During her years in the spotlight, the now Princess of Wales’s royal wardrobe has come to be defined by Alexander McQueen formalwear, frequent nods to the British high street and homegrown talent, and more recently, something of a love affair with Alessandra Rich’s vintage-inspired dresses. But despite the whirlwind of public engagements, foreign tours and black-tie galas that is royal life, Kate often appears happiest in casual gear – whether she’s going head-to-head with husband Prince William in a boat race, or yomping across a Norfolk field in her Barbour coat and the flat Penelope Chilvers boots she’s had since her early twenties.
The famously sporty Duchess is a keen tennis fan (and patron of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, home of Wimbledon), and rarely misses an opportunity to show up her husband in a friendly competition. She left William trailing in a sailing race in Auckland during their tour of New Zealand and Australia. Her wholesome hobbies include beekeeping and gardening – something anyone who attempted to get their Tania Compton on in lockdown can relate to – and who could forget the time she accessorised her The Vampire’s Wife dress with a pint of Guinness on a royal visit to Ireland? Most recently, Kate joined the first Children’s Picnic at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show.
Revisit 24 times the royal revealed herself to be a girl next door at heart, below.