MARRIED to the future heir of the throne, and living in a luxurious royal residence doesn't stop Kate Middleton from being thrifty.
The Princess of Wales, 41, has been snapped many times over the years shopping in bargain outlets, wearing high street labels, and putting her children in each other's hand-me-downs. She even chooses to do her own make-up for all public engagements, instead of hiring an artist.
While 'eco warriors' Meghan Markle and Prince Harry enjoy taking private jets, Kate and her brood are known to hop onboard a Flybe aeroplane when visiting Balmoral.
It’s not the first time Kate has shunned luxury travel – after reportedly turning down a first class airline ticket when she flew to the Caribbean in 2008.
She is also said to love a bargain, and any expensive items of clothing are reworn by her younger children.
1. Loves bargains from The Range
Forget getting Christmas presents at Harrods or in designer stores, the Duchess of Cambridge stunned shoppers in 2018 by popping into budget store The Range to buy festive gifts.
Kate, who was with Prince George and Princess Charlotte, mingled with crowds in cut-price outlet.
She bought trolley-loads of pictures, children’s books and artist materials then queued at the tills – to the amazement of those who spotted her.
2. Did her own wedding make-up
She may have access to the best make-up artists in the world, but for her highly-publicised wedding to Prince William in 2011, Kate had a rather frugal approach.
The Princess did her own make-up for the big day, which was watched by millions around the world.
She told aides that she “knows her own face” and looked simply breathtaking with the natural look she went for.
3. Uses budget airlines
Down-to-earth Kate and William travelled with the budget airline from Norwich International Airport to Aberdeen Airport to visit the late Queen.
The total cost for the family of five would have been just £365.
Footage shows Prince William struggling across the runway while holding four bags with his son George, six, and daughter Charlotte, four, in tow.
Stunned passengers also watched as Kate followed carrying one-year-old Louis, who appeared to be looking around the runway.
Although all the royals use private jets upon occasion, including Kate, she has been known to shun special treatment in the past when she is heading on holiday.
4. Makes packed lunches
All eyes were on the royals when the Cambridges and the Sussexes went to the polo in 2019 to watch Prince William and Prince Harry take part in a charity match.
Just like any other mum with hungry kids, Kate Middleton was seen handing round packed lunches to her excitable brood.
Princess Charlotte was seen tucking into some tasty snacks from inside a colourful lunchbox.
5. Likes the bargain rail at Bicester Village
Who doesn’t love a bargain find? Kate Middleton certainly does.
The Princess has been spotted visiting Bicester Village shopping outlet in Oxfordshire, according to author Mark Ellwood, who wrote Bargain Fever: How to Shop in a Discounted World.
Mark wrote: "I went into Reiss to buy a sweater I bought at retail in navy, and they had it in brown for £20. I got chatting to a beautiful English rose behind the counter and asked why they were so many Chinese shoppers in the store – there are no Reiss stores in China – and she said: 'Oh, it’s Kate Middleton – she’s in here all the time.
"'You look up and there’ll be Kate and her same two friends going through the 60 per cent off rack.'"
6. Shops high street
- Polly petal drop earrings, £8 from Accessorize – buy now
Kate looks breathtaking regardless of what she wears, and you’d never guess that some of her fashion finds are from the high street.
In a picturesque Chelsea Flower Show photos inside her Back to Nature garden, the mum-of-three opted to wear some £8 earrings from Accessorize.
She is also a fan of items from Zara – from an array of blazers and jackets that now make up her everyday business wear, to the odd skirt, dress and statement earrings.
7. Dresses Prince George in £2.50 tops
- Striped polo top, two for £5 from H&M – buy now
Not only does Kate love a high street find, but she also likes to dresses her kids in some affordable clobber too.
When her and Prince William took part in the recent King’s Cup regatta on the Isle of Wight earlier this month, she dressed Prince George in a £2.50 top.
The little royal wore a H&M blue and white striped polo top, which costs £5 for a pack of two.
And in a bid to get as much wear out of the kid's clothes, Kate dresses Prince Louis in his older brother's items.
To mark what would be the Queen’s 97th birthday, the Royal Family shared an unseen photograph of the late monarch surrounded by several of her great-grandchildren, and Louis was wearing George's button-down shirt with blue and white stripes and mandarin-collar shirt.
8. Reuses William’s clothes
Why buy a whole new set of baby and kids’ clothes when you have a wardrobe in supply?
Kate often puts her sons in clothes that used to be belong to Prince William back when he was a youngster, including some of his colourful shorts.
Some people have said this gives the children a slightly old-fashion style at times, but according to experts it is so they also look “timeless".
Childrenswear designer Rachel Riley, who's dressed all three of the Wales' children told The Telegraph: "The reason why I design clothes that way is because if they wear very simple things, it’s about the child, and it’s timeless in that you can’t really date a specific photo or put them in something that seems out of date.”
9. Loves recycling looks
Kate’s stunning wardrobe is one of the most enviable ones in Britain and her style has been dubbed the “Kate Middleton effect” after everything she wears sells out.
But the Princess often makes a point of wearing her clothes on multiple occasions to get full use out of them.
She’s often been an “outfit repeater”, and might tweak the original design, or change her accessories or opt for a whole new hair and makeup look for the new occasion.
10. Takes own snaps
Kate could easily hire some swanky photographer to take all of her official snaps but she likes to get hands on and stuck in.
The Princess has showed off her developing photography skills over the years at key mile stones, and to date, she has taken and shared 37 photographs of her children.
To mark Princess Charlotte's 8th birthday, Kate took an adorable photo of her daughter in Windsor, and a super smiley headshot of George on a beach in 2022 in honour of his 9th birthday to name a few.
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