A Regal Reinvention: More poised, more stylish, more slender. The makeover that's transformed Kate

Polished to perfection, a very new Kate Middleton is emerging as her wedding day draws near.
During a royal walkabout in Darwen, Lancashire, on Monday, it seemed some serious work had gone on behind the scenes to transform the Home Counties girl into a credible Princess-in-waiting.
Noticeably — some say, worryingly — thinner, there is greater confidence in her bearing. Gone were the opaque tights and chunky boots of her student days, instead ‘grown-up’ court shoes, sheer tights and a rather more formal hemline are in favour.
Here, Julia Lawrence got the inside track from the experts on what ‘Team Kate’ has been up to.

HAIR

Kate has always been famed for her tumbling, natural locks, looked after by celebrity hair stylist Richard Ward, whose clients include the Countess of Wessex and Lisa Snowdon. But suddenly she has a slight look of Princess Anne, with her hair pulled back off her face. Etiquette expert Jean Broke-Smith says: ‘Kate is staying true to her original style, which is very loose and natural, but she is also very much aware that every camera and eye is on her — and an unfortunate photograph of her hair blowing in her face would simply not do.’

MAKE-UP

Kate famously, and bravely, is said to have refused all offers of help with her make-up for her wedding day, preferring to do it herself. She even turned down the services of a make-up artist for her official engagement photographs, taken by Mario Testino. Professional make-up artist Julia Bolino says: ‘I would say she still does her own make-up and good on her — it’s a charming, very English attitude, which can only endear people even more to her.
‘She has a lovely face and good skin and hasn’t changed her style much from her student says, with her dark eyes, lined in black and natural coloured lipstick to disguise her slightly thin lips. Her mother, Carole Middleton is a very polished woman and I would say she has been a big influence on Kate’s make-up style, which is very safe, very understated.’

TEETH

If there’s one thing our future Queen can be sure she’ll be doing a lot more of in future, it’s smiling — and she has invested in her teeth accordingly. She is said to have been receiving treatment from Harley Street specialist dentist Dr Didier Fillion since before her engagement. Dr Tif Qureshi, from the British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, says it looks as though Kate has been secretly wearing braces — either removable or invisible fixed ones — to improve the alignment of her teeth. Treatments cost up to £7,000 and usually last several months. ‘It looks as though she’s had some whitening treatment and tooth edge augmention to make her teeth all the correct length. Bleaching treatments cost typically between £300 and £600,’ says Dr Qureshi.

BODY

Like many brides-to-be, Kate has been shedding pounds in the run-up to her wedding. She was an athletic, but curvy, size ten when she first caught the Prince’s eye. But after dropping about two dress sizes, Kate’s frame now looks worryingly frail — her swept-up hair highlighting the fact her face is thinner and more sculpted.
On Sky TV, anchorwoman Kay Burley said: ‘I’m worried about Kate Middleton’s weight. I know the first glimpse of her in her wedding frock will be watched live by upwards of two billion people, but she seems to be vanishing before our eyes.
‘I appreciate that brides invariably lose inches in the run up to the big day, but Kate has to accept she’s now a role model for young girls everywhere who crave the ultimate happy ever after.’

CLOTHES

Skirt-suit: An awful lot of work went into choosing that 2007, navy blue Amanda Wakeley skirt suit yesterday. But, according to celebrity stylist Camilla Ridley Day, it was probably Kate’s own choice. A naturally conservative dresser, Kate is said to have chosen all her own outfits for official engagements so far and even chose her wedding dress without assistance.
‘Her style is definitely evolving,’ says Ridley Day. ‘She has come a long way from her Sloane Ranger days, characterised by knee-high, leather boots.
‘With her conservative skirt suit, she is dressing rather more formally, as befits a royal bride — but my concern is that she’s dressing like a woman ten years older.
‘The buttoned jacket will not reveal the slightest hint of cleavage when stooping to speak to a child — and she’s even wearing a black vest to ensure she doesn’t accidentally expose anything.’
TIGHTS
Opaque tights were always Kate’s style, but she has broken out a pack of sheer, flesh coloured tights, which Camilla says most girls her age would dread to be seen in.
‘In previous years, Kate was often photographed with bare legs, but as a Royal bride a more refined look is required,’ says Ridley Day.
SHOES
The shoes cost £95 from High Street retailers LK Bennett. ‘They are a little on the frumpy side,’ says Ridley Day, ‘She has gone for a chunky, retro heel that will not sink into grass and is more comfortable than a stiletto.’

BEHAVIOUR

Etiquette expert Jean Broke-Smith says the appearance of the ubiquitous clutch bag is a sign that Kate has been receiving some serious guidance for royal outings.
‘It’s used almost like a comfort blanket,’ she says. ‘It gives a lady something to do with her hands.
‘Kate is a gorgeous girl and like her late mother-in-law to-be Diana, has a very natural way with people. But her wave is still distinctly un-regal. I shouldn’t be surprised if her wave becomes more muted, transforming into a more subtle lifting of the hand, to acknowledge the crowd, but never having her fingers apart.’

BODY LANGUAGE

‘There is a definite change in the way Kate is carrying herself, which would imply instruction,’ says body language expert Judi James.
Gone is the spontaneous, natural confidence that endeared Kate to her future subjects, in its place a much more elegant poise.
‘She appears much more choreographed,’ says Judi. ‘Her head is now held very much higher and her shoulders have dropped, suggesting that she’s been told to stand straighter.’
But despite her outer calm, it would seem Kate, like her fiancée, is suffering from pre-wedding jitters.
‘Most noticeable is the protective “self touch”, either a hand held at her waist or the clutch bag held defensively before her, which is a classic sign she is feeling slightly uneasy. Equally, the way she tucks her elbows close to her body is another sign of anxiety,’ says Judi.
Like Diana before her, Judi says Kate has perfected a ‘self effacing laugh’ in which she leans back and holds her hands up to her chest, which is another classic ‘people pleaser’ and one used by President Clinton.
‘She is also quite practised at what is known as “intense listening” where she engages in eye contact with people and makes them feel like the most important person in the world.’
Judi has noticed that, despite his years of training, William showed many signs of nervousness and awkwardness during the visit on Monday.
‘His hands are clenched and he seems to have developed a habit of hand-ringing,’ says Judi. ‘Kate is almost acting like his stress shock absorber.’

source: (http://www.dailymail.co.uk)