Twitter user "biblio" took to the platform to explain how this might have come about: "It's deconstructed then they make a new bodice either out of spare or original material and attach to the original skirt. Very clever work from her seamstress and great way to save money and get more wear out of the dress."
Others speculated that the Duchess may have simply commissioned an almost identical version of the original dress from Alexander McQueen's Resort 2016 collection.
Another Twitter user noted that the fit looked slightly different: "There was also a distinction if you looked closely at the print on the bodice; while it is the same as that used in the BAFTA gown, it is placed differently from the way it sits on the original dress."
Another pointed out the same thing: "Quickly glancing, the flower placement across the bust doesn't appear to match on both.. anyone else agree?"
However, others believed the mismatched flowers went further than just the bodice.
"The top bodice piece above the thigh area must be one piece," one tweeted. "That's completely different but the below the lower sash matches up."
There's also a possibility the original gown was loaned from the designer, and Kate's stylist simply contacted the designer to borrow the dress, or a similar version again.
"I'm thinking two dresses were made for her and she selected the other one but decided she wanted to wear the other version now because she liked both," one Twitter user suggested.
Twitter user What Kate Wore added: "It also looks like the skirt could be different as well, which would mean this isn't a reworked gown, but a new piece."
Either way, we think Kate looked amazing in both gowns.
