Kate Middleton's style secrets uncovered as Duchess wows fashion world

The Duchess of Cambridge has long inspired a nation of Copy Kates – with off-the-peg items selling out within minutes of her being pictured wearing them.

But this year Kate has surpassed herself and her fashion choices have garnered more praise than ever.

Subtle changes have meant she has grown into her style as the mother-of-three has become older – and gained more confidence.

While not deviating far from her signature style, she has modernised it.

Kate has clearly widened her scope of go-to designers, making way for some more daring choices.

Stepping out in labels like Gucci, Missoni and Elie Saab have added to the opinion she’s having a “fashion moment”.

The stunning dusky pink Gucci chiffon gown she wore to the V&A in February was Oscar-worthy.

And Tuesday’s cornflower blue Elie Saab gown for Ascot was another sign that Kate is enjoying experimenting with new styles.

Susan Kelly from website whatkatewore, says: “The Duchess’s style has been more fashion-forward over the last six to 12 months and there is one term that sums up Kate exploring more adventurous styles: self-confidence.”

When the Duchess wore a Gucci pussy-bow blouse everyone assumed she’s worn it back to front by mistake.

But it was a confident styling decision made by Kate, who thought it looked better the other way round.

A fitted green Emilia Wickstead dress was another fashion highlight.

But it’s not just her formal wear that has been transformed, she also looked every inch the off-duty mum as she unveiled her Back to Nature Garden at this year’s Chelsea Flower Show in a pair of Massimo Dutti culottes with a crisp white MIH floral shirt and a pair of Superga plimsols.

Later that day she changed into a distinctive, longline Erdem dress teamed with a pair of casual wedges.

This year has also seen Kate be more confident in trousers. She showed she can still shine dressed down in a blue jacket and her faithful knee-high Penelope Chilvers boots while she also paired skinny jeans with a red jacket and heels for a trip to North Wales.

Susan adds: “The Duchess not only looks comfortable with her public commitments; she looks like she is flourishing.”

Some have attributed her new oomph to her new stylist Ginnie Chadwyck-Healey who is covering her long-time PA and stylist Natasha Archer while she’s on maternity leave.

Kate has traded in her trusty nude court shoes for elegant designer heels.

She chose a sparkly pair of Jimmy Choos when she recycled a Barbara Casasola dress to a charity dinner this month.

And a polka dot Alessandra Rich silk dress worn was highlighted by a pair of powder blue Gianvito Rossi shoes.

While Kate’s heel height may have gone up, her hemlines seem to have come down as she has found her right dress coat length – wearing them slightly lower on the knee.

Far from radically changing her style it could simply be the case that she’s just settled into it...