The portrayal of Kate Middleton in the final season of “The Crown” has sparked a debate among royal experts. While the show’s costume designers aimed to recreate some of her iconic looks from the early 2000s, opinions differ on whether her on-screen ensembles truly captured the essence of the now-Princess of Wales.
According to royal expert Christine Ross, the TV version of Catherine Middleton felt “almost too polished.” She argues that the show presents a sexy image of Kate, whereas historical photos show a young woman who exuded confidence and enjoyed having fun with her friends during her university days. Ross questions whether the costume department accurately captured Kate’s casual style and demeanor during that time.
One particular outfit that played a significant role in the love story between Kate and Prince William was a see-through black skirt she wore as a dress during a student fashion show. In “The Crown,” Meg Bellamy, the actress who portrays Kate Middleton, struts the catwalk in a recreated version of the iconic dress. Some experts, like Christine Ross, believe that the TV version fails to capture Kate’s authentic style from that period.
The show also features recreations of other pieces worn by the now Princess of Wales. For example, Bellamy dons the brown Penelope Chilvers Long Tassel riding boots, which Kate still wears nearly 20 years later. Penelope Chilvers, the designer of the boots, expresses admiration for Kate as a loyal customer and brand ambassador. Chilvers praises Kate for her choice to promote sustainability by continuing to wear the same boots over the years.
“The Crown’s” costume designers took meticulous care to include exact pieces in Middleton’s on-screen wardrobe. They even scoured the internet to find Y2K items secondhand. Sidonie Roberts, one of the costume designers, admits to having found original items Kate was seen wearing by searching on eBay. However, some critics, such as Christine Ross, wonder why the costume department fell short when it came to capturing some of Kate’s other youthful styles. Given that many of her outfits are easily sourced secondhand, it raises questions about the choices made in creating her wardrobe for the show.
While Christine Ross questions the accuracy of the show’s portrayal, Kinsey Schofield, founder of To Di For Daily, offers a different perspective. Schofield commends “The Crown” for accurately reflecting Catherine Middleton’s early style, which was significant for the storyline in season 6. She praises the portrayal of Kate as a modest, sporty girl with effortless hair and makeup, which made her relatable to the general public during that time. From Schofield’s viewpoint, the costume department and the actress, Meg Bellamy, excellently executed Kate Middleton’s fashion evolution.
Kinsey Schofield also notes the similarities between Kate Middleton’s style and that of her mother, Carole Middleton, on the show. This parallels their real-life fashion choices. It is evident that Carole’s influence on Kate’s style was accurately reflected in “The Crown.” The show highlights the close relationship and shared fashion sensibilities between the mother and daughter.
While the debate continues among royal experts, one thing is certain: “The Crown” provides viewers with a delightful dose of early 2000s royal nostalgia. The show, with its careful attention to detail, iconic recreations, and nods to historical fashion moments, immerses audiences in the fashion evolution of Kate Middleton. Whether the portrayal fully captures Kate’s essence during that time is a matter of personal interpretation and opinion. In the end, the allure of the fashion and the glimpse into the life of the future Princess of Wales is undeniably captivating.
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