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Entertainment

30 Photos of Kate Middleton Before She Was Royal That Prove She’s Always Been a Fashion Queen

By Jess Catcher

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Kate Middleton has countless qualities that we’ve admired since she became a part of the royal family, from her passion for promoting mental health awareness to being a doting mom to George, Charlotte, and Louis. But one thing she’s always impressed us with, even before saying “I do” to Prince William, is her fashion sense. 

We gotta be honest, we tend to get some serious retail envy every time we see the duchess appear at an event. Whether she’s wearing a casual jeans and boots combo, a flouncy floral dress, or sweeping effortlessly around a room in a gorgeous gown, Kate always embodies exactly what it means to be a classy future-queen. 

Her covetable style comes as no surprise at this point, but after taking a look back at some of the outfits she was snapped in while she and William were just dating and then engaged, it’s clear she always had an eye for fashion. Of course, there were also a lot of sartorial choices we’ll probably never see her donning again (though she does love a repeat fashion moment) — like that unforgettable roller disco getup she wore in 2008. Kate certainly embraces less “regal” attire from time to time, but it’s unlikely we’ll see her boogying around in short-shorts and skates in the future. 

Keep scrolling below to refresh your memory with all the amazing outfits Kate wore before becoming Duchess Catherine!

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    We're a little bit obsessed with this layered lace skirt Kate wore to a wedding in early June 2005.

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    Kate was snapped in this casual outfit while out and about with her dad, Michael, in the days leading up to her graduation from the University of St. Andrews in 2005. 

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    If only we could all make a graduation robe look as good as Kate did in 2005!

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    Kate was all smiles in this cowboy hat and high boot ensemble while attending the Gatcombe Park Festival in August 2005, which featured William's cousin Zara Tindall in the horse riding competition. 

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    Kate looked effortlessly chic in a soft blue blazer while Christmas shopping with her mom, Carole, in 2005.

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    This stunning hat clearly kept the future duchess cozy in March 2006 while attending the Cheltenham Races with her sister, Pippa.

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    How cute are these photos of William cuddling up to a casually dressed Kate in 2006? Pippa seemed to be just at charmed by the prince!

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    Kate wore this tasteful ensemble to attend the wedding of Laura Parker Bowles (William's step-sister) to Harry Lopes in May 2006. (Laura's daughter Eliza later served as a bridesmaid for Kate!)

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    We can't decide which is cuter — this floral dress from June 2006 or those bangs?

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    Kate gave off some gorgeous Charlie's Angels vibes while watching William play in the Chakravarty Cup charity polo match later in June 2006.

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    Kate's coat matched the red accents on the Royal Military uniform perfectly at the Sovereign's Parade in December 2006.

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    While grabbing a taxi home from hanging out with Will at London's Mahiki Club in 2007, both the Middleton sisters looked lovely — and seemed to have had a very fun night! — but Kate's silky scarf is the real show-stopper. 

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    The olive skirt suit Kate wore during another visit to the Cheltenham Races in March 2007 paired nicely with William's jacket.

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    As cute as she looked in the olive outfit on day one of the 2007 Cheltenham Races, we love this pale blue jacket and jaunty hat combo she wore for day two even more! 

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    The Middleton sisters both enjoyed a night out in beautiful dresses for a book launch in May 2007. 

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    After a brief breakup (only about two months), William clearly saw the error of his ways and they were back together by the time he and Harry hosted the Concert For Diana in July 2007. But the couple still kept things coy by not sitting next to each other during the event. Kate attended with her brother, James, and rocked a pair high boots with her white coat dress.

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    The couple were back in full swing by the time this photo of them both wearing chic ski attire was snapped during a holiday in March 2008.

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    This coat dress from William's Royal Air Force graduation ceremony in April 2008 reminds us of the one she wore to the Concert For Diana, but with a few more designer details.

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    This feathery fascinator topped of a totally cute look for Kate while attending the wedding of Lady Rose Windsor in July 2008.

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    William and Kate were snapped leaving a date night in August 2008, with Kate choosing this colorful dress for the evening.

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    This is certainly a look we can't imagine the duchess wearing these days! Kate embraced the 1970s disco vibe for a charity event in September 2008.

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    We'd love to know what Kate's saying in the photo on the right while wearing this lovely lavender ensemble to a wedding in August 2009.

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    Kate wore royal blue to another wedding in October 2010 just before the couple announced their own engagement.

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    Blue clearly became one of Kate's go-to hues when she started her transition to royalty, perhaps inspired by the iconic Princess Diana ring William placed on her finger before their engagement announcement.

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    The couple were naturally in good spirits in the months leading up to their wedding celebration. Here they are chuckling together as Kate (in a classy brown ensemble) christened a Welsh lifeboat in February 2011.

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    Kate opted for this romantic red outfit when the pair paid a visit to their alma mater, the University of St. Andrews in Scotland, in February 2011. Judging by the looks on their faces, they had a very nice time reminiscing about when they met back in college!

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    A few rain drops didn't seem to bother Kate in this ruffled raincoat while in Ireland with William in March 2011. 

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    Kate went back to royal blue with this smart skirt suit in April 2011, just a few weeks before her wedding.

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    Kate didn't seem nervous at all the night before her big day in April 2011 with this casual polka-dot dress — and can we all take a second to admire those luscious locks, too?

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    Of course, the very last outfit Kate stepped into before saying "I do" to William and officially becoming a member of the royal family was this stunning Alexander McQueen wedding gown for their nuptials on April 29, 2011.  As fun as this walk down fashion memory lane, we can't wait to see what Kate decides to wear for all of royal events to come!
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