Princess Kate Pays for Clothes, Designer Says
Princess Kate does not accept free clothing for her royal wardrobe and insists on paying for items, according to a fashion designer who has supplied her denim over several years. The claims, published this week, offer fresh insight into how the Princess of Wales approaches royal protocol and brand support amid intense interest in what she wears at public engagements.
Speaking about her experiences, Hello Magazine reported that jeans designer Ms Donna Ida Thornton said the Princess of Wales is “adamant about paying out of pocket” for pieces, adding that it is “more beneficial for designers when the royals buy clothes and not receive freebies” because it signals genuine support for a brand.
Ms Thornton, who opened a boutique in Chelsea in 2006 and later launched her IDA denim label, told the Daily Mail that the royals are “very conscious” about paying for items and supporting designers. The report also notes that royal custom discourages accepting gifts for free, although some items may be loaned by designers and returned via stylists.
The discussion comes as the Princess continues to draw fashion attention at major events, including her return to the BAFTAs with Prince William, where her wardrobe choices were widely analysed alongside the couple’s public duties.
Questions about styling arrangements have also been raised after it was announced that the princess’s long-time personal assistant Ms Natasha Archer is leaving her palace role, with Hello reporting speculation about who may take on styling responsibilities next. For royal watchers and the fashion industry alike, the emphasis on paying for clothing underscores the sensitivity around ethics, optics and protocol in the modern royal wardrobe.
