Kate Middleton’s best fashion looks, from the royal wedding to motherhood

Ever since she was spotted walking arm-in-arm with Prince William during a ski trip in 2004, the now Duchess of Cambridge’s style has come under close inspection.

From Kate Middleton's early time in the public eye during which she embraced preppy puffer jackets and hiking boots to more refined gowns at evening galas, the royal’s wardrobe has experienced a coming of age over the years, prompting her sartorial status to soar.

Today, the duchess is recognised for her effortless polish – there isn’t a public appearance where she doesn’t look perfectly put together – with the so-called “Kate effect” causing websites to sell out of designs in minutes, months-long waiting lists and surges in sales for lesser-known brands.

While the royal regularly wears items from a number of luxury fashion designers, including Emilia Wickstead and Erdem, no brand is held in as high regard by Kate as Alexander McQueen, which she chose to create her custom wedding gown in 2011.

In the years that have followed, Kate turned to the luxury brand on several occasions for appearances including the Queen’s birthday party, the Royal Variety Performance and Trooping the Colour.

However, the duchess regularly ensures that such royal pageantry is balanced by wearing fashion that’s considered to be more “down-to-earth”, with budget-friendly pieces from high street favourites such as Topshop, Zara, Hobbs and LK Bennett.

Aside from the royal wedding, some of Kate’s most talked about fashion statements have been made on the steps at the Lindo Wing of St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington, following the births of each of her children, George, Charlotte and Louis.

The duchess introduced all three newborns to the world with a bedside blowdry and perfectly put-together looks designed by Jenny Packham in variations of spring yellow, baby blue and scarlet red.

Click through the gallery above to see Kate’s most memorable fashion moments.