It's hard to imagine any seven-months pregnant woman trudging through the brutal cold and snow looking even remotely comfortable, let alone glamorous—unless it's Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge.
Together with Prince William, the 36 year-old duchess, who is expecting the couple's third child in April, has been on a royal tour of Norway and Sweden this week and has dazzled fashion watchers in the final months of her pregnancy.
Her secret weapon?
A faithful glam squad who travels with her to manage her wardrobe and tend to her tresses.
Personal hairdresser Amanda Cook Tucker (who also cut William and Prince Harry's hair for many years as children) travels with the Duchess of Cambridge on all royal tours. She offered a rare glimpse into what it takes to keep the royal locks looking luxe when she posted a photo of her beauty arsenal on social media earlier this week. Cook Tucker's travel kit included 13 different hair brushes, various flat ironing and curling tools and Catherine's favorite Elnett hairspray and Kiehl's styling cream.
Natasha Archer, or "Tash," as she is known within the royal circle – is Catherine's personal stylist who has been accompanying the duchess on all royal tours for years. This week, she put together a wardrobe of impeccably tailored coats and maternity dresses that have managed to make the soon-to-be mother of three young children look impossibly stylish and pulled together throughout the couple's first royal tour of 2018 which included plenty of outdoor appearances in frigid temperatures and snowy surroundings.
A post shared by Det Norske Kongehus (@norwegianroyalfamily) on Feb 1, 2018 at 3:39am PST
Archer managed the duchess' multiple wardrobe changes—often three in a day—and kept Catherine looking great in tailored coats from Catherine Walker and Alexander McQueen, alpaca fur hats and handbags from Chanel and Mulberry.
On Tuesday, at a Bandy hockey event in Stockholm Kate playfully paid tribute to the Swedes by wearing a burgundy sweater from Swedish brand Fjallraven, a shearling coat from Burberry and Sorel winter snow boots.
For a black tie dinner at the British ambassador's residence that night, the duchess wore a long floral dress by one of her favorite designers, Erdem, in a rich gold and blue pattern, the colors of the Swedish flag. She completed the look with a pair of chandelier drop pearl earrings that once belonged to Princess Diana.
Archer has risen through the ranks from the duchess' personal assistant to the chief architect of Catherine's style and is credited with creating her flawless, regal look that has evolved over time.
Archer's prominence and influence was first evident when she was one of the only people - aside from the Royal family - seen entering the Lindo Wing of St. Mary's Hospital after the birth of Prince George.
At the time, Archer, who studied Hispanic Studies at King's College London, was seen carrying a garment bag and baby car seat, which led to speculation that it had been Archer that selected the instantly iconic blue and white polka dot dress that Kate chose for her first appearance with the baby. The choice was widely heralded as a sweet homage to Princess Diana who had worn a similar dress after the birth of Prince William.
Archer, who happens to be the wife of Getty Images' royal photographer Chris Jackson, who also accompanies the royals on tour, has sent the British tabloids into overdrive speculating about whether there is hidden meaning in the clothes Catherine has been wearing this week. She has been photographed in a slate blue Catherine Walker coat and two blue dresses, one notably by maternity label Seraphine which mere mortals can snap up (if it hasn't already sold out) for $210.
Diane Clehane is a New York-based journalist and author of Imagining Diana: A Novel and Diana: The Secrets of Her Style.
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