Last year, it was reported that the Duchess of Cambridge spent over £174,170 ($214,788.19) on clothing. The number seemed astronomical and many people jumped at the chance to criticise not only Kate and her clothing choices, but how the Daily Mail pulled together the sums of her wardrobe. The popular blog, What Would Kate Do? decided that this was something they could perhaps help with, and have shared their findings with Royal Central. Since January of this year, they have started to keep a tab on all of the new items Kate has added to her wardrobe and worn on public engagements so that they would be able to provide a really good sense of how much she actually spent, the breakdown of items as well as the types of garments she was adding to her collection.
Kate spent £57,347.50 (rounded up for sake of argument) on clothes in the first three months of 2017. This is the equivalent of approximately $71,200 USD – and if she keeps up this “pace”, we will see her surpass last year’s numbers. They anticipate that the spending does continue seeing how she will be taking on additional royal duties this year now that the Cambridge family are relocating to London. Here are all of the items we noted that Kate was wearing new during the first three months of the year, broken down to make that total.
JANUARY 8, 2017: SANDRINGHAM CHURCH VISIT
LK Bennett Sammi Scarf (Retail price £110.00)
Lock & Co. Alpaca Fur Hat (Retail price £320.00)
JANUARY 11, 2017 : ANNA FREUD CENTRE VISIT
Eponine London Blue Belted Coat Dress (Retail price £1,650.00)
JANUARY 17, 2017 : HEADS TOGETHER EVENT
Erdem Evita Dress (Retail price $1876)
JANUARY 24, 2017 : EACH HOSPICES EVENT
Gerard Darel Josephine Blouse (Retail price €185.00)
Hobbs Sinead Jacket (Retail price £189.00)
Hobbs Sinead Skirt (Retail price $136.00)
FEBRUARY 5, 2017: LONDON MARATHON TRAINING
Perfect Moment Mini Duvet II (Retail price $505)
New Balance Vazee Rush (Retail price £90)
Zara Body Curve Jeggings Black (Retail price $35.90)
Unknown Black turtleneck (Retail price $200 *Assumption* We assume that the piece is similar in price range to Iris & Ink pieces Kate has worn in the past)
Asprey 167 Earrings (Retail price $4800)
FEBRUARY 6, 2017: UK GUILD OF HEALTH WRITERS CONFERENCE
Oscar de la Renta Purple Suit (Retail price $2190 *Assumption* This may have been worn to the Queen’s Christmas Luncheon in December 2016. Because it was not confirmed and there were no photos, we are assuming this to be new for the purposes of these calculations)
FEBRUARY 12, 2017 : BAFTA AWARDS
Bespoke Alexander McQueen (Retail price $7765)
Alexander McQueen Heart Clasp Clutch (Retail price $2075)
FEBRUARY 14, 2017 : AIR CADETS ENGAGEMENT
Philosophy di Lorenzo Serafini Red Twill Jacket (Retail price $1515)
FEBRUARY 27, 2017 : UK INDIA CULTURAL RECEPTION
Oscar de la Renta Cabrina Pumps (Retail price $690)
Erdem Rhona Dress (Retail price $1191)
Anita Dongre Pink City Earrings (Retail price $1350)
FEBRUARY 28, 2017 : EVANGELINA LONDON ENGAGEMENT
Rebecca Taylor Cropped Tweed Jacket (Retail price $495)
Rebecca Taylor Tweed Dress (Retail price $800 *Assumption* There was no matching dress ever located. Best guesses are that this piece is a skirt that was cut from a dress, or that it was custom made. We are assuming the price of a dress which would need alterations.)
MARCH 9, 2017: IRAQ/AFGHANISTAN MEMORIAL UNVEILING
Lock & Co. Tiffany Drop Pin (Retail price £325.00)
MARCH 17, 2017: ST. PATRICKS DAY
Catherine Walker Bespoke Coatdress (Retail price $2500 *Assumption* Taking price of similar styles from Catherine Walker)
Emmy London Pointed Court Shoes (Retail price $545.00)
Etui Dark Green Clutch Bag (€130)
MARCH 17, 2017: ROYAL VISIT PARIS DAY ONE – RECEPTION
Gianvito Rossi Black Heels (Retail price $800)
Alexander McQueen Black Dress (Retail price £4,000 *Assumption* Taking price of similar styles/bespoke options)
MARCH 17, 2017: ROYAL VISIT PARIS DAY ONE – GALA
Jenny Packham Blue Embellished Dress (Retail price $5,170)
MARCH 18, 2017: ROYAL VISIT PARIS DAY TWO – MORNING
Chanel Coat (Retail price £8,350)
Chanel Calfskin Bag with Enamel Handle (Retail price £3,762)
Cartier Trinity de Cartier Earrings (Retail price £1,640)
March 18, 2017: Royal Visit Paris Day Two – Rugby
Unknown Black Heeled Boots (Retail price $975.00 *Assumption* Assuming similar price/style to Gianvito Rossi and priced accordingly)
MARCH 28, 2017: NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY GALA
Kiki McDonough Candy Pink Tourmaline and Green Amethyst Drop Earrings (£8,900)
OF NOTE…
WWKD did not include the Chanel belt separately (it was figured into the cost of the Chanel coat), the pearl necklace set worn in France (we assumed it was part of the set with the earrings Kate has previously worn in other years) or the green lace dress from the NPG Gala (Kate had previously worn it to a private event in previous year which we had peeks at).
Let us know your thoughts in the comments. Should the Duchess of Cambridge cut back on her spending or is the overall affect good for the British economy?
