Rumors of a royal makeover for Kate Middleton gained steam Tuesday night when the Duchess of Cambridge attended her first solo engagement of 2014 wearing a Jenny Packham dress and Queen Elizabeth's diamond-drop necklace.
Middleton went to the gala at the National Portrait Gallery in London with the
necklace from the Queen's collection that Vogue referred to as "show-stopping."
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"The stunning piece of jewelry was given to the Queen as a wedding gift from Nizam of Hyderbad, then King of the former Hyderabad state of India, and bolsters claims that Kate's overall wardrobe is being overhauled with the help of Her Majesty's most trusted staff member, her personal dresser, Angela Kelly," wrote Alexandra Macon of Vogue. "Kelly has served as the Queen's personal assistant and senior dresser since 1993."
Vogue stated that Kelly specializes in researching the venues of upcoming royal visits as well as foreign cultures and learning the significance of different colors to match each occasion.
"She's said to have been charged with making Kate's hemlines longer and looks more formal in order to emphasize the Duchess' status and avoid the possibility of any kind of wardrobe malfunction," Macon wrote. "Despite the stricter fashion direction, one thing's for sure: We're anxiously anticipating seeing the new look in all its royal glory on her upcoming tour of Australia this spring."
Though she doesn't do it often, it was not the first time Middleton showed off some of the Queen's bling. In December, she wore a diamond tiara known as the Lotus Flower Tiara that dates back to the 1920s. Palace insiders
confirmed to People magazine that the crown jewel was loaned by the queen.
Tuesday's gala was attended by actress Elizabeth Hurley, rock star Bryan Adams, "Harry Potter" actor Alan Rickman, and artist Grayson Perry,
according to the Huffington Post U.K.
Middleton gave a brief speech during the gala about the fundraiser.
"I just wanted to say how delighted I am to be here this evening to celebrate the fantastic work of the National Portrait Gallery," she said in her comments, wrote the Huffington Post. "The Gallery's achievements are exceptional. They hold the most extensive collection of portraits in the world, and their unique and brilliant exhibitions never fail to inspire us all."
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