She may be the Princess of Wales, but when it comes to her wardrobe, Kate is the undisputed Queen of the High Street.
While royals have long been associated with couture gowns, luxury handbags, and designer exclusives, Kate has rewritten the rulebook, showing that you can still look regal on a budget.
It’s one of the most high-profile jobs in the country, requiring a serious effort to look polished at all times. So how much money does Kate actually spend on clothes?
From Zara dresses to LK Bennett trousers, the Princess of Wales has mastered the art of mixing affordable high-street pieces with timeless designer staples.
This is a stark contrast to the late Princess Diana, who was known for her exclusive, custom-made ensembles from the world’s top designers.
Kate not only champions affordable brands but rewears her outfits multiple times, bringing her cost per wear down to an almost unheard-of level for a royal.
This was proved most recently when she stepped out in Wales in a £16 Zara dress for the fourth time, meaning the high-street frock has now cost her just £4 per wear, a far cry from the extravagant price tags of past royal wardrobes.
Another well-worn item is her Mulberry Bayswater clutch, a piece she’s been spotted with a staggering 62 times, meaning the accessory has cost the princess just £6.85 an appearance.
Zara dress £16 (worn 4 times) – cost per wear £4
Stepping out in Wales Kate dressed in a £16 Zara dress for the fourth time, bringing the cost per wear down to just £4, a number unheard of in royal fashion history. The elegant monochrome printed midi dress was first debuted in 2020 and since then she has styled it in different ways to give it a fresh look each time
Roland Mouret trousers £450 (worn 7 times) – cost per wear £64.30
The Princess of Wales has been spotted in her sleek £450 Roland Mouret trousers on seven occasions, meaning they’ve cost her just £64.30 per wear. Kate first debuted the tailored black trousers back in 2022
Mulberry clutch, £425 (worn 62 times) – cost per wear £6.85
One of Kate’s most beloved accessories is her classic £425 Mulberry Bayswater clutch which she has carried on 62 occasions since Remembrance Day in 2013. Unlike many royals who frequently rotate their handbags, often opting for brand-new designer pieces for every outing, Kate sticks to her favourites and this is one of them
Kate’s practical and budget-conscious approach to fashion is completely new territory for a future Queen.
Unlike previous royal women, she has deliberately steered away from excessive spending, instead embracing a more accessible and sustainable way of dressing.
By comparison, Princess Diana had an enormous clothing budget. In 1994 alone, she reportedly spent over £91,000 on clothing.
Diana’s wardrobe was filled with exclusive designer pieces, often custom-made by the likes of Catherine Walker, Versace, and Chanel, ensuring that she had a fresh, never-before-seen look for every engagement.
Kate, on the other hand, has forged her own path, showing that elegance and affordability can go hand in hand and proving that a modern Queen doesn’t need an endless clothing budget to look impeccable.
Penelope Chilvers tassel boots, £475, worn in public 14 times, cost per wear £33.90
Kate knows how to pick a piece that will quite literally go the distance. Her £475 Penelope Chilvers tassel boots have been a firm favourite for over two decades. First seen in 2004 at Blenheim Palace, these sturdy-yet-stylish knee-high boots have accompanied her on some of her most adventurous outings. She would have worn them countless times but we can only record them when they are seen for engagements
Whistles dress, £59 (worn twice) – cost per wear £29.50
The Princess of Wales once again showed her commitment to to the High Street by rewearing her chic £59 Whistles dress when visiting Southport last year. The burgundy polka dot midi dress was first worn in 2018 at Kensington Palace, when she hosted the finalists of BBC Radio One’s Teen Hero Awards
Holland Cooper shirt bodysuit in white, £149 (worn 6 times) – cost per wear £24.80
First debuted during the pandemic in 2021, Kate was seen wearing it on a Zoom call with families supported by Asthma UK & Diabetes UK, layering it elegantly under a structured suit. Since then, it has become a go-to piece in her collection
Zara blazer, £59.99 (worn 4 times) – cost per wear £14.99
High-street fashion once again reigns supreme with one of Kate’s most relied-upon staples, a £59.99 red bouclé blazer from Zara, which has become a firm favourite in her impeccably curated wardrobe. With its bold colour, structured fit, and elegant tailoring, the affordable blazer has been worn on four occasions
LK Bennett trousers, £62 (worn 8 times) – cost per wear £8.85
Kate has reworn her £62 LK Bennett Frieda trousers an impressive seven times. The slim leg cropped trousers made their first appearance in 2022 at PACT in London, where Kate paired them with a chic tailored blazer, a combination she has stuck to on all six subsequent outings
This strategic approach to fashion, buying affordable pieces and wearing them repeatedly, has made Kate one of the most relatable royals.
And let’s not forget the practical side, Kate’s cost-per-wear strategy means she gets the most value out of her wardrobe, a move that resonates at a time when sustainability is a key focus in the fashion world.
With every repeated outfit, she sends a powerful message – fashion should be timeless, accessible, and sustainable. And as the future queen, she’s leading by example, one Zara blazer at a time.
