As the clock ticks down to Canada's upcoming royal visit on June 30, rumours are swirling over one big question: What will the Duchess of Cambridge wear?
"From what we've been hearing, she could have 40 wardrobe changes during her visit. That's three wardrobe changes a day," said Alison McGill, the editor-in-chief of Weddingbells Magazine.
"There's enormous pressure on the Duchess to live up to her new status as a fashion icon. But she's taken to her new job with surprising authority," said McGill. While she will be travelling with a hairdresser as part of her entourage, according to a report out of the U.K., she is going without a lady-in-waiting, or a dresser.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper invited the couple to Canada after they announced their engagement last November.
The royal newlyweds will celebrate Canada Day in Ottawa.
Their nine-day tour will take them to the Northwest Territories, Alberta, Prince Edward Island and Quebec, where the couple will visit Montreal and Quebec City.
The world will be watching the leggy Duchess and any fashion trends she may inspire.
"I don't know if Kate's going to come to Canada and come right out of the gate with big, daring trends," FashionTelevision host Jeanne Beker told CTV.ca.
"She's definitely brought a return to ladylike dressing. But she can still have fun with fashion. That's what people adore about her," said Beker.
"Kate mixes everything. She can throw together high-end designers with stuff from London's High Street," she said.
"Once it was thought that you could only be chic if you wore high-end labels. You look at Kate and realize that thinking is so passé."
Will Duchess Catherine go Canadian?
That knack for pairing high-end with High Street was obvious in June, when the Duchess accompanied Prince William to the Trooping of the Colour in honour of Queen Elizabeth II's 85th birthday.
For that special occasion, Duchess Catherine wore a fitted Alexander McQueen coat.
She also attended a friend's wedding and a celebration for Prince Philip's 90th birthday.
"We think she wore a Zara dress underneath the McQueen coat to her friend's wedding," said McGill.
"But that's what she does. Catherine mixes things both high and low. That's what makes her so accessible to this generation."
At least one accessory favoured by the Duchess during should be spotted on her first North American visit.
"Catherine is becoming known for the L.K.Bennett espadrilles she wears," said McGill.
"We don't really see high-profile women wearing things like this. But that's what is so interesting about the Duchess. She stays true to herself and her High Street roots."
Fashion insiders are hoping that some Canadian labels may make their way into the Duchess' wardrobe.
"I'd love to see her wear something Canadian. I really hope she does," said Beker.
"We have so many talented designers in this country. It would be wonderful if the Duchess could inspire Canadians to look at their own local designers and support them in the way the she supports British designers," she said.
For daywear looks, Beker recommended Canadian designers such as Lida Baday or looks from boutiques such as Judith and Charles.
"These labels are very wearable and very on trend. They'd be perfect for this gorgeous 29-year-old," said Beker.
The Duchess' choice of eveningwear should also make big news during her trip.
Catherine made headlines earlier in June when she attended her first official fund-raising gala with Prince William.
The glamorous young royal wore a blush organza gown studded with diamonds by designer Jenny Packham.
"It was drop-dead gorgeous," said McGill.
"After Catherine wore that Packham dress the company's website crashed. I'd love to see her have that effect on Canadian designers like Wayne Clark or Romona Keveza. Their eveningwear would be great on her."
Daytime picks from Pink Tartan and Joeffer Caoc would also complement this new royal's taste for simple elegance.
"Wherever William and Catherine go, Canadians will connect with them in a way they haven't done in years with the royal family. But Catherine's the big story now," said McGill.
"She's a fashion icon that's here to stay."
