SHE may live in a grand palace with tiaras and designer gowns at her disposal – but Kate Middleton is most comfortable living a thrifty lifestyle.
The Duchess of Cambridge, 39, has been spotted shopping in bargain outlets, wears high street labels and prefers doing free activities with her kids.
Here are all the times “thrifty Kate” proved she loves a bargain like the rest of us…
Keeps clothes for decades and rewears them
Earlier this year, Kate rewore a trusty pair of boots that she has owned for 17 years as she stepped out with Prince William today for a farm visit.
The Duchess of Cambridge, 39, looked the epitome of countryside chic in her favourite long tassel boots from Penelope Chilvers, which cost £475.
She was first spotted wearing them at Blenheim Palace in 2004 and wore them again one year later at the Gatcombe Festival of Eventing in Gloucestershire.
The boots made another appearance when Kate and William set off on a three-hour trek in Bhutan in 2016 and last November, Kate chose the style once again when she visited the Robin Hood Primary School in London.
Loves 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 the 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.
And if that wasn’t “normal” enough for the royal mum, 39-year-old Kate previously surprised shoppers when she was seen picking up Halloween supplies in a local Sainsbury’s in Norfolk.
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Loves doing free outdoor activities with her kids
While Kate certainly has the budget for taking her kids on expensive days out, her favourite things to do with them are free.
The Duchess of Cambridge has revealed how she enjoys going on spider hunts with her older children Prince George and Princess Charlotte.
An insider told Fabulous: “Kate is giving her children the Enid Blyton ‘Famous Five’ life that she always wanted for them.
“She ensures their lives are outdoorsy and full of tree climbing, swimming, making dens, growing their own flowers and vegetables, team games, dog walking.
“It’s a solid, balanced, kind family life that she always experienced in Bucklebury.”
Flies by budget airline
Down-to-earth Kate and William travelled with the budget airline from Norwich International Airport to Aberdeen Airport on their way to visit the Queen in 2019.
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 and daughter Charlotte in tow.
Stunned passengers also watched as Kate followed carrying 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.
Kits out her home with Ikea items
Despite the family living in the grand Kensington Palace, the young Cambridge children’s quarters have very relatable items.
The duchess, reported by Hello, has revealed that both Prince George and Princess Charlotte’s bedrooms are filled with Ikea furniture – and it’s likely Prince Louis’ is too.
She made the revelation in 2018 to Ikea’s Head of Design, Marcus Engman at the National Museum of Architecture and Design in Stockholm.
Shops high street
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 her picturesque Chelsea Flower Show photos inside her Back to Nature garden, the mum-of-three opted to wear some £8 earrings from Accessorize.
She’s also mixed items from Topshop, Zara and Gap into her wardrobe too.
Bakes her own birthday cakes for her kids
Despite having her own chef and the budget to buy the best cakes in London, Kate prefers to bake her kids a homemade cake each year.
When Kate and William starred on the former Bake Off queen’s BBC programme A Berry Royal Christmas, the Duchess said: “I love making the cake.”
She added: “It’s become a bit of a tradition that I stay up ’til midnight with ridiculous amounts of cake mix and icing and I make far too much. But I love it.”
We shared how Princess Charlotte sweetly cradled a butterfly in snap taken by mum Kate Middleton as Royals share conservation message.
And here are all the times Kate has dressed like a Disney princess – and she’s got Prince William in on the action too.
