Duchess Catherine

Duchess Catherine

Britain's Duchess of Cambridge has reportedly hired a new stylist.

The 32-year-old royal - who is also known as Kate Middleton - is said to have been taking fashion advice from Natasha Archer, a personal assistant at Kensington Palace.

The 27-year-old PA - known to Duchess Catherine as "Tash" - is reported to have been helping her royal client to experiment with some sophisticated new looks, steering her towards designers including Alice Temperley and Jenny Packham.

A source told Vanity Fair magazine: "Initially Kate was reluctant as a fashion icon, but now she enjoys it. Tash helps source some of the clothes. She shops a lot for Kate online, and calls in hundreds of dresses for Kate to try on."

And despite Catherine - who has 13-month-old son Prince George with husband Prince William - being pregnant with their second child, Natasha is said to be pushing her to be more adventurous than ever with her wardrobe.

The source added: "She has persuaded Kate to take some more risks. The hemlines are shorter and Kate's really pushing the boat out in the fashion stakes."