Any woman with a high profile role will share Kate Middleton's wardrobe dilemma as she enters the third trimester of her pregnancy. One group of ladies are perhaps more keenly aware of the sartorial challenges involved in looking princess-perfect at this stage – her royal counterparts.So far the Duchess of Cambridge has coped well. Always smartly turned out, she even seems to have stepped up her style a notch in recent months. For the moment, with her bump still only small, A-line belted coats seem to have done the trick. Eagle-eyed observers have noted that the style leader has probably been having regular garments altered, moving buttons where fabric pulls or wearing coats from a few years ago when she had a slightly fuller figure.
If the Windsor wife does want any tips she need only look across the water to Princesses Marie and Mary of Denmark, who have six children between them and therefore plenty of experience at maternity fashion.One of Kate's standout looks was a teal coat by Malene Birger. The Copenhagen-based designer is one of Mary's favourites and the Danish Crown Princess has actually worn the very same outfit herself.
Princess Maxima of Netherlands, who is days away from being crowned Queen Consort, also ruled when it came to maternity style, favouring bright colours. Meanwhile, Sweden's future Queen, Victoria, refused to give up on fashion – or her beloved heels – when expecting her daughter Estelle in 2011. The summer weather meant she could wear pretty thigh-skimming dresses that showed off her blossoming figure too.