Why Princess Catherine’s masterstroke is Meghan Markle’s loss
Their explosive feud rocked the royal family. But Princess Catherine has the upper hand over Meghan. Here’s why.
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Their feud was exposed in Prince Harry’s explosive memoir, Spare.
But when it comes to style, Princess Catherine is proving she has the upper hand over her sister-in-law Meghan Markle.
The Princess of Wales has long been the queen of recycling when it comes to repurposing her most iconic looks.
Her flawless blending of High Street items with high-end designers has become a major talking point for fashion observers the world over.
The Princess’ penchant for recycling and championing of British designers is a key way for her to communicate her passion for sustainability.
Ms Markle, on the other hand, rarely recycles her outfits. The Duchess of Sussex favours US designers and is known for splashing the cash on ultra-extravagant labels including Valentino, Cartier, Chanel and Manolo Blahnik.
Vogue Australia’s Gladys Lai said Ms Markle’s style differed from that of her sister-in-law.
“Meghan’s wardrobe is more modern and leans more into the corporate chic side of things, she dresses like a working woman with style,” she said.
“Whereas Kate almost has a little bit more fun with silhouettes. We see a lot more diversity there from Kate’s wardrobe.”
When it comes to her outfits, says Vogue Australia, the switched-on Princess Catherine is aware of the impact of her public image and uses her fashion choices to subtly campaign for causes that she is passionate about.
Edwina McCann, Editor-in-Chief-of Vogue Australia, said the Princess of Wales has long been a fan of sustainability but is now recycling her outfits with increased frequency.
The Princess’s ability to mix high-end designers with high-street labels makes her more relatable to the public, she said.
Ms Lai said Catherine was “incredibly adept and very aware of the way in which she can use fashion or communicate her stance on social issues through her clothing”.
She said Catherine appeared to be upping the glamour now that she was a senior royal.
“I think we used to see her in a lot of things like floral mini dresses and nude pumps,” she said.
“She was very famous for wearing wedges, which the Queen famously hated, which was such a scandal.
“But now we’ve really seen her gravitate towards more sleek, streamlined pieces.”
Here are Princess Catherine’s top ten recycled looks.
Princess Catherine heralded her return to the BAFTAs — after the ceremony was suspended for three years due to the pandemic — with a sustainable fashion statement.
Donning the same white Alexander McQueen dress she wore in 2019, the Princess of Wales repurposed her look by adding elegant black gloves and $12 Zara earrings.
The Princess of Wales did not wait long to recycle a recent look by one of her favourite designers.
Just weeks after cutting an elegant figure in Boston during her December 2022 visit for the Earthshot Prize Awards, she revamped her maroon Roland Mouret suit as she hosted a reception for the England Wheelchair Rugby League.
The Princess of Wales continued her post-Earthshot Awards sustainability drive re-wearing a cosy Gabriela Hearst outfit in January for a visit to the Foxcubs Nursery in Luton.
She had previously worn the knit set last December, complete with a long coat to ward off the harsh Boston winter.
This white Alexander McQueen suit quickly became one of Catherine’s favourite looks of 2022.
She first wore it on her tour of the Caribbean with Prince William last March.
In August, she wore it again for a visit to the Commonwealth Games with Princess Charlotte.
A striking green Catherine Walker coat dress was a hit during the then Duchess of Cambridge’s royal tour of Australia in 2014.
The aptly coloured outfit was recycled in 2016 during Catherine’s first appearance at the Chelsea Flower Show.
Another Catherine Walker classic was recycled for two memorable events in 2011 and 2016.
The first outing was on the final day of the royal tour of Canada in 2011 with Prince William.
The red outfit was then recycled in 2016 for the Order of the Garter Ceremony at St George's Chapel.
Catherine also recycled her Lock & Co headpiece, which was previously worn during the Diamond Jubilee Thames River Pageant in 2012.
To complete the look, she accessorised with the earrings she wore on her wedding day.
The radiant Catherine dazzled Aussie royal fans when she wire a stunning Roksanda Ilincic sheath dress during her visit to Sydney in 2014.
Two years later, she had the same effect on the crowds at Wimbledon in 2016.
The Princess has famously worn the same pair of tasselled Penelope Chilvers boots since 2004.
As a testament to her penchant for frugality, she has worn the Spanish leather boots for almost 20 years at various engagements.
This delicate light yellow See by Chloe dress was first debuted during the royal tour of Canada in 2016.
Catherine then gave it another outing at a 2017 garden party honouring the children of service members who died while in the armed forces.
The Canada tour provided yet another outing for an elegant Catherine Walker coat dress.
Princess Catherine first wore the white coat during an outing with Princess Charlotte in 2016.
In 2017, she paired it with a pillbox hat and matching clutch for an Easter Sunday church service with the royal family.
Originally published as Why Princess Catherine’s masterstroke is Meghan Markle’s loss
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