KATE’S FAVOURITE KEEPS IT HUMBLE

SMILEY blonde sarah Burton, 43, was raised outside Manchester. the daughter of an accountant father and music teacher mother, she wore her brothers’ hand-medowns as a child.

she joined Alexander McQueen as an intern in 1996 from saint Martin’s, quickly rising to become his right-hand woman. his suicide in 2010 piloted her into the driving seat. somehow, she managed to build on his legacy, winning the ultimate commission — designing the Duchess of Cambridge’s wedding dress in 2011. she has become Kate’s most cherished designer.

FAMILY MATTERS:

Married to photographer David Burton with three daughters: twins, elizabeth and Cecilia, four, and Romilly, one. home is a ‘rambling’ victorian house in North london.

her normality is undoubtedly a strength — attracting praise from vogue editor Anna Wintour. ‘[sarah] is so humble,’ she says. ‘A significant part of her success is that warmth.’ sarah herself says: ‘having children gives you balance. it’s only fashion.’

FASHION NOTES:

Not a party girl, in spite of creating evening frocks for lady Gaga, Michelle obama, Gwyneth and the like. Prefers country walks and pub lunches.

MONEY, MONEY, MONEY:

owner Kering say McQueen stores delivered ‘very strong growth’ in 2016, and singled sarah out for praise.