Throughout her years as a working member of the royal family, Kate has increasingly found praise among the fashion press and commentators, noting her stylish twists on classic formal dressing.
Though perhaps best known for her sharply tailored pantsuits, coat-dresses and flattering evening gowns, Kate has also debuted an expansive collection of chic accessories with her outfits, from heritage heirloom jewelry to towering high heels.
One accessory that has received less coverage that Kate has utilized is her impressive collection of handbags. Frequently spotted wearing small silk clutch bags with eveningwear or box handled bags for daytime engagements, Kate's collection boasts a range of both British and international high-end luxury leather goods designers.
Perhaps the royal who was best known for her taste in handbags was Queen Elizabeth II, remaining loyal to the Traviata style designed by the British label, Launer London. The brand is now regularly worn by Queen Camilla.
For Kate, she has experimented with a number of shapes and styles made in a range of textiles to perfectly match whatever outfit she happens to pull from her seemingly never-ending royal wardrobes.
Here, Newsweek looks at five of Kate's fashion-forward handbag moments.
Strathberry Mosaic Top Handled Bag
One of Kate's most recent handbag debuts was made during her annual "Together at Christmas" carol concert hosted at Westminster Abbey in December 2023.
For the event, the princess wore an all-white outfit with wide legged high-waisted pants and a longline tailored coat. To accessorize, Kate paired the look with Van Cleef & Arpels mother of pearl earrings and a white handled bag by the Scottish brand, Strathberry.
Kate wore the label's Mosaic Nano model in the shade "vanilla", which retails for $555.
Aspinal of London Midi Mayfair Bag
One of Kate's favorite luxury leather goods brands for handbags is Aspinal of London. The princess owns the label's Midi Mayfair bag in several shades, including a black faux crocodile leather which she has worn on several occasions.
The bag retails for $660, and was worn by Kate on a visit to Copenhagen in 2022 to attend events connected with her work in the early childhood sector.
Tusting Mini Holly Bag
Another British leather goods brand loved by Kate is Tusting, known for their sustainable ethos and in-house manufacturing.
A model worn by Kate on two separate occasions is the Mini Holly bag in the shade "taupe." The princess most recently paired it with a cream knit coordinating outfit to visit Nottingham Trent University connected with World Mental Health Day in October 2023.
The Mini Holly retails for £365 ($464).
Chanel Burgundy Quilted Flap Bag
As well as patronizing British brands, Kate has also acquired a number of handbags from the world's leading fashion labels.
A notable example is the burgundy quilted flap bag from the famous Paris fashion house, Chanel. Kate notably wore the bag with a couture Chanel outfit designed by Karl Lagerfeld for an official visit to France with Prince William in 2017.
The princess has re-worn the bag on several occasions over the years, including for her visit to Boston in 2022. The model was reportedly designed as part of Chanel's Fall/Winter 2015 collection and is no longer in stores.
Lulu Guinness Hayworth Bag
Among Kate's famous array of clutch bags, she owns a classic chic blue silk model designed by British accessories designer Lulu Guinness.
Kate wore the bag with a glamorous evening gown for the final reception of her tour of the Caribbean with Prince William in 2022.
The Hayworth model features a statement gold clasp formed in the shape of a pair of lips and can also be worn with a long gold chain as a shoulder strap. The retail price of the bag is £225 ($286).
James Crawford-Smith is Newsweek's royal reporter, based in London. You can find him on X (formerly Twitter) at @jrcrawfordsmith and read his stories on Newsweek's The Royals Facebook page.
Do you have a question about King Charles III, William and Kate, Meghan and Harry, or their family that you would like our experienced royal correspondents to answer? Email royals@newsweek.com. We'd love to hear from you.
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
About the writer
James Crawford-Smith is a Newsweek Royal Reporter, based in London, U.K. His focus is reporting on the British royal family ... Read more
