The more things change, the more they stay the same, so it's a small comfort to know Kate Middleton is still out there wearing pretty dresses and causing a shopping stampede in the process.
Always keen to dress to a theme, Kate looked radiant in a summery floral dress while helping build a garden for a children's hospice. As a passionate gardener herself, she was clearly in her element, and with a wardrobe to match.
The Duchess of Cambridge arrived to The Nook near Norwich in a pastel-toned floral dress, featuring small flower patterns, a v-neckline and short puff sleeves – one of the biggest trends of the summer. The lilac shade perfectly complemented Kate's colouring, and was ideal for a day of gardening.
The Marie Louise floral-print woven midi dress, by celebrity favourite Faithfull the Brand, is already sold out on Net-a-Porter and Revolve, but you can snap it up for €220 once it's back in stock.
The midi-length dress subtly continued the Duchess's fondness for vintage-style clothes, as the short sleeves and fitted bust detailing harked back to the tea dresses of the 1940s.
Paired with nude suede Russell & Bromley 'Coco-nut' wedges – costing £135 and subtly accented with gold – and her affordable Accessorize 'Twisted Circle' earrings, Kate served up serious garden party inspiration.
But even more stunning was her perfect sun-kissed tan. With her lighter brown locks and golden glow, the Duchess looked like she'd stepped off the royal jet from a faraway paradise.
The Duchess told children and staff at the event that her own three children – George, Charlotte and Louis – have been busy in the garden themselves, having a sunflower growing competition, and it's clear that Kate's bronze glow is from all that time in the garden,
With her hair worn straight and gently blown out, and with a fresh and natural makeup look for the day, Kate looked every inch the fashion-forward Duchess.
