Kate Middleton Helps Boost McQueen Profits by 27%

by Tom Sykes Oct 5, 2012 8:04 AM EDT

PRINCE WILLIAM AND CATHERINE DUCHESS OF CAMBRIDGE — Kate in McQueen in LA (Matt Baron / Getty Images)

Now that's what we call a Kate effect - the Duchess's endorsement is being cited as a factor in boosting the profits of Orla Kiely by 20 percent and Alexander McQueen by a whopping 27 percent.

McQueen made a profit of £5 million on sales of £41 million during the last year, and it's thought Kate Middleton is at least partly responsible.

Not only did Kate wear a stunning Sarah Burton-designed Alexander McQueen gown for her wedding, but she has also worn McQueen on numerous other formal occasions, including on her trip to LA last year.

Designer Orla Kiely's business also received a boost from Kate after she wore one of her designer dress coats. The brown, dove-patterned garment sold out within minutes of Kate's public appearance last February after "an absolute frenzy" on the Orla Kiely website.

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Tom Sykes is a writer and journalist, and he edits The Royalist blog for the Daily Beast. Tom has worked for many publications, including a stint as a nightlife reporter and gossip columnist for the New York Post. He has written several books, most recently helping John Taylor of Duran Duran write and edit his autobiography, published by Dutton. Tom lives in London and Ireland.

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About the Author

Tom Sykes

THE ROYALIST, updated several times daily, reports on all aspects of the British Royal Family. With breaking news and the latest gossip, great pictures and informed commentary, the Royalist is essential eyeballing for fans of the world’s most famous family.