7 times Kate Middleton had outfits altered to fit her royal wardrobe

For a reception at Kensington Palace in 2016, Middleton wore a high-collared Mary Illusion Dot Dress by the Indian designer Saloni. The duchess had a nude panel of fabric added to the sheer bodice and the open back closed up for a more reserved look.

The Duchess of Cambridge turned heads when she arrived at the 2017 BAFTAs in a tiered, off-the-shoulder Alexander McQueen gown. Two years later, Middleton attended the 2019 Portrait Gala wearing the same dress. However, she added cap sleeves to the gown to make it look brand-new.

For a visit to the Family Action Charity in January 2019, Middleton wore an olive-green Beulah London midi dress that originally featured fluted sleeves. She had the sleeves removed and added a belt, which elevated the look.

"It looks as though she's taken off all the frills and made it a lot more conservative and a lot more modest," Susie Hasler, a stylist based in the UK, told Insider. "I think we are seeing an evolution of her style from a duchess into Queen-in-waiting."

While arriving for Christmas lunch at Buckingham Palace, the duchess was photographed wearing this tartan dress. She put her own twist on it by having the sheer sleeves removed in favor of a solid fabric to match the rest of the design.

"In this picture, she's out with her family for the day so she's chosen something very conservative," Hasler said. "She always seems to favor those high necklines, which really work for her."

According to "HRH: So Many Thoughts on Royal Style" by Elizabeth Holmes, the dress Middleton wore to a 2011 BAFTA reception in California was altered to be more modest. The Duchess of Cambridge also had the custom dress made in a lilac color.

Middleton wore the original design in 2012 to an official dinner hosted by Malaysia's Head of State. The royal pulled it out of her closet again for the 2020 BAFTAs but had it changed to include a layer of fabric on the sleeves so that they would no longer be sheer.

"With this particular dress, it appears she adapted the sleeves to flatter her figure, adding a lining and shoulder pads to create a more structured look," McGrath said. "This means the dress frames her face better and enhances her posture."

The Duchess of Cambridge stunned in an off-the-shoulder, floor-length dress Roland Mouret gown. It appears that Middleton had the long gold zipper removed and the sheer mesh panels in the back covered.

She paired the altered gown with Prada heels and an Alexander McQueen clutch.