Maheen Khan interview (on Kate's Pakistan clothing):
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.'
And Kate turned to the award-winning designer, who has worked on the 1984 TV extravaganza Jewel in the Crown and musical The Phantom of the Opera, throughout the remainder of the five-day trip.
The royal teamed an emerald green tunic coat by British favourite Catherine Walker with a pair of slim-white trousers by Maheen when meeting Prime Minister Imran Khan.
And, for a visit to Lahore's famed Badshahi Mosque, she chose a teal silk chiffon kaftan, matching slim trousers and dupatta, embroidered with gold silk phulkari, or flower work, to resemble the hills of Northern Pakistan.
'You cannot begin to imagine my excitement,' Maheen explained. 'I had no idea when or if at all she would wear any of them, so it was nothing short of a suspense movie. I was like a kid in a candy store.
'You could not have moved me from the television with a roller coaster. The Duchess looked so gorgeous, relaxed and comfortable.
'The periwinkle blue had hit all the right spots. And the teal chiffon, with its soft flowing silhouette was so perfect for the mosque visit.'
Maheen began her career as a costume designer in 1972, working for a series of international theatrical and television productions including Sweeney Todd, Elizabeth and Elizabeth: The Golden Age.
She is the CEO of Pakistan's Fashion Week, where she shows her collections, and has also held a fashion show at Milan Fashion Week.
'When I started out 10 years ago, that's the one thing I said was my goal: that I was going to dress the royals,' she added.
'What gives me a lot of pride for my team is that my clothes fit her. My team was brilliant. I have a master-cutter who is uneducated, grew up dirt poor and unschooled in Lahore. He was very naughty and refused to go to school.
'His parents sent him to me to be apprenticed. I started teaching him out to stitch. He's a grandfather today and he's my head cutter. He's dyslexic to boot but he's absolutely brilliant. It's not always an education that gets you somewhere.'
Maheen said it was a 'dream come true' to make clothes for Kate and to meet her and Prince William at an intimate reception in Islamabad during their tour.
The designer was amongst a group of 50 people from the music, dance, fashion and art industries, invited to the party, hosted by British High Commissioner at the Pakistan Monument.
'It was all done very methodically,' she said. 'I was at table number three. We were introduced to them by one of the British High Commission officials.
We discussed the clothes, of course, how she loved them and how well they fitted.
'She said to me: "Thank you for the beautiful clothes." I was really chuffed because she moved towards me with a smile and said softly: "The trousers fit so well."
It was the biggest compliment she could give me because they are the hardest thing to make. It was such a lovely and genuine thing to say. "Thank you so much", I replied. "That's the nicest thing you could say".
She continued: 'It was like a dream come true. I've always had such a fascination with the Royal family – my youngest aunt stood all night in the rain to watch the Coronation.
'I was struck by what a beautiful couple they are. Such grace. It was just wonderful meeting them. They were friendly and normal. They made you feel comfortable.