Catherine, Princess of Wales (Kate Middleton) is the most influential royal style icon of her generation, credited with a “Kate Middleton effect” that was reported in 2021 to have boosted the British fashion industry by up to £1 billion within a year. Here is how her style, the brands she wears and the title she holds have changed since this article was first written.
She was born Catherine Elizabeth Middleton on 9 January 1982. She met Prince William at the University of St Andrews in 2001, and they married at Westminster Abbey on 29 April 2011. Since 9 September 2022, when William became Prince of Wales, she has been the Princess of Wales, not the Duchess of Cambridge.
| Milestone | Detail |
|---|---|
| Met Prince William | 2001, University of St Andrews |
| Engagement announced | 16 November 2010 |
| Wedding | 29 April 2011, Westminster Abbey |
| Wedding dress | Designed by Sarah Burton at Alexander McQueen |
| Title since September 2022 | Princess of Wales |
| Fashion cover | Centenary issue of a British fashion magazine, June 2016 |
The Kate Middleton effect
The “Kate Middleton effect” is the reported impact she has on sales of particular products and brands. In 2012, a news magazine wrote:
“The Kate Effect may be worth £1 billion to the UK fashion industry,”
and in the same year L.K. Bennett’s US president Tony DiMasso said:
“…when she does wear something, it always seems to go on a waiting list”.
Nine years later, in 2021, she was reported to have boosted the British fashion industry by up to £1 billion within a year.
How the effect started
After the engagement announcement in November 2010, “The Kate Middleton Effect” began. A website commenting on the outfits chosen by the Duchess was launched later that year, and in August 2012 a mobile app named “Kate’s Style List” followed.
The wedding dress
Her wedding dress was designed by Sarah Burton, creative director of Alexander McQueen. It was displayed at Buckingham Palace in the summer of 2011 and the exhibition raised funds for the Royal Collection and the couple’s charitable fund. The original version of this article put its cost at $400,000, a figure we could not verify.
The designers she wears
Her style has developed from the more conservative choices of her early public life into a sophisticated, elegant wardrobe. It frequently features Alexander McQueen, Jenny Packham and Catherine Walker, along with international houses such as Dolce & Gabbana and Gucci. She has appeared on numerous best-dressed lists, and a British fashion magazine named her an “Eternal Influencer” and one of the 50 best-dressed Britons in 2025.
Lessons from her wardrobe
Our take: pick one standout piece and keep the rest of the outfit quiet, and dress for the occasion. For the work version of that idea, see our guide on how to dress for an interview.
She grew up in Bucklebury, Berkshire, and studied art history at St Andrews before marrying William, Prince of Wales. In the 2012 version of this article we listed outfit prices from her Diamond Jubilee, BAFTA Brits to Watch and Olympics appearances, and we have removed those because we could not confirm them.
Keep reading
- How to dress for an interview: advice for her: put the same polish into a work outfit
FAQ
What is Kate Middleton’s title now?
Princess of Wales, since William became Prince of Wales on 9 September 2022.
Who designed Kate Middleton’s wedding dress?
Sarah Burton, creative director of Alexander McQueen.
What is the Kate Middleton effect?
The reported impact she has on sales of particular products and brands. In 2021 she was reported to have boosted the British fashion industry by up to £1 billion within a year.
When did Kate and William marry?
On 29 April 2011 at Westminster Abbey.
Which designers does Kate Middleton wear?
Alexander McQueen, Jenny Packham and Catherine Walker feature often, along with Dolce & Gabbana and Gucci.
Where did Kate Middleton study?
She studied art history at the University of St Andrews in Scotland, where she met William in 2001.
Last updated: October 2026.
