Due to strict privacy laws in the UK, the Princess of Wales is almost never photographed in public by paparazzi while living her daily life. Rarely snapped on the school run, grocery shopping or on private family vacations, the princess typically gets to live her life (off the Crown clock) out of the scrutiny of the spotlight.
Thus, it was a special sighting when royal watchers saw pictures of the princess visiting the optician (eye doctor) in Notting Hill. In exclusive photos published on Instagram by pop culture writer and gossip columnist DeuxMoi — the princess was captured during a visit to Finaly & Co on Tuesday evening January 21st.
The new concept store (also known as Finlay London) on Ledbury road offers guests an opportunity to try on spectacles and sunglasses as well as receive free eye examinations. Following her stop at the store, Kate was spotted carrying a Finlay shopping bag — thus, it’s believed she may have made a purchase at the eyeglass boutique. (She already owns a pair of Finlay & Co Vivian Sunglasses in marble and a pair of Henrietta sunglasses in light tortoise.)
For the outing to the trendy neighborhood in west London, Kate donned a sophisticated winter ensemble featuring a belted coat, wide leg trousers and a chic crossbody bag.
The princess wore a new virgin wool runaway coat in navy from Max & Co. The cosmopolitan coat offers a flattering layer of warmth for city dwellers — its clean-lined design is perfect for downtown escapades and is the embodiment of urban elegance.
Kate donned the brand’s notched lapel coat in navy; it features two front pockets, a removable belt and long sleeves. The topper is constructed of 100% virgin wool. (Kate already owns the brand’s belted runaway coat in pink and camel).
Paired with the classic wrap coat, Kate donned her Sezane Martin trousers in mottled grey. The high waisted trousers are defined by a straight leg and wide fit.
The princess carried a new handbag with her wintertime ensemble — the Mini Lytton Crossbody Bag in dark taupe. Constructed of grained calf leather, the chic bag has tubular grab handles and a removable and adjustable crossbody strap. The bag also boasts an external back pocket with a magnetic closure. Made in Italy, the butter-soft leather handbag is perfect for work or play.
For accessories, Kate wore a few familiar favorites including her Aquascutum blue and brown check fringed scarf first seen in her newlywed era (shopping at Tesco in Holyhead, North Wales in August 2011) and early royal days while canoeing in Yellowknife, Canada.
She finished the off-duty evening ensemble with her Kiki McDonough Lauren Pave Diamond Leaf Earrings.
Finlay & Co is a British eyewear brand founded by four friends in 2012. A popular destination for eyewear enthusiasts in London’s iconic soho neighborhood, the company started with a speciality in unisex wooden sunglasses. Their sunglasses are designed in London and handmade in Italy.
About Kate’s Finlay & Co sunglasses–the princess owns two pairs of Finlay & Co sunglasses. She stepped out in her first pair in March 2022 — wearing the Henrietta sunglasses in Great Abaco, Bahamas.
The ‘Henrietta’ glasses in light tortoise boast shallow green lenses with a cat-eye silhouette and squared upswept corners. Handmade in the brand’s workshop in Northern Italy, the chic glasses are designed from sustainable luxury Mazzucchelli acetate and fitted with Zeiss lenses for full UVA/UVB protection. The Duchess of Sussex also owns a pair of ‘Henrietta’ sunglasses in black with grey lenses.
In addition, Kate also has worn the Finlay & Co Vivian Sunglasses in Marble. Handmade from Mazzucchelli acetate, this design combines optical comfort with understated style. Kate stepped out in the sunglasses for a royal charity polo cup in July 2023.
The princess isn’t the only Finlay fan in the family — Pippa Middleton has also been spotted in designs from the eyewear brand. She’s worn the Bosworth Rosewood sunglasses and Thurloe sunglasses to Wimbledon.
Pave Heart Drop Earrings
