The Public Have Voted… And Kate Middleton Is Awarded First Place For The Second Year In A Row

We love Kate Middleton for a multitude of reasons and now she’s been presented with an accolade voted by the public themselves, for the second time around.

The Duchess of Cambridge has been named top Beauty Icon of 2012.

The British royal took the title for the second year running in the poll, conducted by British high street chain Superdrug.

Duchess Catherine was the clear winner, taking 27 per cent of votes cast. Her sister, Pippa was last year's runner up, but only made it to fifth place in the 2012 poll.

In second place was The X Factor judge and singer Nicole Scherzinger, while Olympic gold medal winner Jessica Ennis came third.

Superdrug spokesperson Nicola Wing said: ''The choice for biggest beauty icon this year was vast, taking in famous names from all areas. The Kate Effect is alive and well.''

The 30-year-old Duchess, who is pregnant with her first child, recently celebrated Christmas with her husband, Prince William, who broke with royal tradition to spent it with her family in their hometown of Bucklebury, England.

William, 30, and Catherine had decided to spend the holiday in the comfort of her parents Michael and Carole's home as she has spent much of the past month battling severe morning sickness.

The top 10 Superdrug 2012 beauty icons:

1. Duchess Catherine

2. Nicole Scherzinger

3. Jessica Ennis

4. Holly Willoughby

5. Pippa Middleton

6. Cheryl Cole

7. Victoria Pendleton

8. Katherine Jenkins

9. Jessie J

10. Helen Flanagan