Kate Middleton Helps Boost McQueen Profits by 27%

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 SykesEuropean Editor at Large

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