From budget flights to bargain fashion rails, Kate Middleton shows us how it's done
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.
Loves bargains from The Range
Kate shocked The Range customers when she showed up to buy some Christmas bargains last year
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.
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.
Did her own wedding make-up
Kate ditched an expensive glam squad to do her own make-up for her 2011 wedding
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.
Uses budget airlines
Kate and Wills walk across the runway after flying on a £73-a-head FlyBe plane this week
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.
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.
Makes packed lunches
Kate hands Princess Charlotte a packed lunch at the polo in July
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.
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.
Shops high street
Kate wore some £8 Accessorize earring in her shoot at Chelsea Flower Show
Kate looks breathtaking regardless of what she wears, and you’d never guess that some of her fashion finds are from the high street.
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.
Dresses Prince George in £2.50 tops
Prince George wore a £2.50 striped top from H&M at the regatta
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.
Reuses William’s clothes
This blue short and white top combination was seen on Prince George at Trooping the Colour in 2016, left, and Prince William at Prince Harry’s christening in 1984, right
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".
Loves recycling looks
Kate stunned in this turquoise Jenny Packham dress in 2012, right, and 2018, left
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.
Takes own snaps
Kate took this sweet photo of Prince George for his official birthday shots in July
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.
