Happy birthday, Kate Middleton! The Duchess of Cambridge might have given birth to George midway through 2013, but it doesn’t look like she let pregnancy or motherhood slow her down this past year. Kate still seemed to find time to juggle charity commitments and public appearances while looking fabulous.
In honor of Kate’s birthday, we give you 22 of her best fashion moments from 2013. Make sure to check out part 2, and don’t miss the talented fashion bloggers who had their own Kate Middleton moments.
1. Green Coat Dress
The Duchess of Cambridge at a national celebration for scouts in Windsor, United Kingdom, on April 21, 2013.
It looks like Kate truly understands the phrase “dress for the occasion.” Kate donned a green coat-and-skirt combo with a brown headpiece as she graced the national scouts celebration at Windsor. She matched the scouts and totally nailed the look.
2. Baby-Bump-Revealing Floral Dress
Kate Middleton visiting The Willows Primary School to launch a new school counseling program in Manchester, England, on April 23, 2013.
Ah, the day Kate Middleton put on her blue suede shoes. No leather jackets and hair grease here, though, as the Duchess paired hers with a baby-bump-revealing floral dress. We think Elvis would still agree that Kate looked absolutely chic.
3. Silver Maternity Dress
Kate Middleton arriving at the The Art Room for a royal reception held at the National Portrait Gallery in London, England, on April 24, 2013.
Mention a silver dress, gray suede shoes and silver eyeshadow, and Lady Gaga automatically comes to mind. Our beloved Duchess proved us wrong, however, as she still managed to look completely royal in this futuristic ensemble. Nope, definitely no Martians here, people.
4. ’50s-Inspired Polka-Dot Dress
The Duchess with Prince William at the inauguration of the Warner Brothers Studios in London, England, on April 26, 2013.
Kate showed us that royalty is not exempt from experimenting with vintage in this bombshell ’50s-inspired fun and flirty polka-dot dress. Let’s not forget that the Duchess was about 10 months pregnant here. She still looked absolutely and ridiculously gorgeous.
5. Tangerine Dress
Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, at the Naomi House Children’s Hospice in Hampshire, Winchester, England, on April 19, 2013.
Kate started venturing into her grandmother-in-law’s brightly colored palette, choosing a citrus hue for her outfit on her visit to the Naomi House Children’s Hospice.
6. Lemon Yellow Frock
Kate Middleton joining the Queen at the Royal Garden Party in London, England, on May 22, 2013.
After nailing tangerine, Kate quickly moved on to lemon yellow at the befitting Royal Garden Party. The Duchess made her sunny appearance sans Prince William, but was joined by the Queen, Prince Charles and Duchess Camilla.
7. Neutral Maternity Dress
The Duchess of Cambridge with brother-in-law Prince Harry at the 60th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation held at the Westminster Abbey in London, England, on June 4, 2013.
The Duchess toned down her colors and went back into the solace of her neutrals for the 60th anniversary of the Queen’s coronation. The blushing mother-to-be added a touch of lace at the hem of her dress to give it a little bit of character.
8. Fierce Leopard Dress
Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, at the naming ceremony for the ship Royal Princess in Southampton, England, on June 13, 2013.
The Duchess bounced back from her summery tones in a fierce leopard dress, which she managed to wear with an abundance of class. We initially thought that this weird sophistication surrounding the leopard dress was single-handedly the work of Kate’s black headpiece, but then we realized it was probably the magic of Kate Middleton being, well, Kate Middleton.
9. Blush Pink Ensemble
Duchess Catherine with husband Prince William at the Trooping the Colour 2013 for the Queen’s birthday parade ceremony at the Buckingham Palace in London, England, on June 15, 2013.
You can never be too old (or too royal) for pink. Kate looked every bit a woman embarking on the maternity road in a blush pink ensemble during the Queen’s birthday parade. Or perhaps it was her take on complementing her husband’s bright red uniform because, seriously, the two look like they have their own secret language.
10. Polka-Dot Dress
Kate Middleton laughing and looking on as ecstatic new father Prince William chats happily with members of the press at St. Mary’s Hospital in London, England, on June 23, 2013.
What would this list be without the now-iconic baby-blue dress Kate donned as she and Prince William showed Prince George to the world for the first time? Of course, this dress takes backseat to the smile and joy on her face in this photo.
11. Taking a Break
Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, at a Sportsaid Athlete Workshop at the Copper Box in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London, England, on October 18, 2013.
This wasn’t a formal occasion, but we definitely had to include it. Just three months after giving birth, Kate was working her teenage-like post-baby-body at the volleyball court during the Sportsaid Athlete Workshop. Did we mention that the Duchess was jumping and running after the ball in suede wedges?
See part 2 to see more of Kate Middleton’s best dress moments!
Credit: SIPA/Lia Toby/Daniel Deme/WENN