How Princess of Wales’ loyal PA and stylist Natasha Archer who’s been on hand during her hospital stay has been by her side for key milestones, from Lindo Wing appearances to royal tours

She’s worked closely with the Princess of Wales for over a decade – and yesterday, Natasha Archer was spotted leaving the hospital where the royal has spent the past two weeks recovering from surgery.

The Princess’ personal assistant and stylist was one of a trusted few who visited the royal during her stay at the London Clinic in Mayfair.

Earlier this week, Kensington Palace confirmed that the royal mother-of-three, 41, has returned home to Adelaide Cottage in Windsor, where she will continue her recovery from a planned abdominal procedure.

Mother-of-two Natasha – who is married to royal photographer Chris Jackson – has been by Kate’s side for some of her biggest life events of the past decade, from royal births to overseas tours.

Despite her high-profile job, the stylist, 36, has managed to stay mostly out of the spotlight – but still appears to be unwavering in her support of the Princess.

Here FEMAIL takes a look at Kate and Natasha’s close bond over the course of the Princess’ working life.

How Natasha became Kate’s stylist 

Natasha Archer first started working for the Royal Family in 2007 – after graduating from King’s College with a degree in Hispanic Studies.

She had attended the private boarding school Uppingham School in Leicestershire, where she obtained A-Levels in English, Spanish, Italian and Art.

The stylist, who lives in Barnes, London, got her first job as a personal assistant at Kensington Palace – working for Prince William and Prince Harry.

After Kate married into the Royal Family in 2011, Natasha – who also goes by the nickname ‘Tash’ – started reporting to the Duchess of Cambridge too. 

In 2014, she was promoted to the position of Kate’s personal stylist and was said to be the mastermind behind the Duchess’ wardrobe for the Cambridges’ successful tour of Australia.

According to Grazia, Natasha was brought in to make Kate’s wardrobe look more ‘regal’ as per the late Queen’s request. 

A source told the fashion magazine: ‘Natasha’s main role is as a PA, but over the last few months she has assisted Kate as a style adviser.

‘Natasha and Kate get on very well. She has always supported and advised Kate – and the Duchess loves Natasha’s style, so it seemed like an obvious appointment. Natasha has been helping Kate pick outfits for the [New Zealand and Australia] tour.’

At the time, it was reported that Natasha often shopped online for Kate’s wardrobe – particularly from ASOS and Topshop. 

During the tour, Natasha and Kate were seen happily enjoying an evening off from royal duties when they watched a rugby match with Prince William.

The two women – who were both dressed in grey – were pictured happily chatting during the match. 

Taking on Prince William’s ‘estate agent’ style 

As well as curating Kate’s wardrobe and helping with her diary, it was reported that Archer, a Jenny Packham devotee, was ordered to spruce up Prince William’s ‘estate agent’ style. 

For the tour of Canada, the then 29-year-old stylist – known to friends as Tash – added linen jackets, and sweaters from J Crew, Jaeger and Reiss, her favourite high street label. 

Natasha reportedly assured the Prince, then 34, that she was merely helping him to ‘edit’ and ‘freshen’ his wardrobe. 

For more formal occasions, William was given suits by Savile Row tailor Gieves & Hawkes, and never double-breasted – a style favoured by his father. 

At the time, it was reported that Natasha was responsible for getting rid of Prince William’s white Asics trainers – that he had worn for the best part of a decade.

A source said: ‘You won’t be seeing him in those again any time soon.’ 

Encouraged Kate out of her style comfort zone 

Following the success of the Australia tour, it has been reported that Natasha started encouraging Kate to experiment more with her wardrobe. 

In 2016, Natasha also joined Kate on her tour of Canada – and was responsible for some of her most glamorous looks from the trip, including a bright red Preen cocktail gown.

An insider previously told Vanity Fair: ‘Initially Kate was a reluctant 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.

‘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.”

In 2019, the mother-of-three was highly praised for her style during her historic royal tour to Pakistan along with her husband Prince William, but her ‘secret weapon’ stylist Natasha Archer had a large part to play.

It was Natasha who introduced Kate to much-loved Pakistani designer Maheen Khan after finding her designs at O’Nitaa, in London’s Chelsea Green, and getting in touch with the 74-year-old to create some custom-made pieces for the royal.

Speaking exclusively to FEMAIL, the designer said: ‘Natasha picked up a lot of outfits for approval, including the teal outfit before she went back and asked O’Nitaa for my contact details. 

‘Then Natasha approached me and asked if I had the teal in a smaller size. It was lucky that I had one in stock as I don’t believe in machine embroidery.’

Maheen, who has been described Coco Chanel of the East, was responsible for three of the duchess’s ensembles during the tour.

Maheen created a bespoke blue kurta and trousers, hand embroidered in white silk and pearls, for the duchess to wear when visiting Islamabad’s Model College.

‘It was quite simple as I was given a brief but allowed the freedom to create what I thought would be appropriate,’ she revealed.

‘They didn’t give me any firm directions – they gave me a brief and left it to me. I chose an existing graphic for the neckline embroidery.

‘I was very taken with her wedding dress: it was simple and beautiful. She has a long swan-like neck, like a ballerina. So, when they asked me to do a bespoke outfit, I instinctively created a neckline like her wedding dress.’

Bonded over motherhood? 

Natasha is such a trusted member of staff that she was one of a select few number of people who visited the Princess of Wales after she gave birth to her three children at the Lindo Wing in London.

In July 2013, the stylist was seen entering the hospital to give Kate the blue polka dot Jenny Peckham dress they had chosen for the public appearance.

A source told The Telegraph: ‘She was seen arriving at the Lindo Wing following the birth of Prince George with a hanger bag, presumably containing the blue and white polka dot Jenny Packham dress which Kate then wore to give the world its first glimpse of the future King a few hours later.’ 

What’s more, the two women both welcomed sons in 2018 – with Kate giving birth to Prince Louis in May and Natasha announcing the arrival of Theo in December. 

Kate and Natasha’s similar circles 

In 2017, Natasha married Chris Jackson – who is the royal photographer for Getty.

As part of his role, Natasha’s husband regularly accompanies the King and Queen and the Prince and Princess of Wales on official royal engagements.

After getting down on one knee in Cornwall in 2016, Jackson wrote on Instagram: ‘I’m definitely punching above my weight.’

He had been courting Tash since 2015 and adds of his proposal: ‘Apparently, it was a long time coming.’

The happy couple chose photographer Matt Porteous – who has ties to the Prince and Princess of Wales – to capture their special day.

The photographer has also captured several key occasions for the Prince and Princess of Wales over the years – including their Mother’s Day post last year and Prince George’s third birthday.

Royal Victorian Order

in December 2018, it was confirmed that Natasha Archer had been invited to become a member of the Royal Victoria Order. 

She was given the honour in recognition of her services to the Royal Family.

The Royal Victorian Order was established in 1896 by Queen Victoria and recognises distinguished personal service to members of the Royal Family. 

Natasha opted for a £250 polka dot midi dress by LK Bennett – a brand beloved by the Princess of Wales. 

Miss Archer accessorised the look with a statement knotted headband in a soft pink and drop earrings in the same delicate shade. 

Her husband, Chris Jackson, took the official photographs for Prince Charles’s 70th birthday.

Sharing a photograph of his wife and son on Twitter, Mr Jackson wrote: ‘Could not be more proud of these two!! Absolute legends – I think this may be the best photo I’ve ever taken!’

Other honours for Royal staff include a Royal Victoria Medal (RVM) for Austin David Clarke, the former head groom for Princes William and Harry.