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Kate Middleton's style evolution
Our favourite looks from the Duchess of Cambridge
We examined how Kate Middleton has prepared for her future life as a princess. But it's not only protocol and ancient rules and rites that Kate has been brushing up on - she's also adapting to life in the fashion spotlight. Below, we track her most memorable style moments to date.
Do you think Kate is a style icon? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.
Pictures: Rex Features
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Childhood holiday, 1985
Even though she was only three and a half, Kate… More details
Childhood holiday, 1985
Even though she was only three and a half, Kate showed her style 'stripes' while on a family holiday in the Lake District as this photo - part of a set of private pictures released by the Middleton family after the announcement of the royal engagement - shows.
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Charity fashion show, 2002
Kate first hit the headlines in 2002 after taking… More details
Charity fashion show, 2002
Kate first hit the headlines in 2002 after taking to the catwalk for a charity fashion show at St Andrews University. Prince William was rumoured to have payed top dollar for a seat in the audience, and Kate's infamous sheer dress - designed by fellow student Charlotte Todd - is now said to be worth £100k.
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Blenheim Palace, 2004
Donning a tweed ensemble for a photo shoot at… More details
Blenheim Palace, 2004
Donning a tweed ensemble for a photo shoot at Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire in 2004, Kate looked every inch the lady of the manor.
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Kate’s hats, 2005
Kate is known as much for her love of hats as for… More details
Kate’s hats, 2005
Kate is known as much for her love of hats as for her knee high boots and Issa dresses. Here she’s wearing a cowboy hat at the Festival of British Eventing at Gatcombe Park, Gloucestershire. Was the heart shaped pendant a present from beau William?
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Causing a stir in fur, 2006
Sporting a large fur hat twinned with a tweed… More details
Causing a stir in fur, 2006
Sporting a large fur hat twinned with a tweed coat, Kate turned heads at the Cheltenham races - unfortunately the headwear turned out to be made of real mink.
Who will design Kate Middleton's wedding dress? We cast our bets here.
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Wedding style, 2006
For the wedding of Laura Parker Bowles to Harry… More details
Wedding style, 2006
For the wedding of Laura Parker Bowles to Harry Lopes at St Cyriac's Church, Lacock, Kate looks classic and elegant in her traditional wedding guest attire. The tailored brocade coat is set off with feathers in her hair.
Who will design Kate Middleton's wedding dress? We cast our bets here.
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William’s graduation, 2006
Kate wears a bright red coat with black hat for… More details
William’s graduation, 2006
Kate wears a bright red coat with black hat for her boyfriend’s graduation from Sandhurst. The vibrant red has become a signature look for Kate, although in later years she usually opts to enhance her silhouette with a black belt.
Who will design Kate Middleton's wedding dress? We cast our bets here.
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Cheltenham Festival, March …
For the Cheltenham Festival horse racing meeting… More details
Cheltenham Festival, March 2007
For the Cheltenham Festival horse racing meeting back in 2007 (shortly after ranking at number eight in '''Tatler's annual Best Dressed list), Kate returned again to trusty tweed, teaming a green jacket with a co-ordinating flared skirt and her favourite knee-high boots.
Who will design Kate Middleton's wedding dress? We cast our bets here.
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At the races, March 2007
At the races again. This time Kate has swapped… More details
At the races, March 2007
At the races again. This time Kate has swapped fur for beret and looks every bit the young Royal-in-waiting in her conservative blue tweed jacket accessorised with a paisley scarf.
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Single Kate, 2007
In April 2007 Kate and William separated for a… More details
Single Kate, 2007
In April 2007 Kate and William separated for a few months, stating that they needed ‘space’ from each other. They now credit the split with making their relationship even stronger. During her brief spell as a singleton Kate is spotted heading off for a weekend trip wearing one of her signature Issa dresses.
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Walking to work, Sep 2007
While working as an accessories buyer for Jigsaw… More details
Walking to work, Sep 2007
While working as an accessories buyer for Jigsaw in 2007, Kate was regularly photographed on her way to the office. On this particular summer's day she plumped for a stylish monochrome striped dress from high street label French Connection.
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Issa, August 2007
Kate is spotted heading off to the office in a… More details
Issa, August 2007
Kate is spotted heading off to the office in a trusty monochrome black and white Issa dress.
Who will design Kate Middleton's wedding dress? We cast our bets here
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Boujis, December 2007
Prompting talk of a reunion, Prince William and… More details
Boujis, December 2007
Prompting talk of a reunion, Prince William and Kate were seen leaving separately from the Royals’ favourite night club Boujis.
Looking refined in a black fitted velvet jacket and those favourite black knee boots again, Kate tends to wear her hair long and loose in a classic, natural style – see the "Stylist Hair 100'' for more inspiration.
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Roller girl, 2008
Making a break from the classic… More details
Roller girl, 2008
Making a break from the classic princess-in-waiting style, Kate dons bright socks, sequinned turquoise halter-neck top and yellow shorts and neon wrist bands for a charity Day-Glo Midnight Roller Disco which she co-organised in 2008.
Who will design Kate Middleton's wedding dress? We cast our bets here
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Sporty Kate, 2008
Kate hits the slopes of the starry ski resort… More details
Sporty Kate, 2008
Kate hits the slopes of the starry ski resort Klosters in Switzerland, playing it safe in classic black and white ski-wear.
Who will design Kate Middleton's wedding dress? We cast our bets here
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Cheltenham Horse racing, 2008
The Cheltenham Horse Racing Festival is an annual… More details
Cheltenham Horse racing, 2008
The Cheltenham Horse Racing Festival is an annual date on the Royal calendar. Here Kate sports a well-cut midnight blue mac with one of her signature black hats.
Who will design Kate Middleton's wedding dress? We cast our bets here
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The Boodles Boxing Ball, Ju…
Back in 2008, Kate was pictured at The Boodles… More details
The Boodles Boxing Ball, Jun 2008
Back in 2008, Kate was pictured at The Boodles Boxing Ball wearing a dress similar to the one she would later wear to announce her engagement to Prince William, with ruched detail at the midriff. The coral floor length dress marked the start of her devotion to designer Issa.
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Nights Out, 2008
Kate is seen out and about in the London club… More details
Nights Out, 2008
Kate is seen out and about in the London club scene with her sister Pippa Middleton and Prince William. The young Royal party hit their favourite Chelsea bars rounding up the night with a few drinks in Whiskey Mist. The cowl neck blue dress worn with her signature black boots.
Who will design Kate Middleton's wedding dress? We cast our bets here
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Knee high boots, May 2009
Kate is snapped at the Polo in Ascot, where she… More details
Knee high boots, May 2009
Kate is snapped at the Polo in Ascot, where she was supporting Prince William while he played a polo match. Never one to pick slouchy or baggy denim, Kate plumps for smart, fitted jeans teamed with her trademark knee-high boots.
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London wedding, Aug 2009
For the wedding of friends Nicholas van Cutsem… More details
London wedding, Aug 2009
For the wedding of friends Nicholas van Cutsem and Alice Hadden-Paton at The Guards Chapel in London, Kate looked resplendent in a blue brocade coat and off-white dress. She teamed the stylish outfit with navy heels, a yellow topaz cocktail ring and white hat.
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Gloucestershire wedding, Oc…
Kate was pictured in another striking yet regal… More details
Gloucestershire wedding, Oct 2010
Kate was pictured in another striking yet regal Issa dress while attending the wedding of Harry Meade and Rosemarie Bradford at the end of last year.
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The engagement photocall, N…
Kate turned again to her much-loved Issa for the… More details
The engagement photocall, Nov 2010
Kate turned again to her much-loved Issa for the dress she wore to announce the royal engagement - which would go on to sell out within hours of the photcall.
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Visit to St Andrews, Feb 2011
By the time Kate and Wills returned to their alma… More details
Visit to St Andrews, Feb 2011
By the time Kate and Wills returned to their alma mater St Andrews University earlier this year, there wasn't a see-through dress in sight for the future princess. Instead, Kate opted for a smart red skirt suit by Italian designer Luisa Spagnoli, and teamed the picture perfect look with black accessories and her signature black boots.
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Burberry, March 2011
After the announcement of her engagement Kate and… More details
Burberry, March 2011
After the announcement of her engagement Kate and William made a Royal visit to Belfast, Northern Ireland. Looking smart and chic, Kate supports British fashion in her Burberry mac.
Who will design Kate Middleton's wedding dress? We cast our bets here
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Future princess, April 2011
The future princess picks a classic fitted navy… More details
Future princess, April 2011
The future princess picks a classic fitted navy pencil suit and heels at one of her final public appearances at Whitton Park, Darwen with Prince William before their wedding.
Who will design Kate Middleton's wedding dress? We cast our bets here
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Royal Wedding, April 2011
And here she is at long last in the dress we… More details
Royal Wedding, April 2011
And here she is at long last in the dress we waited months to see. Kate Middleton's exquisite wedding dress was designed by Alexander McQueen's Sarah Burton, who managed to keep her very special commission top secret until the moment Kate - now Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, emerged from her hotel on her father's arm.
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ARK Gala, June 2011
Kate made one of her first public appearances… More details
ARK Gala, June 2011
Kate made one of her first public appearances after the Royal wedding at the ARK charity gala in London in June 2011. The new Duchess of Cambridge wore a pale rose Jenny Packham gown that was covered in Swarovski crystals and sequins.
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Official function, June 2011
For a formal engagement alongside her husband in… More details
Official function, June 2011
For a formal engagement alongside her husband in June 2011, the Duchess of Cambridge opted for a neat tailored coat and skirt with a military flavour courtesy of its shiny gold buttons and shoulder epaulettes.
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Royal tour of Canada, July …
On their first overseas tour as a married couple,… More details
Royal tour of Canada, July 2011
On their first overseas tour as a married couple, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visited Canada where they received a warm welcome. Kate stuck to one of her favourite designers, Alexander McQueen, choosing this knitted sailor dress for a tour of Prince Edward Island.
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Royal tour of Canada, July …
The pretty, primrose yellow Jenny Packham… More details
Royal tour of Canada, July 2011
The pretty, primrose yellow Jenny Packham teadress that Kate wore on the Royal couple's tour of Canada was a chic, ladylike choice. She accessorized with her trusty nude LK Bennett pumps which have become a signature part of the Duchess' look.
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Royal tour of Canada, July …
The Duchess of Cambridge has the envious knack of… More details
Royal tour of Canada, July 2011
The Duchess of Cambridge has the envious knack of looking good in all colours, including jewel shades like the rich purple of the Issa dress she wore to a concert in Ottawa on the Royal couple's Canadian tour. And if you got to borrow jewels like this glittering diamond maple leaf brooch from your grandmother-in-law, the Queen, wouldn't y0u look like the Kate that got the cream?
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Royal tour of Canada, July …
Since her marriage, Catherine, Duchess of… More details
Royal tour of Canada, July 2011
Since her marriage, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge has already started to prove that she understands the importance of her wardrobe in making a positive impression. On the Royal couple's Canadian tour in July, she opted for a Catherine Walker coat dress in a shade of red that exactly matched the host country's flag and accessorised it with the Queen's diamond maple leaf brooch. Now that's power dressing.
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Cowgirl Kate, July 2011
Proving she does casual, preppy style as… More details
Cowgirl Kate, July 2011
Proving she does casual, preppy style as effortlessly as formal dressing, Kate kept her cool at the Calgary Stampede in July in Temperley London's 'Rodeo' shirt which she wore with classic blue jeans and topped off with a pure white cowboy hat.
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Bafta gala, Hollywood, July…
It takes a serious amount of star power to… More details
Bafta gala, Hollywood, July 2011
It takes a serious amount of star power to outshine Hollywood's A-listers, but that's exactly what Kate (with a dapper Prince William on her arm) managed when she stepped onto the red carpet for a BAFTA gala in Los Angeles in July. An Alexander McQueen gown, Jimmy Choo heels and some diamond earrings on loan from the Queen made the Duchess a fine ambassador for British fashion.
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A very Royal boat party, Ju…
For a party aboard the Royal Yacht Britannia… More details
A very Royal boat party, July 2011
For a party aboard the Royal Yacht Britannia before the wedding of Zara Phillips and Mike Tindall in Edinburgh, Scotland in August, Kate rocked a simple apple green silk Diane von Furstenberg dress, chandelier earrings and a huge smile.
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Zara Phillip's wedding, Jul…
The Duchess of Cambridge has proved herself to be… More details
Zara Phillip's wedding, July 2011
The Duchess of Cambridge has proved herself to be a bit of a pro at wearing challenging hats and fascinators this year and the satellite-dish-style number she picked for Zara Phillips' wedding to Mike Tindall in July was a spectacular example. The wardrobe-savvy Kate also picked an embroidered coat she'd previously worn to a wedding in 2006.
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Birmingham visit, Aug 2011
On a visit to Birmingham to meet with local… More details
Birmingham visit, Aug 2011
On a visit to Birmingham to meet with local residents affected by the riots August, Kate wore another Alexander McQueen ensemble, this time a military-style top and pencil skirt with brass buttons and epaulettes.
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Sandringham, Dec 2011
Christmas with the in-laws at Sandringham and… More details
Sandringham, Dec 2011
Christmas with the in-laws at Sandringham and Kate showed she understands the dress code perfectly in her jeans, wellies and country-casual hat.
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Sun Military Awards, Dec 2011
It was only fitting that Kate should choose to… More details
Sun Military Awards, Dec 2011
It was only fitting that Kate should choose to end her amazing year in another showstopping Alexander McQueen gown. At the Sun Military Awards she wore a strapless black velvet dress with a fishtail skirt and looked, quite simply, gorgeous.
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Centrepoint visit, Dec 2011
In December the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge… More details
Centrepoint visit, Dec 2011
In December the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visited the homeless charity Centrepoint in London. Kate wore a Ralph Lauren sweater dress with her favourite knee high suede boots.
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Christmas Day, Sandringham,…
What on earth would you wear if you were spending… More details
Christmas Day, Sandringham, Dec 2011
What on earth would you wear if you were spending Christmas Day with your in-laws and they just happened to be the Royal family? Clever Kate went for an aubergine coat and a stunning plum-coloured trilby with ruffles made by Jane Corbett.
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