Many people are curious about the royal family and their annual clothing budget. Who finances their fashions and how expensive are their yearly wardrobes? Princess Kate is typically the fashionista in question — many royal watchers are intrigued about her clothing habits, spending and working wardrobe costs.
Though the royal household typically covers the costs of Kate’s working attire with the Crown supplying the funds for her fashions — it’s unknown whether the princess pays full price or receives garments at discounts. Still, the princess cannot be gifted any free fashion or receive any complimentary clothing as she’s expected to comply with guidelines regarding protocol and propriety. Accepting dresses or coats for free, for instance, would create conflicts of interest and be viewed as a royal endorsement on gratuitous goods.
The princess reportedly used to receive something akin to salary — a yearly living allowance to cover “official activity” costs such as travel and wardrobe expenses but sources claimed that Kate and William always paid for their housing and staff independently.
No longer funded by the King, Prince William inherited the Duchy of Cornwall (130,000 acres in southwest England) valued at 1.2 billion in 2022. Annual profits of around 30 million are used for expenses such as clothing and travel.
Here’s What Kate Middleton Spent on Clothing Over the Last Seven Years:
2017
Clothing Total: $160,000
In 2017, the princess splurged on a tweed skirt suit from French luxury fashion house Chanel for a trip to Paris and later wore plenty of posh pieces in Germany. She also spent nearly $3000 on a sparkly ‘Rhona’ lace dress from Erdem for a palace reception and donned a long sleeve lace green gown from Temperley London costing the Crown coffers around $2500. A burgundy Marchesa dress, shimmery blue Jenny Packham evening gown and Gosia Baczynska white cocktail dress rounded out the year of fancy frocks and couture clothing.
Most Expensive Outfits: $17,277 Chanel Skirt Suit and Handbag, $14,000 Alexander McQueen Maid of Honor Dress, $8,000 Alexander McQueen Black Floral Long Tier Jacquard Dress
2018
Clothing Total: $121,579
While pregnant with Prince Louis during the first half of the year, Kate kept her wardrobe maternity-friendly with lots of overcoats from brands like Hobbs and Tory Burch. A trip to Norway provided the opportunity to introduce impressive styles from Erdem and the House of McQueen.
Most Expensive Outfits: $2800 Jenny Packham Lucerne Dress, $9500 Alexander McQueen Pale Pink Cape, Unknown Alexander McQueen Dusty Blue Taffeta Mermaid Gown, $5220 Jenny Packham Bluebell Gown
2019
Clothing Total: $131,334
The princess was busy in 2019 and carried out a trip to Scotland and North Wales, attended Prince Archie’s christening as well as helped build and conceive the idea for an installation at the Chelsea Garden Show. The Wales matriarch ended the year on a high note with a glittery lookbook showcasing lots of colorful ensembles in Pakistan during an autumn tour.
Most Expensive Outfits: $6337 Alexander McQueen One Shoulder White Gown, $5096 Gucci Pink Evening Gown, $4600 Jenny Packham Green Sequin Tenille Gown
2020
Clothing Total: $128,000-$134,000
Before the pandemic became a worldwide crisis, the princess embarked on a trip to Northern Ireland and embraced country chic fashions as well as glamorous green dresses. The summer was dedicated to Zoom calls and online meetings but Kate did wear colorful floral midis and shirtdresses over the summer and early fall.
Most Expensive Outfits: $2100 Alessandra Rich Green Rose Peplum Dress, $4900 Alexander McQueen Maxi Double Breasted Red Coat, $1792 Vampire’s Wife Falconetti Green Dress
2021
Clothing Total: $159,339
The year 2021 was a time for more work from home engagements and digital conferences. Still, Kate managed to travel to Scotland and spent some of her clothing allowance on Holland Cooper tartan trenches and double-breasted blazers. The mom of three also had a banner fashion year thanks to her iconic red carpet moment at the James Bond “No Time to Die” premiere in an unforgettable sequin gold cape dress.
Most Expensive Outfits: $7600 Jenny Packham Goldfinger Caped Sequin Gown, $1649 Alessandra Rich Houndstooth Dress, Chloe Gathered Pink Wool Blazer $2550
2022
Clothing Total: $191,547
After celebrating her 40th birthday in avant-garde Alexander McQueen, the princess continued a winning sartorial streak in 2022 and wore a tailored grey Catherine Walker coat to chat with Queen Mary in Denmark. In addition, she journeyed to the Caribbean with Prince William for visits to Belize, Jamaica and the Bahamas where she wowed in airy tropical resort wear and satin ballgowns.
Most Expensive Outfits: $2216 Vampire’s Wife Light Sleeper Pink Dress, $5025 Jenny Packham Wonder Tulle Green Gown, $4698 Chanel Tweed Vintage Blazer, $5045 Jenny Packham Elodie Gown, $3630 Roland Mouret Lamble Gown
2023
Clothing Total: $120,180
For the princess, 2023 was the year of the Power Pantsuit. Kate found her groove in business attire and embraced the blazer in a big way. She managed to wow during the coronation in a formfitting Packham ivory sheath dress, Self-Portrait blue cocktail design with a twisted collar and an unforgettable Coronation dress designed with silver bullion and thread work embroidery echoing the same floral motif seen on her wedding dress.
Most Expensive Outfits: $3000 Alexander McQueen Red Pantsuit, $4000 Erdem Ottoman Peplum Skirt Suit, $4915 Jenny Packham Pink Sequin Georgia Gown, $3640 Andrew Gn Embellished Dress in Emerald Green, $4000 Alexander McQueen White Custom Coronation Gown