Kate Middleton Was Not Crowned Biggest Style Icon Because She’s Missing 1 Thing, Expert Says

Many people view the Princess of Wales (formerly known as Kate Middleton) as a fashion icon, but in a new poll conducted by Censuswide, Prince William’s wife did not make that list. However, Kate’s late mother-in-law topped it for the title of “Biggest Fashion Icon of All Time.”

After Princess Diana, David and Victoria Beckham took the second spot, followed by Jennifer Aniston in third. No. 4 went to Britney Spears, the late singer Prince was fifth, Oasis rocker Liam Gallagher was No. 6, Leonardo DiCaprio was seventh, while Kate Moss, Sarah Jessica Parker’s TV character Carrie Bradshaw, and Paris Hilton rounded out the list.

It was a surprise to some that Diana’s daughter-in-law did not make the list of style icons. Now, a fashion expert is offering a reason as to why that might be.

Lauren Bulla is a fashion journalist who has been featured in The Independent, New Wave Magazine, and several other publications. She recently became the Fashion Editor of Groupie Magazine. There, she provides in-depth, on-the-ground coverage of New York, Paris, London, Berlin, and Copenhagen fashion weeks.

Speaking on behalf of Zingo Bingo, Bulla compared the princesses’ styles and the trick Kate is missing that is the driving force behind why Diana’s style is still loved today.

Bulla told Showbiz Cheat Sheet, “There is a harkening back to many of Diana’s most iconic looks in Princess Kate’s personal wardrobe. Where instead of an outright copy, she rather nods to specific ensembles and accessories, continuing the legacy in a new light.

“Princess Diana played into the trends of the time, but simultaneously was always seemingly dressing for what was next to trend. Many of the styles she was known for are seen replicating themselves across the runways of today. This is even true of the way she styled her hair and wore her makeup.”

Bulla concluded, “All in all — Princess Diana remains a fashion icon all of these years later because her wardrobe was representative of something bigger than merely aesthetic ensembles to look at. Her style was a result of an ever-expanding desire to understand herself and her constituency through fashion, as well as use it as a way to showcase empowerment, connection, and bravery.”