'She's not offering excitement': Diana's personal designer blasts Kate's 'disappointing' fashion credentials, but he still wants to dress her

  • Paul Costelloe, 71, was Diana's personal designer from 1982
  • Outspoken Irishman said he was disappointed with Kate's Vogue cover
  • Says she doesn't have the 'unpredictability' of late Princess Diana
  • Added that she's 'obedient' and the perfect daughter-in-law 

Her personal style is so admired that she has the ability to create a shopping frenzy as soon as she steps out in a new outfit. 

But Princess Diana's personal designer Paul Costelloe, 71, has admitted that he doesn't get the hype surrounding the Duchess of Cambridge. 

The outspoken Irishman, 71, blasted Kate's Vogue shoot in an interview with the Irish Independent, saying he felt very 'disappointed' as it didn't measure up to Diana's covers for the magazine. 

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Diana's personal designer Paul Costelloe has revealed he was disappointed with Kate's Vogue cover and said she is just not as exciting as the late Princess

Stay warm like a Duchess in a checked coat this winter

It's been a busy few days for the Duchess of Cambridge. She kicked off the week with a ride on the London Eye, then she took a trip to the Netherlands for her first solo engagement overseas, and now she's in Manchester in the North of England.

But more appearances can only be a good thing for those of us who are dedicated fans of the Duchess' style. Following on from the floral Kate Spade dress and cornflower blue suit by Catherine Walker, today's outfit is another new addition to her wardrobe.

Her coat is by one of her favorite labels, Erdem, and we love the blue and pink check print. The nipped-in waist and longer length is super flattering, and when teamed with navy court heels, it's a very sophisticated look.

Unfortunately this Resort 2016 collection coat isn't available to buy but click (right) to shop the current collection at Net-a-Porter.

Or let our edit below assist you in your annual search for the perfect winter warmer. From Topshop to Miu Miu, we've got all budgets covered, but check out (no pun intended!) our favorite options at River Island.

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Diana arriving at The Institute For The Study Of Drug Dependence in June 1993 wearing a polka dot dress and cream jacket by Paul Costelloe 

'Kate's not as individual as Princess Diana. She's not offering the excitement, unexpectedness and vulnerability that Princess Diana did,' he said. 

'She's filling the perfect daughter-in-law role. She's very obedient.'

The designer suggested that it might be due to a difference in backgrounds.

Father-of-seven Paul Costello, pictured after presenting his collection at London Fashion Week in September 2016, was Diana's personal designer from 1982 

'Diana's mother was an aristocrat while Kate's was an air hostess,' he said.

But he had words of praise for Princess Charlotte and Princess George saying they were 'gorgeous' and almost 'too perfect'. 

And he said that he would still like to dress Kate, despite her not measuring up to Diana.  

Paul Costelloe, a father-of-seven, was Diana's personal designer from 1982 to her death in 1997. 

Princess Diana wearing a pink suit designed by Paul Costelloe during a royal tour of Canada in 1991

Kate wears a green coat by high street retailer Hobbs at Whitehorse Airport, Canada during last month's royal tour 

Zara Phillips wore a silver coat dress by Paul Costelloe to William and Kate's wedding in 2011

He still works with members of the royal family such as Princess Ann and Zara Tindall, and designed the silver coat dress the latter wore to William and Kate's wedding.  

It's unlikely that Kate will be perturbed by his comments, as she's said to want to actively avoid becoming a fashion icon like Diana.

Indeed, on today's Lorraine show Vogue editor Alexandra Shulman revealed that the Duchess was determined to be dressed down when she posed for the magazine. 

When asked why Kate had been shot in a relaxed country setting in casual clothes, she replied: 'I think it was very much her feeling that she wanted to be what she felt she was comfortable with being. 

She is not a clothes horse. The idea that she is a kind of silent mannequin that just wants to put on expensive clothes is so not what she is. 

'And I think she wanted this cover to reflect that.'      

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