about complex sartorial codes, like when it is necessary to wear a hat. In more than a decade, the Princess of Wales has become one of the most photographed women in the world between royal visits, state engagements and red carpets.
The British royal frequently supports British fashion houses, including: Alexander McQueen, Stella McCartney, Victoria Beckham, Jenny Packham, and Catherine Walker. However, on some occasions she has also turned to international names such as Dolce & Gabbana, Rochas and Zara. Not surprisingly, we chose to go into detail, to take a look at how her style has evolved over the years in the spotlight. What has changed since 2011, when she wore that Victorian-inspired gown that left us all breathless?
One of Kate Middleton’s virtues is her being particularly careful to recycle her favorite garments in a way, so as to make their cost perhaps more reasonable. For a long time we have been reminded of her image associated with the red coat, precisely because on several occasions she has worn her trusty red coats from Catherine Walker, LK Bennett, Alexander McQueen, and Armani.
Her evening gowns have also often been re-worn, surely in the coming years sustainability will become an even closer cause to her heart, so Kate will continue to dredge up her favorite garments from the past.
TIMELINE OF THE STYLE EVOLUTION OF KATE MIDDLETON, THE BELOVED PRINCESS OF WALES AND FUTURE QUEEN CONSORT TO THE BRITISH THRONE
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STROUD, UNITED KINGDOM – AUGUST 06: (EMBARGOED FOR PUBLICATION IN UK NEWSPAPERS UNTIL 24 HOURS AFTER CREATE DATE AND TIME) Kate Middleton (seen wearing a dallah coffee pot charm necklace) attends the Festival of British Eventing at Gatcombe Park on August 6, 2005 in Stroud, England. (Photo by Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)
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Kate Middleton, girlfriend of Prince William, during their graduation ceremony at St Andrews, Thursday June 23, 2005. William got a 2:1 in geography after four years studying for his Master of Arts. (Photo by Anwar Hussein Collection/ROTA/WireImage)
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CIRENCESTER, UNITED KINGDON – JUNE 07: (EMBARGOED FOR PUBLICATION IN UK NEWSPAPERS UNTIL 48 HOURS AFTER CREATE DATE AND TIME) Kate Middleton watches HRH Prince William and HRH Prince Harry compete in The Dorchester Trophy polo match at Cirencester Park Polo Club on June 7, 2009 in Cirencester, England. (Photo by Indigo/Getty Images)
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LONDON – NOVEMBER 16: Prince William and Kate Middleton officially announce their engagement at St James’s Palace on November 16, 2010 in London, England. After much speculation, Clarence House today announced the engagement of Prince William to Kate Middleton. The couple will get married in either the Spring or Summer of next year and continue to live in North Wales while Prince William works as an air sea rescue pilot for the RAF. The couple became engaged during a recent holiday in Kenya having been together for eight years. (Photo by Samir Hussein/WireImage)
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LONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 29: Catherine Middleton arrives to attend the Royal Wedding of Prince William to Catherine Middleton at Westminster Abbey on April 29, 2011 in London, England. The marriage of the second in line to the British throne is to be led by the Archbishop of Canterbury and will be attended by 1900 guests, including foreign Royal family members and heads of state. Thousands of well-wishers from around the world have also flocked to London to witness the spectacle and pageantry of the Royal Wedding. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)
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WINDSOR, UNITED KINGDOM – APRIL 21: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge attends the National Review of Queen’s Scouts at Windsor Castle on April 21, 2013. (Photo by Olivia Harris – WPA Pool/Getty Images)
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PARIS, PARIS – MARCH 17: (NO UK SALES FOR 28 DAYS) Catherine,Duchess of Cambridge attends a reception at the British Embassy on March 17, 2017 in Paris, France. The Duke and Duchess are on a two day tour of France. (Photo by Pool/Samir Hussein/WireImage)
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WINDSOR, UNITED KINGDOM – MAY 19: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Princess Charlotte leave St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle after the wedding of Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex on May 19, 2018 in Windsor, England. (Photo by Andrew Matthews – WPA Pool/Getty Images)
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DERBY, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 06: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge visits students at the University of Derby to hear how the pandemic has impacted university life and what national measures have been put in place to support student mental health on October 6, 2020 in Derby, England. (Photo by Arthur Edwards – WPA Pool/Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND – JUNE 03: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge departing St. Paul’s Cathedral after the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee 2022 – National Service of Thanksgiving on June 03, 2022 in London, England. The Platinum Jubilee of Elizabeth II is being celebrated from June 2 to June 5, 2022, in the UK and Commonwealth to mark the 70th anniversary of the accession of Queen Elizabeth II on 6 February 1952. (Photo by Neil Mockford/GC Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 19: (L-R) Camilla, Queen Consort, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, Prince George of Wales, Catherine, Princess of Wales, Princess Charlotte of Wales and Sophie, Countess of Wessex during the State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster Abbey on September 19, 2022 in London, England. Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor was born in Bruton Street, Mayfair, London on 21 April 1926. She married Prince Philip in 1947 and ascended the throne of the United Kingdom and Commonwealth on 6 February 1952 after the death of her Father, King George VI. Queen Elizabeth II died at Balmoral Castle in Scotland on September 8, 2022, and is succeeded by her eldest son, King Charles III. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage)
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Britain’s Catherine, Princess of Wales attends a State Banquet at Buckingham Palace in London on November 22, 2022, at the start of the President’s of South Africa’s two-day state visit. – King Charles III hosted his first state visit as monarch on Tuesday, welcoming South Africa’s President to Buckingham Palace. (Photo by Chris Jackson / POOL / AFP) (Photo by CHRIS JACKSON/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)