Kate Middleton may be the world's best-known enigma. Instantly recognizable from her nine-year relationship and recent engagement to Britain's Prince William, and the subject of endless gossip, she says almost nothing in public and has mastered a Cheshire smile that masks her private thoughts.

But one of the few who has been close to her is royal photographer Chris Jackson, who has been with the princess-to-be at iconic moments, including her November engagement. He spoke to StyleList about the transformation in Middleton that he has witnessed firsthand.

"Kate was shy and nervous at the first public appearance during the announcement of the royal engagement," Jackson said. "Since then, the coaching and advice has paid off. When the couple stepped out into the limelight in North Wales during Kate's first official appearance, she exuded a newfound confidence. Kate looked stunning and she was ready to make great pictures."

"She seamlessly held conversations while occasionally looking towards the photographers and flashing a smile. This is exactly what we need to take a great picture. Kate's willingness to give media the opportunity to take some candid shots is rare in the royal family and a breath of fresh air," he said.

"She seemed at ease with the public -- chatting away, shaking hands almost for too long. There were even a few times William would be ahead of her, eager to move on. The couple would share knowing smiles and intimate glances. Something you just can't fake, and I think people really respond to their obvious adoration of each other."

As a man who makes a living selling pictures, Jackson is of course well aware of Middleton's role as a freshly minted fashion icon. "She has this amazing style ... (and) I think it's a difficult line to tread," he said. "You have to wear the appropriate clothing. She is royal and she can't wear anything too outrageous. She can't show too much cleavage or have too short a skirt, and developing her style within those constraints must be quite different."

Jackson remarked that at the couple's engagement announcement in November last year, "It was the first time that a lot of people had heard her voice. Everyone said it was quite weird, because you've just seen all these pictures of this woman and you've never heard her say anything, and that was a bit of a shock. People, myself included, thought she would sound somehow different or 'special.' In actuality, she sounded just like any of my friends. Her voice wavered slightly with nerves and her accent was apparent but not over the top. Interestingly enough, Kate hasn't spoken in public since then."

The wedding of the year is scheduled to take place April 29, and Jackson will be there.

"Everyone's really excited about it," he said. "Obviously it's been a really exciting month and the buildup. For the actual wedding, I'll be just outside the front of Westminster Abbey, so I'll get to see them when they arrive and when they come out as a married couple. I sort of thought that's a pretty good spot. It's really important to get nice full-length pictures of Kate and William as they come out of the chapel."

But Jackson's assignment won't end once the wedding cake is cut. For a small army of journalists just like him, the future princess and queen will be a lifetime assignment.

"I think it is great, as Kate is an injection of glamour and excitement to the job," he said. "She has focused the world's attention on the U.K. royal family, making them the headline story. For any photographer, this is a huge buzz. We have at least a year of 'Kate firsts' to look forward to as she is welcomed into the life of a full-time royal: her first state dinner, the tiara shot. Further into the future, we have pregnancies and babies. The royal story is really an exciting place to be at the moment, and this is all due to Kate."

Michelle Williams' co-star Zoe Kazan revealed some unique wardrobe benefits enjoyed by the female cast of "Meek's Cutoff," at a screening Monday night in New York hosted by the Cinema Society and accessories designer Nancy Gonzalez.

Kazan explained her favorite features about their 1845-style dresses with full skirts: "You can wear no underpants and just squat and pee and that's really useful. You can do it in public and no one will see you. You go out into the fields and cop a squat under your skirt. It's true that's what the pioneer women used to do."

Williams confirmed to StyleList that she also went commando during filming in the Oregon desert. "It's true. That's one of the things I missed about those dresses."

The actress detailed why she enjoyed her atypical bathroom breaks. "Well because it's something that's a luxury that only ever afforded to a man so I relished in that for a moment."

Williams' period costumes were historically accurate because the sewing machine hadn't been invented in 1845. She pointed out, "Every costume in the movie was sewn by hand completely."

The narrow bonnets and long hemlines were initially quite challenging. Williams said, "At first very strange, and it felt like an ordeal to learn how to move in them and move in them comfortably but after a while, both Zoe and I came to miss them."

Would the 30-year-old consider incorporating pioneer style into her current wardrobe? "We talked about it once the movie was over -- if we could bring back prairie skirts or rock a bonnet. But so far, I haven't seen either of us doing that."

Williams, clad in a decidedly more modern Chanel shift dress, revealed, "I've never worn a sequined sleeve before." She accessorized with a large cocktail ring from the same design house and explained what she adored about the French brand, "It's effortless." Understated Ferragamo pumps completed the sleek European look.

The pixie-haired beauty explained her instinctive red-carpet philosophy: "Don't you kind of know immediately when you put something on whether or not you feel good? That's all I really go by."

Guests enjoyed an after-party at Jimmy at the nearby James Hotel, lubricated by Appleton Estate cocktails.

"Monogamy" star Rashida Jones pointed out how her curled and blunt bangs cover her brow. "I have a fivehead under there, it's kind of my thing," she joked to StyleList about having an extra-large forehead, at the film's Gotham Magazine screening with Singer 22 at the IFC Center in New York.

Jones may have attempted other styles, but has basically worn her hair the same way for 30 years. "Every time I pretend that I'm going to grow my bangs, I just can't. I've had bangs since I was 5. That's just kind of the way my face wants it to happen."

The 35-year-old played a New Yorker in her latest film and described her character's relaxed style to StyleList, "It's kind of like Brooklyn. I didn't do a lot to get ready but I still look pretty cool."

Jones snagged an article of clothing from the set and described why it was her favorite piece: "I actually took this really oversized denim shirt at the end of the movie. It is effortless Brooklyn style."

The fashionable actress -- who wore an Batik-print floral cotton Thakoon dress, Robert Clergerie for Opening Ceremony shoes, an Erickson Beamon bracelet and Monique Pean earrings -- explained why she prefers the freedom of Manhattan.

"You can take more chances in New York," she said. "It's hard to wear what I want to wear in L.A. and feel comfortable out and about because it doesn't feel as much like style thrives."

Catherine Deneuve is one of the most stylish and celebrated beauties of European cinema, and had a long and complex relationship with Yves Saint Laurent. But, unlike a lot of people, she tells us she doesn't consider herself to have been an inspiration for the great designer.

"Muse -- I don't know if it's really the word, but I've been involved with him for a very long time," she told StyleList at Rendez-Vous with French Cinema Opening Night at the Paris Theater in New York.

Although she is widely regarded as a fashion icon, Deneuve said that her lack of sartorial interest was due to her preoccupation with her career. "Style -- I don't know because I'm an actress so it's not the thing I'm really involved with," she told us.

Nonetheless, Deneuve appreciated the luxury of being outfitted by one of the greatest fashion designers of all time. "I've been dressed for a long time by Yves Saint Laurent and I was lucky enough to know him," she said. The actress was clad in the designer's pencil skirt and pumps and paired the outfit with a black Prada top and turquoise Balenciaga clutch.

No-nonsense Deneuve told StyleList that she doesn't give any thought to how her personal style has evolved over the years. "How should I know? I don't dress for style or anything. I dress to be dressed."

In contrast to her personal apathy to fashion, the committed actress spent a great deal of time costuming herself for her film "Potiche," a comedy of female-empowerment set in France in 1977, co-starring Gérard Depardieu.

"It was very long to prepare the film because (there were) a lot of clothes, a lot of fittings," she said of the funky period fashion. On film she transforms from an easily dismissed housewife to more formal power woman and her hair and clothing reflect the dramatic changes.

"I think she seems to be more shy but you can see she's sort of emancipated. She starts having her hair longer, smoother and also wearing real suits instead of little wool jackets or things like that. She sort of takes a little more interest."

The quirky retro wardrobe even managed to amuse Deneuve, "It was quite funny, you know very 70's."

Check out the actress's history as a style icon -- albeit a reluctant one -- in our Catherine Deneuve Style Evolution.

"I'm very selfish when it comes to the husband subject, I would not share," Adriana Lima joked with StyleList about her hunky hubby, former NBA star Marko Jaric, at a Victoria's Secret Incredible bra event and perfume launch in New York.

Lima roared with laughter at the prospect of a fragrance inspired by her spouse's skin. "It's just for me! That one I would keep only for myself and would not give that to every woman in the world. I'm sorry."

The 29-year-old was far more generous with the new Incredible scent collection. "The fragrance was inspired by the bra, which is all about comfort and feeling sexy and also inspired by the fabric, which is very smooth so this fragrance is a fruity, floral fragrance."

She said, "It has notes of sandalwood, pear and magnolia. It's perfect for the spring and summer, it's very subtle. It's for when you want to feel sexy and elegant and the bottle is very curvaceous."

Two new Incredible bra styles also made their debuts, the front-close multiway and the front-close push-up. The bombshell raved about the later item: "I'm wearing it right now. I feel comfortable like I have nothing on, seriously. The push-up bra for me is really important."

She described additional features of the bra: "You don't feel squeezed in there. It closes in the front so you can put it on easily and you don't have to worry about adjusting straps, it follows your body curves."

The Victoria's Secret model makes a habit of sporting a specific item of lingerie during the evening. "Usually at night, I always like to wear a push-up because that is when you prepare for your hubby. I like to be sexy and comfortable."

If Lima ever decides to bottle the odor of her professional basketball player, there will be at least one very enthusiastic fan. "Let me tell you, all about my husband is sexy, everything about him: his hair, his fingertips, his lips. But I love his skin definitely. I'm still in love and I will be forever."

Meanwhile, check out these Victoria's Secret Models turned actors.