Kate Middleton's royal fashion years: The Duchess's most stylish dresses

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It is five years since Kate Middleton became the Duchess of Cambridge in a lavish spring wedding at Westminster Abbey. In that time, she has become not only an ambassador for Britain and a mother of two, but also a style icon.

In fact, even before she married Prince William, she was wowing fashion fans both at home and abroad with her elegant ensembles. The royal family has always had access to top-drawer designers, but what sets Kate apart is that her style is not only admired, but emulated.

The navy blue Issa dress she wore when she and William announced their engagement sold out within hours, "starting the trend of many Kate-fuelled runs on pieces", says Glamour – the so-called "Kate effect".

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Harper's Bazaar notes that when the Duchess wore a red and white gingham skirt suit by British label Eponine in March, the brand's website crashed as a result of legions of her fans logging on to find the outfit.

The key may lie in the perceived accessibility of the Duchess's style, which frequently includes off-the-rack items from high street chains such as Whistles and Reiss.

Whether appearing at a formal state dinner or spending time with her family, her outfits continue to create a stir among fashion aficionados.