If there’s one thing Kate Middleton is known for, it’s… well, probably her eternally bouncy hair. Or her charity work. Or, you know, being married to the next in line to the throne. But right up there would be her ever-flawless style. The Duchess of Cambridge has become quite the fashion icon, thanks to her love of McQueen coats, tireless commitment to Hobbs frocks and natty way with a Zara blazer. And if there’s anyone who can wear an L.K.Bennett court better then, heck, we just don’t want to know about them.
But of late, our style obsession has become even stronger, thanks to some increasingly edgy looks (well, by royal standards. She's never going to be Gaga, is she?). Case in point, this Temperley number:
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Cutouts? CUTOUTS? Of course, this has lead to the inevitable speculation: who could be helping to rummage through the royal closet for such daring looks? Suggestions have covered everyone from Cara Delevingne’s mother Pandora to Prince George’s godmother Emilia Jardine Paterson to the Queen’s dresser Angela Kelly.
But now Vanity Fair is suggesting it is actually 27-year-old PA Natasha Archer who has turned stylist to help Kate experiment with new looks. Reportedly shopping for Kate online and calling in hundreds of dresses for perusal, it’s Natasha who is being credited with persuading Kate to take sartorial risks including shorter hemlines (see: spilt-hem Jenny Packham) and trend-focused styles (Temperley cutout dress, ahoy).
Could it be case closed? Or could it just be one of Kate’s mates offering online shopping advice? To be honest, we don’t much mind who is behind Kate’s style evolution. If it means the end of fascinators, frankly, we’re 100% on board.
