Kate Middleton is Getting a Couture Makeover, Courtesy of Queen Elizabeth II, Palace Sources Claim

It's no secret that here at Glamour HQ, we're huge fans of Kate Middleton.
Not only does she have some of the prettiest hair of basically any royal, like, ever, but she also has a killer sense of modern regal style—and isn't afraid to fly her normal-person flag and wear her favorite outfits more than once.
Down-to-earth style smarts: we like that in a girl.
But wagging tongues back in Old Blighty are whispering that head royal Queen Elizabeth II wants Kate to up her fashion game—and perhaps ditch all the High Street stuff she's been known to trot out time and time again (hello J Brand jeans and Ralph Lauren jacket) in favor of a fancier, more couture-driven look this spring.
According to a report in the Mail on Sunday, Kate is scheduled to make an official visit to Australia this April—and the Queen has asked her personal stylist, Angela Kelly, to work with Kate on the young Duchess' packing list—which will include some of the Queen's and Queen Mother's favorite tiaras as well as four outfit changes each day for the nearly-month-long trip.
"The Queen has a strong relationship with Australia and New Zealand, and by sending the Duke and Duchess she is projecting an image of the future," royal biographer Sarah Bradford told the paper.
To that end, palace sources say that the Queen wants Kate to project more of a "sense of majesty"—i.e. in with the couture, out with the cute-casual.
Rumor has is that Kate's people are already in cahoots with some of Kate's favorite fashion houses—including Alexander McQueen and Temperley London, both of which are working on custom looks for her sojourn.
But there won't be any flippy short skirts or kick little dresses in Australia—the Mail says they "have been outlawed in case they detract from the newly grown-up image she needs to project"—also, to avoid the potential for any wardrobe malfunctions, like that wind-meets-skirt episode back in November.
"Even a modern-day royal needs help with dressing," says designer David Emanuel, who designed Princess Diana's wedding gown and worked with the late princess on her overseas tour wardrobes. "Kate is going to be scrutinized from head to toe. We take for granted how good she looks but it's a lot of work. You need to think about the national colors of the country, its flag and emblems and how to reflect that in the clothes you wear. It takes weeks of research and Kate is going to need quality couture for the trip."

I'm so excited to see all of Kate's new clothes for her Australian tour—but I'm hoping that she doesn't give up her everywoman wardrobe altogether! I love seeing Kate wearing more affordable clothes from Reiss and LK Bennett. Don't you?








source:www.glamour.com