Drawn to eco-minded fashions and sustainable style trends, the Princess of Wales makes an effort to regularly incorporate vintage accessories into her royal wardrobe.
In recent years, she’s been inclined to wear vintage jewelry, secondhand designer bags and even rented dresses.
Often paying tribute to the occasion, Kate will deftly incorporate nostalgic wares into her elegant and enchanting diplomatic styling. For instance, carrying a Chanel calfskin bag from the French luxury label on tour in Paris or wearing a Jewish owned jewelry brand for a Holocaust Memorial Service.
Since one of Prince William’s legacy projects is his campaign to protect the planet and his annual Earthshot Awards — the Wales family are passionate about creating a call to conservation thus, it’s easy to see why the princess is more dedicated than ever to wearing recycled fashion.
Here are 9 of Kate Middleton’s Favorite Vintage Handbags and Jewelry:
1. Josef Point de Beauvais Beaded Flap Clutch (Six Wears)
Designed in France in the 1930s to 1950s, this colorful beaded clutch with a front flap closure demonstrates Kate’s affinity for beautiful and classic handbags. Kate has carried the bag to two Buckingham Palace Garden parties in 2017 and 2022 as well as toting it for tennis at Wimbledon in 2019 and 2021.
Shop the bag HERE and HERE and HERE
2. Hermes Rio Envelope Clutch in Rogue Leather (One Wear)
A three decade old bag, this envelope clutch is crafted from Courchevel leather and hails from a 1992 collection. A simple but functional pochette, this stylish vintage bag boasts a logo embellished snap closure and gold hardware.
3. Magid Black Beaded Vintage Clutch (Five Wears)
First brought to the 2010 wedding of Mel Nicholson & Oli Baker at San Salvador’s Chapel, in St Andrews in Scotland, the princess carried this antique made-in-Japan bag for galas and special occasions in 2014. Later, she carried the cocktail clutch in hand for the Festival of Remembrance in 2017.
4. Willow Hilson Vintage Raffia Beaded Bag in Orange (One Wear)
Hailing from the 1960s, this woven raffia bag from label Wayne Taylor is constructed of interlaced shiny faceted orange beads. A brown wooden handle gives this bygone bag more character and charm. Kate carried the statement bag in Jamaica in March 2022.
5. Chanel Burgundy Calfskin Boy Flap Bag with Enamel Handle (Five Wears)
A non-new bag, Kate carried this quilted burgundy bag from the designer’s seasonal handbag collection circa 2015 on a royal tour in 2017 while visiting France. The bag boasts an enamel brass handle with an art deco aesthetic and aged burgundy and brass boy CC push lock on the front flap.
6. Gold and Blue Enamel Button Earrings (One Wear)
The princess stepped out in these decorative button earrings at an Oxford Nursing Home in February 2023. Presumed to be from the 1980s, royal style sleuths were unable to identify the provenance of the pair.
7. Susan Caplan 1980s Vintage 5-Strand Pearl Necklace (Two Wears)
A shiny silver plated five-row pearl strand necklace, this antique piece features warm toned luminous faux pearls in graduating sizes ranging from 0.3 cm to 0.8 cm. The classic necklace is closed with a sparkly Swarovski crystal clasp. Kate has worn the elegant necklace on two occasions in 2025 including for attending a Holocaust Memorial service and VE Day 80th Anniversary Concert.
Shop the necklace HERE
8. Susan Caplan Vintage Renaissance Revival Earrings (Two Wears)
Uniquely defined by luminous faux pearls in a cross pattern with petite faux pearl accents, these art deco earrings have appeared on the princess thus far on two occasions including for the VE Day Concert in May 2025 and Garter Day in June 2025.
Shop the earrings HERE
9. Katherine James Vintage Pearl Earrings (One Wear)
Designed to replicate the look of coral reefs, these eye-catching earrings are crafted from 18-carat yellow gold and are adorned with five milky luminous pearls. Chic and timeless, the sculptural earrings have a memorable textured design. The princess has worn them on one occasion to the HMP Styal Prison in February 2025.
