CHIZMAXX: Kate Middleton 'Confident' of doing own make-up!

Photo by FHM

Most brides would jump at the chance to get a professional makeup job on their wedding day – great to be pampered, even better for official photographs. Not Kate Middleton.

The royal-in-training will eschew the services when she marries Prince William Friday morning, opting to do it herself after a series of private lessons with London makeup artist Arabella Preston, wedding planner Mark Niemierko tells People.

"I heard that Arabella Preston was called in by a mutual friend of hers and Kate's," he says. "She's had about three or four lessons with Kate at her private flat in Chelsea and has also gone, very privately to Clarence House. Arabella was suppose to be coming on the day as well but now she isn't, because Kate's comfortable and confident in doing it herself."

Niemierko puts this down to Kate's "informal character" and simply wanting to "keep some normality" in her life.  But he advises caution:  "From my experience brides should look like a glamorous version of themselves on their wedding day. If you have your hair up normally, have your hair up. But, having said that, even if you're going for a natural, no makeup look, you need quite a lot of product – especially for the photos." 

It's not the first time Kate has done her own makeup.  She was reportedly unhappy with the professional makeup applied for the official engagement shots, taken by Mario Testino, and wiped it off before reapplying it herself.    

The practice will also come in handy for the future. Says Niemierko, "The royals obviously do their own makeup for royal engagements. Part of the whole protocol of learning to be royal is learning how to do your own makeup!"  

Liz Corcoran/ People