The British Royal Family is renowned for their impeccable fashion sense, and their outfit choices always attract significant attention. Recently, Princess Kate, 43, disclosed a heartwarming habit related to her children’s clothing.
During a visit to the Corgi textile factory in South Wales, Kate mentioned that she maintains an “archive” of her three children’s outgrown clothes – Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, nine, and Prince Louis, six.
As reported by People magazine, Kate revealed that she has kept items that “wore really well, stating: “It’s so lovely to reuse the things that are well made.”
Kate’s paternal family has ties to the textile industry, having previously owned a wool manufacturing business in Leeds called William Lupton and Co.
This visit to Corgi was not Kate’s first time learning about the UK’s textile industry. In 2023, she visited Lancaster and Leeds to delve deeper into the rich history of this sector, demonstrating her ongoing interest in the subject, reports the Mirror.
Princess Kate is known for her sustainable fashion choices, often seen recycling her high-end outfits during Royal engagements, much to the delight of eagle-eyed Royal enthusiasts. But her dedication to eco-friendly practices extends beyond her own wardrobe.
Kate’s younger brother, James Middleton, aged 37, disclosed an endearing family gesture in his memoir ‘Meet Ella: The Dog Who Saved My Life’ revealing that both Kate and their sister Pippa, 41, generously passed down a treasure trove of children’s clothes for his first-born, Inigo, one. “Catherine and Pippa bring two big suitcases of hand-me-down clothes, so Inigo’s cupboards are full of sweet little outfits his cousins – even the girls – have worn,” James shared.
Prince William and Princess Kate, however, are not alone in their affinity for classic styles; Princess Anne is also regularly spotted making the most out of pieces that she has had for decades.
Fashion coordination is prevalent within the Wales family, particularly noticeable when they step out for major Royal events. Fashion expert Amber Graafland, talking to Fabulous magazine, uncovered the strategy behind this approach.
“By complementing each other, and sticking to a colour theme, they are showcasing a united front. It’s a technique Prince William and Princess Kate use to show [how] in tune they are when they attend official engagements together, and they also deploy it with their children,” she explained.
“Adept at using their clothing to convey coded message, the Waleses know that by presenting a refined and harmonious image they convey a close-knit family with a strong bond. It also makes them instantly recognisable on the world stage.”
The Royal Family’s fashion choices, particularly at high-profile events like King Charles’s coronation, inevitably become part of history. However, Princess Kate reportedly feels frustrated that attention often centres on her outfits rather than her Royal duties.
A source from Kensington Palace has been quoted as saying: “There is an absolute feeling that it is not about what the princess is wearing. She wants the focus to be on the really important issues, the people and the causes she is spotlighting. There will always be an appreciation of what the princess is wearing from some of the public and she gets that.
“But do we need to be officially always saying what she is wearing? No. The style is there but it’s about the substance.”