The 31-year-old year old stylist Natasha Archer - known affectionately as Tash to family and friends – has been working for the Royals since 2007, four years before Kate became a member of the Royal Family, but when she already had a high profile as Prince William’s long-time girlfriend. Archer began working for William and Kate as a personal assistant and officially became a style adviser to the Duchess of Cambridge in 2014. For more than a decade Archer has advised and styled Kate, contributing to the Duchess’s status as a fashion icon. On Thursday Archer was rewarded for her work with a Royal Victorian Order, presented to her by William in a special ceremony at Buckingham Palace, according to Town and Country.
Archer’s currently on maternity leave after having son Theo, who was with her and proud royal photographer husband Chris Jackson, at lunch at The Goring Hotel to celebrate Archer’s achievement. Jackson posted photos of the stylist receiving her medal in a gorgeous blue polka-dot dress and chunky pale pink headband; an elegant outfit that emphasised just why she’s been honoured.
In her time away, it was announced that Virginia Chadwyck-Healey, a close university friend of William and Kate’s who worked for British Vogue had stepped in as a stylist, but according to sources, Archer has not been replaced.
Archer’s appointment to the Royal Victorian Order was originally announced as part of the Queen’s New Year’s Honours back in December. The fancy-sounding honour was originally created in 1896 by Queen Victoria as a way of honouring personal service to the Queen or members of the royal family.
The Duchess of Cambridge herself was recently appointed to the Royal Victorian Order by the Queen, making her a Dame Grand Cross of the Victorian Order (or GCVO for short)
READ MORE: Kate Middleton's Best Fashion Moments
Kate Middleton's Best Fashion Moments - Grazia
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When Kate and William announced their engagement in 2010, Kate wore a sapphire blue Issa dress.
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Kate attended the wedding of Nicholas Van Cutsem and Alice Hadden-Paton in 2009 wearing a Jane Troughton coat over an Issa dress.
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During the President's visit in 2011, Kate greeted the First Lady, Michelle Obama, wearing a nude Reiss dress.
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Kate attended the wedding of Harry Meade and Rosemarie Bradford in 2010 wearing an electric blue Issa dress.
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Kate wowed in a Jenny Packham dress and LK Bennett heels when she attended the ARK (Absolute Return for Kids) gala dinner in 2011.
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On April 29th 2011, Kate married Prince William and became Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge. She wore an Alexander McQueen dress, designed by Sarah Burton.
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The couple visited Belfast in 2011, and Kate wore a Burberry coat and Marvin K boots.
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At the Trooping of the Colour ceremony in 2011, Kate opted for an Alexander McQueen coat.
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At Wimbledon in 2011 Kate wore a dress by Temperley London.
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Kate arrived in Canada in 2011 for the Royal Tour, wearing a lace Erdem dress.
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Kate looked stunning during the Canadian Royal Tour in 2011, wearing a white Reiss dress.
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During the Royal Tour in Canada, 2011, the Duchess wore an Alice by Temperley blouse with Goldsign jeans.
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During their Canadian Royal Tour, Kate boarded a plane in a pale yellow Jenny Packham dress.
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On the final day of the Canadian Royal Tour in 2011, Kate wore a Catherine Walker dress with LK Bennett heels.
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in 2011 Kate visited Copenhagen's Unicef centre wearing a red coat by LK Bennett.
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On Remembrance Day in 2011, Kate wore a Diane von Furstenberg coat.
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Kate was stunning when she attended the premiere of War Horse in 2012, wearing a Temperley London black lace gown.
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in 2012 Kate boarded the Diamond Jubilee flotilla wearing a scarlet red Alexander McQueen dress.
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In 2012 Kate wore Zara jeans with a Burberry shirt to visit the Widehorizons Margaret McMillan House.
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Kate wore an Emilia Wickstead coat dress at the Thistle Service in Edinburgh in 2012.
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During the Diamond Jubilee tour of South East Asia, Kate wore a Jenny Packham dress and LK Bennett heels to visit Singapore's Botanical Gardens.
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Pregnant Kate was glowing at the National Review of the Queen's Scouts in 2013, wearing a Mulberry mint green coat and LK Bennett heels.
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Pregnant Kate attended the 60th anniversary of the Queen's Coronation in June 2013, wearing a bespoke Jenny Packham lace dress with a peach jacket.
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On July 23rd 2013 Kate and William introduced their son, Prince George, to the world's press. Kate looked lovely in a blue polka dot Jenny Packham dress.
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At the christening of Prince George in October 2013, Kate wore a pale Alexander McQueen dress.
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In April 2013 Kate, along with William and George, landed in Wellington Airport, New Zealand. Kate looked amazing in a scarlet red Catherine Walker coat.
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When visiting Whenuapai, near Auckland, Kate wore a striped Breton top with a Zara blazer and J Brand jeans.
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Kate arrived at Dunedin International Airport wearing an Emilia Wickstead pleated dress.
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The couple visited Winmalee in 2014 to meet victims of the bush fires in the area, and Kate wore a DVF printed dress.
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At the Queen's Garden Party in 2014 Kate looked stunning in a lace Alexander McQueen dress.
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Whilst pregnant with Princess Charlotte, Kate visited Portsmouth in 2015, wearing a MaxMara coat, Jimmy Choo heels and a clutch by L.K. Bennett.
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Kate made her first public appearance since the birth of Princess Charlotte at the Trooping of the Colour in June 2015, wearing a Catherine Walker coat.
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For the christening of her daughter, Princess Charlotte, in July 2015, Kate wore an ivory Alexander McQueen dress.
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In November 2015 Kate visited Caernarfon in North Wales, and kept warm in a Reiss coat.
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During the 2016 tour to India and Bhutan, Kate wore an Emilia Wickstead dress in Mumbai.
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Kate wore a pale yellow Emilia Wickstead dress when she arrived in Bhutan in April 2016.
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On a visit to the Taj Mahal in 2016 Kate wore a Naeem Khan dress .
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During the Canadian Royal Tour in 2016 Kate wore a scarlet Preen by Thornton Bregazzi gown at the Government of British Columbia reception.
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On the second day of the Canadian royal tour Kate wore a red Alexander McQueen dress and red Russell & Bromley heels.
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Kate chose a powder blue suit for by Catherine Walker for her visit to the Netherlands - her first solo overseas engagement.
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For an event marking World Mental Health Day in 2016, Kate chose a floral patterned dress with pleated front by Kate Spade.
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Kate wore a checked Erdem coat for a visit to Manchester in October 2016
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For a reception of Team GB athletes at Buckingham Palace, Kate chose a poppy print tea dress by Alexander McQueen
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Kate Middleton wearing a £320 white Self Portrait dress at the Recovery Street Film Festival
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The Duchess donned a Preen by Thornton Bregazzi dress to the Place2Be Wellbeing In Schools Awards.
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In December 2016 Kate attended the Christmas party for volunteers at The Mix youth service.
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On St. Patricks day Kate wore a green coat by Catherine Walker. She didn't have time to to change, though, as she had to board a plane to Paris that same day to meet with President Hollande.
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Kate dazzled on the Paris royal tour in March 2017. She wore a sparkling Jenny Packham gown to the gala dinner.
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When in Paris on the royal tour, Kate wore a pillarbox-red Carolina Herrera coat to watch the Six Nations rugby game.
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When visiting the National Portrait Gallery in March 2017, Kate wowed in a forest green lace dress by Temperley London.
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During the Paris royal tour, Kate wore a black Alexander McQueen gown at the British Embassy reception.
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The Duchess of Cambridge made a day trip to Luxembourg, amid reports the royal family are becoming Britain's "Brexit ambassadors", opting for a chic baby blue dress coat by Emilia Wickstead.