Queen-in-wait! Kate Middleton wins royal wardrobe war over Meghan Markle
Kate Middleton’s reign over royal fashion is well and truly underway, and this is why she is out-dressing Meghan Markle at every turn.
World
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Their husbands are in the midst of a bitter war of words but for the wives of Windsor, it is a war of wardrobes.
Meghan Markle – the former actress turned Duchess of Sussex – was once the darling of royal fashion, considered the most likely to bring stiletto-heeled Hollywood glamour to Buckingham Palace.
But it is Kate Middleton, 40, who has triumphed in the style stakes, turning heads with a serious “wow factor” after a subtle yet noticeable sartorial makeover.
Kate’s reign is as a style queen, not only the queen-in-wait.
Kensington Palace has poured everything into making her a fashion icon, with a rumoured six-figure wardrobe allowance and outfit direction from her long-time stylist, Natasha Archer – a former PA turned fashion adviser – as well as relationships with brands spanning Alexander McQueen to Stella McCartney, who are clamouring to dress her.
From her hairdo to her outfits, the Duchess of Cambridge has been on a fashionable hot streak. Among her latest head-turning outfits was an off-the-shoulder Roland Mouret gown worn to the Top Gun: Maverick movie premiere that showed more skin than usual.
And during the recent Platinum Jubilee weekend, the Duchess of Cambridge maintained the poise and elegance she is known for, while still being fashion forward.
“She no longer has to prove herself,” one style commentator said.
For the Trooping the Colour parade, Kate re-wore a white Alexander McQueen coat dress – teamed with a pair of Princess Diana’s drop earrings – that she had previously been seen in at the G7 summit in Cornwall last year.
There was the muted yellow Emilia Wickstead tailored dress, teamed with a Philip Treacy saucer hat and the Queen’s Bahrain pearl earrings, worn at St Paul’s Cathedral.
And a blue polka dot Alessandra Rich midi dress teamed with Jimmy Choo pumps Kate wore to a Jubilee street party in Kensington, that recalled an outfit worn by the late Princess Diana.
Luxury stylist Gabriel Waller said Kate appeared “ready” for her next fashion era.
“It’s going to be a big year for the royals and Kate is ready,” Ms Waller said, of the Duchess’ style.
Ms Waller – who is based in Los Angeles and set to return to Australia for a residency at mega estate, Jackalope – said Kate’s latest outfits reflected her “modernised” approach to regal-inspired dressing.
“We are definitely starting to see more modernised, streamlined looks as opposed to the more traditional styling we had previously seen from her,” Ms Waller said.
“I’ve personally loved seeing her style growth and look forward to seeing where this evolution takes her.”
Kate’s Jubilee wardrobe was a contrast to the ensembles chosen by Meghan, 40, whose outfits were less attention-grabbing – possibly an intentional move given her and husband Prince Harry had promised the Queen there would be “no drama” on their recent trip to England.
“Meghan is in an unenviable position, but she returned to the UK dressed with supreme poise and in a beautifully pristine Dior belted coat dress and matching accessories,” said Vogue Australia fashion features director Alice Birrell.
“No doubt commentators will read into this what they will, but a belted, demure look in pure white is elegant and doesn’t command too much attention.
“Kate’s Emilia Wickstead dress in a shade of lemon butter and her balloon sleeve Stella McCartney piece are signs she can colour outside the lines a little bit more with her on less contested royal ground.
“For Meghan, this is a time to play it safe and stylishly sleek, keeping the attention on the Jubilee and no doubt wishing to keep herself out of the headlines.”
Kate’s Jubilee weekend fashion reign was the latest in string of sartorial hits for the Duchess of Cambridge.
Wearing a $4750 off-the-shoulder Roland Mouret gown, Kate looked every inch the movie star as she walked the red carpet with Tom Cruise at the Top Gun: Maverick premiere in London last month.
As Cruise held her hand on the red carpet, Kate teamed the outfit with a Alexander McQueen clutch and Prada heels, with her hair long and straight, and parted in the middle – a slight yet significant tweak to her usual voluminous and curled royal blow wave.
So what is the significance of Kate’s Hollywood-esque style makeover? It signals she is secure about her place within the British royal family and her future role as Queen, experts say.
“The Duchess is in a comfortable place in the royal family so these style outings, upping the ante, can be seen as an expression of that ease and confidence,” Ms Birrell said.
She said Kate’s Top Gun: Maverick premiere outfit was an example of a “perfectly balanced” royal yet celebrity look.
“Her off-shoulder Maverick moment in body-skimming dress was perfectly balanced when it comes to showing skin – note the hem hits the floor so keeps things demure even with her shoulders on show,” Ms Birrell said.
The significance of the Duchess of Cambridge’s sleek, straight hair and dramatic middle part should not be underestimated.
“The straight hair makes it feel more contemporary than the royal approved blow-wave,” Ms Birrell said.
“In actual fact, I wouldn’t say it’s a total departure from her past looks, Kate has always woven in her personal flair: look to her gilded moment for the James Bond premiere (in 2021) where she paid homage to Princess Diana in a V-neck gold Jenny Packham gown and a penchant for black lace dresses.”
Kate’s subtle style revamp reflects her cemented position in the royal family.
“So beloved, (Kate) no longer has to prove herself, so it gives her wiggle room in the style stakes and it’s a joy to see her experiment with old world glamour,” Ms Birrell said.
She wears it well.
Gab Waller will be at Jackalope from June 19-25. Having built a profile for sourcing sold out, high demand designer goods for a who’s who of global clients, Ms Waller, in partnership with FWRD, has curated a collection of her favourite clothing and accessories. For more details, click here.
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