Kate Middleton: 30 looks for the Duchess’s 30 years

A look back at the best outfits worn by Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge, in honor of her 30th birthday.

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The dress that started it all

It’s hard to picture the conservative princess we've come to love in this number now. But many credit this dress as being the start of it all. Kate wore the see-through lace dress by Charlotte Todd at the annual St. Andrew's University charity fashion show in 2002, and reportedly caught Will's attention. The dress was sold for around $120,000 (78,000 pounds) at an auction last March.

Luke Macgregor / Reuters

The second dress

The navy blue Issa dress Kate wore to announce her engagement to Prince William at St. James Palace may forever symbolize the duchess's low-key but impeccable style. For many across the world, it was the first time they saw the gorgeous, soon-to-be royal. And Kate surely made a good first impression.

Chris Jackson / Getty Images

Neutrals

Kate's first public appearance with Prince William following the engagement announcement was a stunning success. Kate's fascinator and neutral coat dress was perfect for the ceremony dedicating a new for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.

Phil Noble / AFP/Getty Images

Trench coat

Kate perfected the iconic British style by with a Burberry trench during a visit to Greenmount Agricultural College near Belfast, Northern Ireland, on March 8, 2011. The coat, like her blue Issa dress, sold out within hours of her appearance.

Paul Ellis / AFP/Getty Images

Tailored suit

A tailored Amanda Wakeley suit was a fitting choice for her last official outing with William before the big day.

Chris Jackson / Getty Images

The dress

The image of Catherine in her Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen gown next to new husband in his official military garb may be one of the most iconic photos of the decade.

Pascal Le Segretain / Getty Images

It’s hard to top one of the most talked-about dresses of the decade, but Kate's reception dress, also by Sarah Burton, was similarly stunning.

John Stillwell

The blue chiffon dress Catherine wore the day after her wedding wasn’t remarkable for its design, but rather the fact that it cost under $100 at Zara. Her love of High Street brands has made many appreciate her sartorial choices even more.

John Stillwell

The nude-colored Reiss dress Catherine wore to greet first lady Michelle Obama flew out of stores following the first meeting of the two fashion ambassadors at Buckingham Palace on May 24, 2011.

/ Getty Images

Catherine’s adorable fascinator looked great with the white chiffon Reiss dress and Joseph jacket she wore (with a slight tan) at the Epsom Derby at Epsom Downs racecourse on June 4, 2011.

Matthew Lloyd / Getty Images

The blush-colored Jenny Packham gown Catherine wore to the 10th annual ARK (Absolute Return for Kids) gala dinner at Kensington Palace in London June 9, 2011, created a stir in the fashion scene and was hailed as one of her best choices to date.

Toby Melville / Reuters

The black and white geometric dress Catherine wore to friends Sam Waley-Cohen and Annabel Ballin's wedding was a cute choice, and cemented one of her other admirable qualities: the ability to re-wear. She was photographed in the dress back in 2007.

Rex Features via AP / AP

Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, stand on the balcony of Buckingham Palace after the Trooping the Colour parade on June 11, 2011, in London. The ceremony is believed to have first been performed during the reign of King Charles II. In 1748, it was decided the parade would be used to mark the official birthday of the sovereign. More than 600 guardsmen and cavalry make up the parade, a celebration of the sovereign's official birthday, although the actual birthday of Queen Elizabeth II is April 21.

Dan Kitwood / Getty Images

A military inspired Alexander McQueen coat dress was a wise choice for the Irish Guards Medal Parade at the Victoria Barracks on June 25, 2011.

Chris Jackson / Getty Images

Catherine once again proved white looks amazing on her complexion with a three-tiered frock from Temperley London. The dress, which she wore to the Wimbledon tennis championships in London, June 27, 2011, sold out in 30 minutes.

Suzanne Plunkett / Reuters

Catherine left London for a tour of Canada and the U.S. in June in a navy Roland Mouret shift and Smyth blazer, and a Mulberry bag. She wore the blazer again later in the trip with a pair of skinny jeans.

WPA Pool / Getty Images

Catherine descended from the plane in a new, albeit still navy-colored, lace dress by Erdem later the same day.

Chris Jackson / Getty Images

For Canada Day in Ottawa, Catherine naturally wore a red fascinator complete with maple leaf. And in another instance of recycling, paired it with the cream Reiss dress she wore for her engagement photos.

Blair Gable / Reuters

Catherine changed to a bright purple Issa dress later for the evening Canada Day festivities. The color choice was a brilliant pop among the many neutrals the duchess brought for the trip.

Blair Gable / Reuters

The sailor-inspired knit dress by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen looked fantastic on Catherine as she visited Prince Edward Island on July 4, 2011.

/ Getty Images

Catherine's yellow silk crepe Jenny Packham blew a bit in the wind while she met Canadian military personnel upon their arriving in Calgary, Alberta, July 7, 2011, but was spot on for a gorgeous summer day.

/ Reuters

Catherine took a momentary departure from British labels to honor an American institution in the fashion business: Diane von Furstenburg. The bright-green belted dress looked fantastic during a private reception at the British consul general's residence in Los Angeles, Friday, July 8, 2011.

Chris Pizzello / AP

The hand-painted Jenny Packham dress Catherine wore during the Foundation Polo Challenge at the Santa Barbara Racquet and Polo Club in California, on July 9, 2011, was one of the most casually elegant styles during her extended, 30-outfit tour of North America.

/ Getty Images

Catherine once again conjures a flattering navy style with a matching Alexander McQueen skirt and blouse while visiting parts of London impacted by riots late last summer.

David Jones / AFP/Getty Images

Catherine stunned in a red Beulah London dress with Bishop sleeves at a fundraising gala organized by 100 Women in Hedge Funds at St. James's Palace on Oct. 13, 2011.

/ Theodore Wood

At her first solo appearance at a charity gala in October, Catherine looked ethereal in a Grecian-style dress by Amanda Wakeley.

/ Getty Images

Another charity event, and another fabulous grey dress. Catherine looked great in a one-shoulder Jenny Packham for a reception in aid of the National Memorial Arboretum Appeal at St James's Palace on Nov. 10, 2011.

/ Getty Images

Catherine channeled the late-Princess Diana in a black strapless velour dress by Alexander McQueen for a military awards ceremony, “A Night of Heroes,” at the Imperial War Museum in central London, Dec. 19, 2011.

/ Reuters

Catherine's aubergine coat and hat by milliner Jane Corbett looked flawless for her first official Christmas celebration with the royal family.

Chris Jackson / Getty Images

Catherine looked gorgeous celebrating her 30th birthday in a lace Alice Temperley gown for the U.K. premiere of the film “War Horse.”

/ Reuters

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