As the Princess of Wales celebrates her 43rd birthday, she remains firmly regarded as one of the best-dressed women in the world - a testament to her enduring style legacy.
Over the years, her unmatched elegance and masterful power dressing have offered royal fans a wealth of inspiration.
Yet possibly the most endearing aspect of Kate's sartorial journey is its humble beginnings; long before her iconic royal wardrobe and her enduring love story with Prince William, she was nothing more than a regular university student at St Andrews.
As a twenty-something Kate navigated university life with bouncy curtain bangs, rocking low-slung jeans, tank tops and ultra-thin scarves, charming Britain's future king likely wasn't top of her agenda - but it worked.
In light of the royal's 43rd birthday, HELLO! takes a deep dive into the archives of the Princess of Wales' pre-royal wardrobe.
© Clarke/Daily Mail/ShutterstockThe Princess of Wales' famous runway dress
A young Kate famously caught Prince William's eye when she rocked a sheer mini dress on the runway of a charity fashion show at St. Andrews University back in 2002.
Prince William reportedly paid £200 for a front-row seat and is said to have turned to his friend and whispered, "Wow, Kate's hot!" when it was her turn to walk the runway at St. Andrews Bay Hotel.
© GettyKate's cowgirl hat
Shortly after their graduation from the prestigious university, the Princess joined her then-boyfriend Prince William at the Festival of British Eventing at Gatcombe Park.
Keeping it simple, the brunette beauty rocked a cowgirl hat and suede brown jacket for the summer soiree.
© Max Mumby/IndigoA disco queen
Rewind to 2004, where Kate sported this glitzy look to attend the Day-Glo Midnight Roller Disco charity event during her time at St Andrews.
Kate's disco-pop ensemble might raise some eyebrows if she wore it now, but the royal's neon hotpants and emerald green halter neck top was likely to be a seriously head-turning look back in the noughties.
© Photo: Getty ImagesThe Princess of Wales rocks a mini skirt
The Princess of Wales looked effortlessly cool rocking the country girl aesthetic in a white mini skirt and brown knee-high boots.
© Photo: Getty ImagesCool Kate Middleton rocks low-rise jeans
Cool and casual Kate was photographed just before her graduation at St Andrews rocking low-rise jeans and a spaghetti strap top.
The radiant royal teased her glossy brunette tresses into a claw clip - a 90s hair trend that has made a major comeback in recent years.
