Kate is a fashion icon (Picture: Getty)
Kate Middleton, The Duchess of Cambridge, turns 40 today and we thought it apt to celebrate her sense of style.
From her engagement to Prince William to her wedding dress to her red carpet appearances, her looks hit fashion news all over the world.
A champion of British design, she favours creators such as Alexander McQueen, Jenny Packham, Erdem and more. Meanwhile, she also dips into the high street world and is a keen advocate for longevity and rewearing pieces.
Kate knows what works for both her role and her style. Belted coat dresses, streamlined silhouettes and midi styles are key points of reference.
However, when the time comes, she likes to make a statement and have fun with her sartorial choices too.
So the celebrate her birthday and royal style prowess, here are 21 of her best fashion moments.
The beginning of royal life (Picture: Samir Hussein/WireImage)
As she entered official royal life for the first time, Kate stunned in a navy wrap dress by Issa London for the announcement of the royal engagement on November 16, 2010. The dress quickly sold out following its debut.
It was a fashion moment (Picture: WireImage)
A true fashion moment, Kate’s wedding dress is one most of us will always remember. Designed by English designer Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, it featured a V-neckline, long sleeves, a fitted Victorian bodice, padding on the hips and beautiful lace. In the aftermath, a wave of wedding dresses were designed in its vision.
A vision in lilac (Picture: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Once again in Alexander McQueen, the Duchess of Cambridge wore this ethereal lilac gown to the BAFTA Brits at the Belasco Theatre in Los Angeles, California in 2011. This was a sign she was quickly mastering her red carpet looks.
Pregnancy fashion done right (Picture: Samir Hussein/WireImage)
During the Duke and Duchess of Cambridges’ first Royal tour of Sweden and Norway, Kate pulled some stunning looks out of the bag. Pregnant with Prince Louis at the time, she showed pregnancy fashion doesn’t need to be restrictive. Wearing a chic houndstooth coat by Catherine Walker and carrying a quilted burgundy Chanel bag, she was the epitome of chic.
A move to glitz and glam (Picture: Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)
Throughout her fashion journey, the Duchess has turned many times to designer Jenny Packham. This sparkling dress worn to the Tusk Trust Awards in 2013 was a move to glitz and glam for the royal.
Simple divine (Picture: David Jones – WPA Pool/Getty Images)
While she excels at occasionwear, Kate knows how to dress for any engagement. This nautical look by Alexander McQueen is a fashion high.
A pop of colour (Picture: Theodore Wood via Getty Images)
With her flowing brown tresses, red is always going to pop on the Duchess and this Beulah London evening gown flatters her beautifully. A classic piece that would work in any year, for any occasion.
A casual look for the Duchess (Picture: Karwai Tang/WireImage)
When called upon, Kate does casual cool with ease. This outfit featuring a burgundy knit with scallop high-neck detail from affordable label Warehouse and olive green culotte pants from British line Jigsaw is accessible and autumn outfit perfection.
One of her most loved looks (Picture: Indigo/Getty Images)
One of her most loved looks, this blush pink bedazzled gown by Jenny Packham created serious buzz when she debuted it in 2011. Kate, who is a fan of re-wearing pieces, wore it again in 2016.
(Picture: Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)
Simple yet fun, this burgundy Paule Ka skirt suit was first worn by Kate in 2012. She has since worn it numerous times making it a forever classic.
The Duchess wore this dress first in 2012 (Picture: Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty Images)
The Duchess often turns to Alexander McQueen for event dressing and this embroidered white and gold gown is a showstopper. It was an ideal choice for the 2020 Bafta Awards where attendees were encouraged to wear wear an old outfit or a rented piece. She first wore the gown to a state dinner in Malaysia in 2012.
Wearing Massimo Dutti (Picture: Anwar Hussein/WireImage)
The Duchess is a fan of high street fashion and this Massimo Dutti camel coat is a staple. Simple and chic, we approve.
A dress fit for the Royal Variety performance (Picture: Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)
A dress fit for the Royal Variety Performance, Kate set heads turning in another glittering Jenny Packham gown. This time she chose deep emerald, another hue that flatters the Duchess perfectly.
A chic ensemble for the opening of the V&A’s photography centre (Picture: Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)
For the opening of the V&A’s photography centre, Kate chose another British designer. This time it was Erdem, and its plaid midi dress with an open neckline is made for the Duchess who simply accessorised it with deep plum heels and matching bag.
A classic look (Picture: Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)
Wearing a white off the shoulder dress by Barbara Casasola, the Duchess displayed a masterclass in muted dressing. Elegance in motion.
The school run never looked so good (Picture: WPA Pool/Getty Images)
Sporting a new bouncy blow dry, Kate donned a belted floral shirt dress by Michael Kors for Princess Charlotte’s first day of school. Have school runs ever looked so chic? We think not.
Utilising the silhouettes that suit her (Picture: Samir Hussein/WireImage)
Kate knows her silhouettes and this Catherine Walker coat dress is a style she returns to again and again. Worn to the filming of the U.K.’s Together at Christmas carol service last month, it is festive dressing done right.
She is an expert at occasion dressing (Picture: WPA Pool/Getty Images)
For the christening of Prince Louis, the Duchess of Cambridge once again chose Alexander McQueen. This time it was a simple white dress with puffed sleeves and midi-length hem, along with a coordinating headband adorned with flowers.
This Emilia Wickstead dress is standout piece (Picture: Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)
Wearing another classic British designer, Kate chose laidback elegance when she wore this baby blue floral Emilia Wickstead midi during the launch of the Back to Nature play garden at the Chelsea Flower Show in 2019.
Matching with Princess Charlotte (Picture: Pool/Samir Hussein/WireImage)
While at the Church of St Mary Magdalene on the Sandringham estate, Kate wore a stunning grey Catherine Walker coat. She accessorised the stand-out piece with emerald green courts, bag and headpiece, which matched the hue of Princess Charlotte’s adorable coat.
Wearing Jenny Packham once more (Picture: Karwai Tang/WireImage)
This was a true ‘wow’ sartorial moment for the future Queen. In one of her most daring red carpet looks to date, Kate made an entrance wearing a glittering gold caped Jenny Packham gown to the premiere of James Bond ‘No Time To Die’.
Jenny Packham created the piece for a very special 007- themed capsule collection, which was designed in collaboration with EON Productions, the film company behind the James Bond franchise.
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