Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge, is one of the biggest champions of UK fashion on the world stage. So, ahead of presenting the Queen Elizabeth II Award for British Design at Kensington's Design Museum today naturally she plumped for some homegrown talent.
Kate's teal Pedernal midi dress, with its knotted sleeves and buckle belt detail, is by Edeline Lee - the London-based British-Canadian designer and a Central Saint Martins graduate. Excellent news is that it's still available to buy. At £785 it's not cheap, but just think of the mileage you'll get out of this easy and elegant piece, from work to wedding season and beyond.
While the Duchess of Cambridge has never attended London Fashion Week in her official capacity, this wasn’t the first time a royal has been in the presence of the capital’s brightest young talent. In 2018, The Majesty herself attended the inaugural Queen Elizabeth II Award, and sat front row at Richard Quinn’s runway show.
Today, The Duchess of Cambridge, on behalf of Her Majesty The Queen, in this Platinum Jubilee year, presented the award to London-based designer Saul Nash. Nash – both a designer and a choreographer – is recognised for his modern take on design, combining sportswear design with technical fabrications.
SEE: The Duchess of Cambridge's Best Looks
Kate Middleton
When Kate and William announced their engagement in 2010, Kate wore a sapphire blue Issa dress.
Kate Middleton
Kate attended the wedding of Nicholas Van Cutsem and Alice Hadden-Paton in 2009 wearing a Jane Troughton coat over an Issa dress.
Kate Middleton
During the President's visit in 2011, Kate greeted the First Lady, Michelle Obama, wearing a nude Reiss dress.
Kate Middleton
Kate attended the wedding of Harry Meade and Rosemarie Bradford in 2010 wearing an electric blue Issa dress.
Kate Middleton
Kate wowed in a Jenny Packham dress and LK Bennett heels when she attended the ARK (Absolute Return for Kids) gala dinner in 2011.
Kate Middleton
On April 29th 2011, Kate married Prince William and became Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge. She wore an Alexander McQueen dress, designed by Sarah Burton.
Kate Middleton
The couple visited Belfast in 2011, and Kate wore a Burberry coat and Marvin K boots.
Kate Middleton
At the Trooping of the Colour ceremony in 2011, Kate opted for an Alexander McQueen coat.
Kate Middleton
At Wimbledon in 2011 Kate wore a dress by Temperley London.
Kate Middleton
Kate arrived in Canada in 2011 for the Royal Tour, wearing a lace Erdem dress.
Kate Middleton
Kate looked stunning during the Canadian Royal Tour in 2011, wearing a white Reiss dress.
Kate Middleton
During the Royal Tour in Canada, 2011, the Duchess wore an Alice by Temperley blouse with Goldsign jeans.
Kate Middleton
During their Canadian Royal Tour, Kate boarded a plane in a pale yellow Jenny Packham dress.
Kate Middleton
On the final day of the Canadian Royal Tour in 2011, Kate wore a Catherine Walker dress with LK Bennett heels.
Kate Middleton
in 2011 Kate visited Copenhagen's Unicef centre wearing a red coat by LK Bennett.
Kate Middleton
On Remembrance Day in 2011, Kate wore a Diane von Furstenberg coat.
Kate Middleton
Kate was stunning when she attended the premiere of War Horse in 2012, wearing a Temperley London black lace gown.
kate Middleton
in 2012 Kate boarded the Diamond Jubilee flotilla wearing a scarlet red Alexander McQueen dress.
Kate Middleton
In 2012 Kate wore Zara jeans with a Burberry shirt to visit the Widehorizons Margaret McMillan House.
Kate Middleton
Kate wore an Emilia Wickstead coat dress at the Thistle Service in Edinburgh in 2012.
kate Middleton
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.
kate Middleton
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.
kate Middleton
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.
kate Middleton
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.
Kate Middleton
At the christening of Prince George in October 2013, Kate wore a pale Alexander McQueen dress.
Kate Middleton
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.
kate Middleton
When visiting Whenuapai, near Auckland, Kate wore a striped Breton top with a Zara blazer and J Brand jeans.
Kate Middleton
Kate arrived at Dunedin International Airport wearing an Emilia Wickstead pleated dress.
Kate Middleton
The couple visited Winmalee in 2014 to meet victims of the bush fires in the area, and Kate wore a DVF printed dress.
kate Middleton
At the Queen's Garden Party in 2014 Kate looked stunning in a lace Alexander McQueen dress.
Kate Middleton
Whilst pregnant with Princess Charlotte, Kate visited Portsmouth in 2015, wearing a MaxMara coat, Jimmy Choo heels and a clutch by L.K. Bennett.
Kate Middleton
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.
Kate Middleton
For the christening of her daughter, Princess Charlotte, in July 2015, Kate wore an ivory Alexander McQueen dress.
Kate Middleton
In November 2015 Kate visited Caernarfon in North Wales, and kept warm in a Reiss coat.
Kate Middleton
During the 2016 tour to India and Bhutan, Kate wore an Emilia Wickstead dress in Mumbai.
Kate Middleton
Kate wore a pale yellow Emilia Wickstead dress when she arrived in Bhutan in April 2016.
Kate Middleton
On a visit to the Taj Mahal in 2016 Kate wore a Naeem Khan dress .
Kate Middleton
During the Canadian Royal Tour in 2016 Kate wore a scarlet Preen by Thornton Bregazzi gown at the Government of British Columbia reception.
Kate Middleton
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.
kate middleton erdem coat manchester
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.
kate middleton
In December 2016 Kate attended the Christmas party for volunteers at The Mix youth service.
kate middleton
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.
kate middleton
Kate dazzled on the Paris royal tour in March 2017. She wore a sparkling Jenny Packham gown to the gala dinner.
kate middleton
When in Paris on the royal tour, Kate wore a pillarbox-red Carolina Herrera coat to watch the Six Nations rugby game.
kate middleton
When visiting the National Portrait Gallery in March 2017, Kate wowed in a forest green lace dress by Temperley London.
kate middleton
During the Paris royal tour, Kate wore a black Alexander McQueen gown at the British Embassy reception.
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kate middleton
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.