Old School Stylings: Kate Middleton at the Order of the Garter, 2008

Looking back one can see 2008 as the year that William really announced to the world his attentions in regards to Kate Middleton. The year after their 2007 split the couple were going strong and publicly declaring their on-again romance.

Not only was Catherine present when William received his RAF wings, but she also attended the Order of the Garter ceremony in 2008 at Windsor Castle during which Wills was inducted as a knight. Instead of flying solo, Kate arrived with Prince Harry and had a place among the senior royals including Camilla and Sophie, Duchess of Wessex.

For this highly important, highly visible official royal function Kate chose a slim and appropriate black skirt suit with subtle white polka dots. Miss. Middleton's chic accessories included a saucer-shaped hat bedecked with feathers, a black clutch, multi-strand pearl bracelet and what look to be her classic black Prada pumps.

During the ceremony Kate was spotted guffawing with Harry, who always seems to be able to make his future sister-in-law smile. We imagine that the ridiculous hat William was made to wear, floppy and replete with ostrich feathers, only hastened the jokes.

And this isn't the first time the polka dot suit made an appearance, either. Kate was papped sporting it at an event in Dublin in 2007 during her infamous break up with the Prince.

We're not loving these open-toed mumsy shoes.

But notice the hose. It appears that Kate's penchant

for nude tights did pre-date her royal title.

Old School Stylings: Kate Middleton at Peter Phillips' Wedding

via dailymail.co.uk

In the run up to the royal wedding we thought we'd take a look back at some of Kate Middleton's iconic looks through the years, in no particular order, really. Let us know if there are any great Kate outfits we miss! The first we'll touch on is the ensemble that Ms. Middleton sported at the wedding of Peter Phillips, first cousin of Prince William and the son of Princess Anne, to Canadian Autumn Kelly. The couple came under intense fire after they sold their wedding photos to Hello!, but what can you do.

Photos out of the pages of Hello!

We did think it was a bit weird that Wills skipped his cousin's nuptials in favour of attending a wedding with his ex-girlfriend, but, whatevs. I guess royals really are that much different than the rest of us. Kate looked fresh, chic and pretty in a fabulous pink satin double-breasted jacket worn over a black Issa dress that featured some slightly risque (for a future princess) sheer panelling. There's a better view of the dress itself in the third photo above. Kate accessorized with a black hat (we could have done without the funerary netting), pink satin shoes and a pink satin box clutch by Prada.

This is also the wedding where Princess Beatrice appeared in a multi-coloured McQueen dress that she topped off with a turquoise clutch and a butterfly fascinator.

The groom's sister, Zara Phillips, sported a strapless green Vera Wang gown just like the other attendants. Wang? Really? We could have sworn we have a few of these typical bridesmaids dresses in our closets. In that damn wedding green shade (you know the one...pretty but almost a non-colour). And what was with all the girls and those awful tan lines?

Peter Phillips and Autumn Kelly exiting St. George's Chapel.

The bride wore a pretty tiara loaned to her by the Princess Royal.

Otherwise we're kinda underwhelmed.