IT’S hard to imagine a time when Kate Middleton wasn’t a key player in the Royal Family.
But in 2010, the Duchess of Cambridge‘s world was turned upside down when her engagement to Prince William was announced by the Palace.
The couple – who had met as students at the University of St Andrews – had been dating for 10 years before they tied the knot at Westminster Abbey in a ceremony watched by 36.7m people around the world.
However in the months leading up to their engagement, royal expert Tom Quinn claims Kate underwent a major change to her image.
Appearing on the Channel 5 documentary William & Kate: Too Good To Be True, the author said the future Duchess tweaked her personal style to something “more appropriate” for a member of the Royal Family.
The expert said: “Her clothing almost began to reflect what people saw in her character, a kind of restraint, kind of modesty almost.
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“I think that did come about because William and Kate were coming towards the point where they would announce their engagement.
“It was Kate starting to behave in ways which would be seen more appropriate for a future Queen.”
In other words, the Duchess – who was 29 at the time – swapped her form-fitting dresses and jeans for knee-length hemlines and long sleeves.
By the time their engagement was announced in November 2010, Kate had had a total royal rebrand – and her £400 navy blue wrap dress by Issa London sold out almost instantly.
Elsewhere in the documentary, royal expert Victoria Arbiter said the couple underestimated the public interest in their relationship after they left university.
She said: “Graduation for William and Kate, it really was their last moment in that protective bubble.
“I think perhaps they might have both been a bit naive about what was to come.
“William understood how the media works but Kate would have had no idea what it meant to be on the receiving end.”
In more Royal Family news, Prince William is ‘supportive’ of Camilla becoming Queen when Charles takes the throne despite ‘family rows’ in the past.
And Kate Middleton will help send kids to sleep by reading bedtime story on CBeebies.
Plus royal fans spot romantic Kate Middleton and Prince William photo in background of Queen’s Jubilee picture.
