10 hot stories, including Kate’s tourdrobe, The one where Jen breaks the internet and wet-weather dressing

The duchess was applauded for her seemingly effortless fashion diplomacy last week – but behind the scenes a ‘military style’ operation was underway, insiders tell

ON LAST WEEK’S royal tour to Pakistan, the Duchess of Cambridge showcased an elegant blend of British and Pakistani designers, ranging from classic pieces to sequinned gowns. For Kate, it was mission accomplished. While every engagement was planned meticulously – from meeting Prime Minister Imran Khan to visiting the retreating Chiatibo glacier – the thought process behind the ‘tourdrobe’ was equally extensive, requiring weeks of sourcing, tailoring and perfecting a diplomatic wardrobe that championed British designers while also celebrating her host country.

Kate arrived in Pakistan last Monday, wearing a blue Catherine Walker gown, inspired by a shalwar kameez, a traditional outfit in Pakistan. As the week progressed, she stepped out in a periwinkle blue kurta, made by Pakistani designer Maheen Khan, a glittering green Jenny Packham gown and a host of high-street accessories, including £23.99 New Look shoes.

For the trip, she had help from trusted assistant and stylist Natasha Archer, who has returned from maternity leave. Fashion writer and author of How To Dress Like A Princess Claudia Joseph believes Natasha was invaluable. ‘She helped Kate scour websites and magazines, ordered clothes, ironed the wardrobe and dragged her suitcase,’ she says.

Indeed, Natasha and her team were involved in every step of the styling process. Boutique owner Onita Prasada told Grazia that, in the run-up to the trip, Kate’s assistant visited her Chelsea-based store O’nitaa, which stocks Maheen Khan’s designs. ‘Her personal assistant came to the store and chose clothes,’ Onita says. ‘She took one [item] off the rack, and we had to make two or three of [it] for her, and the Duke as well.’

The designing process was ‘extensive’, she

adds. ‘I introduced [Kate’s team] to the designer, and there was an email chain. Links on colours and designs were sent to Kate, who chose what she wanted.’

The brief specified that the duchess wanted to look ‘graceful’ and ‘poised’. The fact that Princess Diana had visited Pakistan in the 1990s was also considered. Onita says Diana’s outfits, particularly her silhouettes, were kept in mind. ‘Kate is well aware that she is following in Diana’s footsteps,’ explains Claudia. ‘But this is a royal tour and so, just as Diana did, Kate will want to fly the flag for British designers, as well as pay homage.’

Kate was ‘keen on wearing greens and blues because they suit her’, Onita says, adding that bottle green was chosen because it’s the main colour in the Pakistani flag. ‘Blue was a favourite for the duke, too,’ she added, revealing she herself picked out an outfit for Prince William that was one of her ‘favourites’.

There was a lot of back-and-forth with Kate’s team. ‘My tailor went [to the Palace] to measure and sew and so forth. We turned it around very quickly, in almost 24 hours.’

The royals, she continues, were ‘very gracious. What a beautiful bunch of people

– it has been wonderful working with them,’ says Onita, adding that Pakistanbased Maheen was ‘honoured’ to design for the royal couple. Meanwhile, the global response to her brand has been unprecedented. ‘It’s beyond comprehension,’ says Onita. ‘It’s been a busy day. I haven’t put my phone down.’

As for Kate, she seems to be growing more comfortable in her fashion choices with every year that passes. As Claudia puts it, there’s been ‘a subtle transformation over the years’ to become ‘more fashionforward’. Last week proved it.