When Kate Middleton became the Duchess of Cambridge in 2011, there was a shift in her style, Vogue reports. More than 10 years on, she has become the new Princess of Wales, and apparently, she is “subtly but powerfully rebranding” herself through her clothes for the next role – Queen Consort. But one royal commentator believes Kate has followed a “very clever strategy” during her time as a member of the Royal Family and “styled herself older than she is”.
Royal commentator Tessa Dunlop appeared on Daily Mail’s chat show Palace Confidential a couple of years ago to discuss Kate’s style.
It was just after Kate stepped out wearing a bright red coat dress with a huge bow across the front for her first Together At Christmas, community carol service in 2021.
Tess said: “Kate’s look is really evergreen, where I think for about ten years, she styled herself as older than she is.
“So now she’s entered her fifth decade, and it’s like ‘wow, she is rocking that look.’ And it’s a very clever strategy: queens are old for a very long time, most of them.
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“Like the Queen Mother, in our head, she was always an old woman, like our [former] Queen, Queen Elizabeth.
“And Kate, rather than us thinking ‘Oh, the flower of her youth has diminished,’ it’s almost as if she’s growing into her look and her role.
“I think she’s pitched it perfectly, actually, to give her credit… You might say for years and years, she was lamb dressed as mutton; now, at last, mutton is where it’s at.”
Many royal fans disagreed with Tessa’s lamb and mutton analogy and took to the comments section to defend Kate’s style.
One replied: “Catherine is a beautiful woman who has impeccable taste and always dresses appropriately for any occasion. She is exactly what the public expects of royalty.”
“I admire Kate. It’s finding a balance between being youthful, classy and royal. And she nails it! Great taste, great style,” a second chimed.
A third wrote: “Princess Catherine has a style that is classically beautiful.”
More recently, Kate has moved away from coat dresses and is choosing suits, or blazers and trouser separates for public engagements instead.
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Zara is Kate’s high street go-to for tailoring and she makes the look “approachable” by wearing a t-shirt or thin knit jumper underneath.
When it comes to high-end designers, Kate’s perhaps most favoured label is Alexander McQueen who was responsible for the design of her wedding dress.
Several other designers have supplied her suits, including Burberry, which designed an emerald green ensemble worn for a meeting with the Crown Prince and Princess of Norway at Windsor Castle.
According to celebrity stylist and royal fashion expert, Miranda Holder said there is a bigger meaning behind Kate wearing suits or tailoring.
She explained how “Kate’s new fashion ‘uniform’ is far more corporate in feel, allowing her to fully immerse herself in the causes she supports”.
“Princess Kate means business and her looks most definitely re flect this mindset,” Miranda added.
When it comes to adding a “fashionable edge” this is done so with her “sky high heels” which are said to be most likely from her favourite shoe label, Gianvito Rossi, Newsweek published.
