"The same as the rest of us": Vogue editor opens up about what it's really like to work with the Duchess of Cambridge

<i>The Duchess of Cambridge starred on the cover of Vogue’s June 2016 issue [Photo: Vogue]</i>
The Duchess of Cambridge starred on the cover of Vogue’s June 2016 issue [Photo: Vogue]

A year ago, the Duchess of Cambridge appeared on the cover of British Vogue‘s centenary issue; a landmark move by a royal figure.

Now, Vogue editor Alexandra Shulman has written about working with the “low-maintenance” Duchess on a shoot that will be remembered in history.

The series of images, shot by young photographer Josh Olins, aimed to show Kate in her off-duty life. No gowns were required as the Duchess chose casual clothes fitting with the countryside location.

<i>The Vogue editor revealed that Kate was “the same as the rest of us” [Photo: Vogue]</i>
The Vogue editor revealed that Kate was “the same as the rest of us” [Photo: Vogue]

“She wanted the pictures to reflect an element of her private existence,” Shulman wrote. “She didn’t want to be dressed as a fashion plate and was not keen to be shot in gala gowns and tiaras.”

Arriving with her hair in rollers (and subsequently joking about her appearance), Shulman goes on to talk about how Kate “scarcely even checked herself in the mirror” after having her make-up done.

“Most of us would fuss about our skin or our lines or whether we looked thin or fat or in some way wrong and would need constant reassurances, whereas she demonstrated none of these neuroses, which showed an admirable and surprising lack of vanity,” the editor commented.

<i>Kate was surprisingly low-maintenance on the day of the shoot [Photo: Vogue]</i>
Kate was surprisingly low-maintenance on the day of the shoot [Photo: Vogue]

Although the Duchess seemed less than comfortable being photographed, she was keen to pick up new skills, closely watching the process as the day went on. It makes sense considering she is an avid photographer whose family portraits have garnered critical acclaim.

The resulting images showed Kate constantly smiling; a testament to her warm personality and “informal” attitude, according to the editor.

To use the overplayed phrase: it seems like Kate really is just one of us.

Click below to see every outfit the Duchess of Cambridge has worn while carrying out her royal duties:

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