I truly believe that one of the reasons Duchess Kate wants to move to Anmer Hall is because she thinks that people will pay less attention to her shopping habits when she’s outside of London. While most of the Fleet Street press have agreed to avoid/ban coverage of Kate’s shopping schedule, when she’s in London, regular people tweet about her constantly and many “civilians” take photos of her and post them on social media. Much like Prince William, Kate believes that she should only be photographed when she’s at a public event or when there is some sort of implicit set-up (the Middletons have a go-to photographer that they use). The answer to the “Kate spends so much of her time shopping” dilemma is never “maybe she should stop shopping so much.” She’s merely going to move to a less-trafficked area and hope that those people keep her shopping habits more undercover. Well, not so much.
The Duchess of Cambridge was spotted hunting for bargain baby clothes for Prince George at an outlet shopping centre, it has been claimed today. Kate, 32, was reportedly seen looking at reduced Lacoste pyjamas for her and Prince William’s one-year-old son as she indulged in a bit of retail therapy. The style-icon also reportedly checked out designer stores Ralph Lauren, Temperley and Gucci for discount clothing.
The Duchess of Cambridge is believed to have had her purchases from Bicester Village, Oxfordshire couriered to Kensington Palace over the weekend. Fellow shoppers took to Twitter to post their excitement at seeing Kate at the popular shopping centre.
Tweeter Leah Bryne posted: “Chuffed to bits I met Kate Middleton today, had a little chat and she was lovely!”
Laura Isabella wrote: “Still quite excited about exchanging smiles with Kate Middleton this morning.”
A sales assistant at one of the stores the Duchess browsed said she was looking around the shop on her own. Speaking to The Sun, they said: “Kate came in on Sunday on her own, just like anyone else, and browsed the sales racks. At first I didn’t recognise her, I couldn’t believe it was Kate. She was very friendly.”
The Duchess is known to be a huge fan of Bicester Village and has regularly shopped at the discount shopping centre in the past. In 2012, during a tour of the South-East, she told Sadiah Bte Shahal, wife of Singapore government official Maliki Osman, she “loved” the designer outlet store. At the time Mrs Bte Shahal said: “We talked about the UK and particularly about shopping at Bicester. I said I’ve been there and I love it and she said she does as well. She said it’s great how everything is so contained.”
So now there are a million stories about “thrifty Kate” and how she’s a genius for shopping at designer outlets. Which… sure. I guess. Kate has always liked to mix up high-end designers with less expensive mass-market pieces and props to her for her commitment to affordable clothing. Several things though. One, when she buys mass-market pieces, she almost always gets them tailored, which often costs more than what she paid for the item. Two, it’s not her money. Prince Charles buys her clothes. So I guess that it’s nice that she bargain-hunts when someone else is paying for it. Three, imagine if Kate threw herself into charity work with the same kind of gusto, energy and focus as she puts into shopping?
Last thing: how is that Kate travels with a dozen protection officers when she’s in London, but she can do some hardcore outlet shopping for hours with no protection detail?
Photos courtesy of WENN.
The best part about these KM posts is that delicious baby of hers. He is so precious. I love him.
It would be amazing is she literally shopped till she dropped. What a story that would be!
It’s a wonder it hasn’t happened yet. She will never work until she drops.
4. We have all established that she is no style icon.
How does she shop so much yet we see her in the same wedges of doom, blazer, blue and white striped top, Jbrand skinny jeans, and/or LK Bennett nude pumps?
She probably wears her new clothes in private affairs. In aristocratic parties and private weddings etc.
Maybeiamcrazy
You raise a good point. Thing is she’s photographed at these private events and is often caught in repeats from events.
If anything it seems she latches onto a look or stye and buys several items that look the same.
Still, she shops almost every other day for hours. Do you think she buys just to buy or these vlothes are taking up huge closets? Or Charles has been buying the Middleton women’s clothes for some time now?
I don’t know. I honestly don’t get Kate. Maybe she goes to “private” events in same clothes but wears different clothes when she is sure she won’t get photographed. Or maybe it is mandatory to dress up every morning when you live in a castle or a palace.
As for the possibility Charles buying Middleton women’s clothes… Does Wills have that much effect on Charles? It hurts my head to think about it.
That’s a really good point. If I shopped this much you’d see me in 3 different outfits per day!
Maybe she’s just browsing?
+1!!!! I legitimately gag when I read Kate’s been given the designation of “style icon”.
For me a style icon is someone who truly makes a statement with their clothes, either in doing something new or revamping a current trend and making it their own. Waitey does neither. Kate’s horrendous uniform of wedges, jeggings and blazer has been brought out at least half a dozen times in less than a year. Her style is eminently forgettable, save for the frequent undie airings.
The sugars responded to this by saying how nice it was that she was able to take some “me” time. They didn’t seem to notice the quote from the salesgirl saying “Oh, Kate comes in all the time!!”. And anyone who remarks how great it would be if she worked as often as she shops is labelled a jealous hater. Then they congratulate each other on schooling the ill-mannered heathens. Really, don’t read the comments at HRH Duchess Kate unless you want to puke.
Yes, that “Jo” from the USA on there is a nasty piece of work. Schooling all the “bullies” who disagree with her opinion and who don’t agree that KM walks on water.
Her dedication to shopping is truly admirable. /snark
Loved Kaiser’s shade: “Three, imagine if Kate threw herself into charity work with the same kind of gusto, energy and focus as she puts into shopping?”
I shop constantly too. It’s really a problem. BUT I just bought a pair of gap jeans, 6 plates, 3 Barbie Dolls, an electronic piano toy, 2 picture frames, and 5 jars for 13.50. I think that is thrifty.
Gucci at an outlet is just things the slave labor messed up and they are selling at a discount rate. A discount rate at Gucci is like full price Coach. Not thrifty at all.
Too true. Discount Gucci is hardly thrifty. Or discount Mulberry. Or discount Missoni. Or constant, perpetual shopping for things you don’t really need.
I shop too on occasion and at discount places as well. Don’t see any problem. People, especially housewives buy stuff all the time.
Do they shop with their father in laws money while claiming they have time for nothing else?
You’re taking away the positive spin on this story. “Kate is thrifty just like us”
When in reality she’s spending on clothes, spending on homes, and refusing to work with her charities because she’s too busy.
Well, is she spending your personal money? If you are British and don’t like it, do something about it.
Kate Middleton has time to shop there all the time with her father-in-law’s money (which belongs to the taxpayers), but has no time to work. Pathetic.
May23
Depends. Are we talking take home pay after or before taxes?
It could be argued citizens have personal money they then have to pay for taxes. That in turn becomes funds that keep up the renovations, shopping trips, beauty regimens.
Or are you simply saying that unless Kate isn’t personally reaching into my purse and pulling out cash for shopping trips it’s nothing to complain about?
Blimey, Bicester Village is all very well (how else would I afford Penhaligons eaux?!) but she has the clout to (I imagine?) have Selfridges all to herself some evening. Maybe Bicester’s an old family stomping ground, and of course you don’t have to negotiate vast tracts of London, dashing between Horrids and Liberty, for example. Tis just a bit DULL!
Neither thrifty nor boring, but certainly a shameless stunt to look like us “normal”.
I am so tired of this “Gee whiz, we are just like you. Recycling outfits, shopping at outlet malls and working just like everyone else. Oh, and keep looking at our baby and dog too. Just everyday people” b.s.
I don’t think the outlet shopping is BS.
She was raised very thrifty. Even during her dating William years she and her mom would swap clothes to expand her wardrobe. The Middletons aren’t as wealthy as they want the world to think. Anyways, I think that’s a quality Kate holds. She spends others money and she shops for deals. Not to save money, but to have that bit of control. That you lowered the price and pay what you want.
I’m with you Eliza. It’s all PR.
I’m that person who shops only on occasion, but on that occasion I go BIG and spend way too much money. It’s like I have to take advantage of my mood and buy everything. Not sure if that’s any better than shopping all of the time.
I shop a lot–when the schedule permits, that is. It’s a great stress reliever, and I get a “high” when I find a good bargain. It just takes frequent gut-checking/self-discipline to make sure I don’t cross the line into shopaholic or hoarder territory. I’m sure KM has to do the same–although her budget is much, much larger than the average person’s, it still exists. There are plenty of worse vices and hobbies she could have–the oft-revered Diana could name a few.
Considering the items she’s said to buy and for how much that don’t get used. I doubt she’s holding to a budget.
And Diana was a master shopper as well.
FLORC, do you reside in England?
As someone pointed out months ago, she shops all the time and seems to forget what she purchased. Three similar diamond necklaces. Nearly identical blue dresses. Multiple red coat dresses. Retail therapy for several hours after spending less than an hour visiting sick children in a hospital…
Mrs McC.
That’s a loaded question. You hope I say no and therefore can have no opinion in their behavior.
I did live in the UK and have noted it here before. I’ve lived in many places. I am not currently in the UK, but have quite a few friends that have homes there. 2 in London. Having paid in before and hearing directly from those currently paying in is what I go off of.
Do you live there? Do you have close ties there? Do you know the personal feelings on this subject with current residents there?
Ahh what a pity she couldn’t be thrifty with her kitchen. I think buying stuff in sales makes her feel like a normal woman, her life before she became a princess or Duchess or whatever the hell she is now. Also, for all the tax that we pay the royal family, surely she doesn’t need to go to Outlet shops. I mean you just wasted a shit ton of money unnecessarily on a bloody kitchen but you’re looking at discounted baby clothes??Which makes me think its more emotional than being stingy (I hope!).
Or PR spin. She’s said to have bought bath mats. I guess someone’s got to pick out stuff for the servant’s quarters. (snark)
Good for her for having someone else’s $$ to spend. I aspire to that as well. So what if she shops? Don’t we all? I know I’m always mystified at the hordes of shoppers in malls 365 days of the year. For a lot of people, this is their sport or hobby. So it’s not so strange that a Duchess shops as well.
Bicester Village sucks. Katy should head to the U.S. for true outlet shopping. It’s not like she’s doing anything anyways.
Yeah I think she would like it here. No one would recognize her as long as she keeps her skirts down.
angelique – Very funny. Thanks for the laugh!
The sugary, Kate worshipping sites make me laugh/cringe/smh but the constant shade for her in cb articles is also predictable. When there is no middle ground it all becomes so tiresome so quickly. I am an inveterate middle-grounder, lol.
For example I have a bf who has an amazing life from the outside but she constantly shops and spends to fill a void in her life and to cope with anxiety. She hides a lot of purchases from her family and often shoves the items in her closet to be forgotten, tags and all. I also know that I would give my right arm to be in a position to do the kind of good that Kate can do. So I guess my middle ground = recognizing that there are some serious, unfathomably head scratching deficiencies in Kate’s maturity level and character development but I refuse to get so worked up about her because very few people actually warrant the insane levels of criticism (notice I didn’t say hate) that she gets here. Every Kate article here is some version of the same bimbo wag trope. Every William article here is some version of the lazy, bratty prince framework and every Harry article is some version of the hot, ginger scamp with a heart of gold. No one ever questions being so influenced in this way?
I do. We’re subjected to the writers point of view or twist. I like to have facts before forming an opinion but I do judge sometimes. It actually worries me at times how much influence the press has over our life. Who is paying them? Do any of them have integrity anymore or is it just about the dollar?
It’s the bottom line. That is always worth remembering – the first and foremost concern of any press outlet is to make money – and that means what will attract most readers and/or viewers. What really worries me is when the press covers politics, especially elections – during the last election in DK it was really hard to find nuanced and critical coverage. it was even worse on tv where the interviewers apparently have only one approach to an interview: ask the same question again and again until everyone is sick of it. It goes the other way as well – politicians reacting too quickly on big news stories, sometimes pushing through legislation due to populist reasons – you sometimes get the feeling that their main objective is to get votes and not serve the people who elect them.
artHistorian – I share your concern about media coverage of politics and elections.
I’ve been feeling very cynical lately, which isn’t nice at all.
I do . We only responding to their activity article at the time.
Switch, sugar. Elisa,
agree +1m
P George and the RF have a certain regal standard to uphold. P George as a monarch don’t need Waity ma carole lack of quality style class clothes.
What a strategy Willnot struck with ma xarole for shop spa shop vacations renovations Title at tax payers expensive and show up when he need PR in return he have baby machine and live separate
Spending tax payers millions of pound for renovation shop spa shop luxury vacation and not using KP that Waity doolittle and P Willnot will not be using as they have separate lives.
Workless lazy Waity live in Buckleberry with ma carole while Willnot AH HG and Baby PG live with nannies. Workless waity doolittle ma carole life for Waity next 60 years – shop til you drop at pretend ‘thrifty’ at expensive designer outlets! No royal style or class!
I may be minority here but I don’t mind Kate’s shopping at all. Mind you i am not a British citizen so it may not count for anything. AFAIK Diana shopped like crazy too. She is a rich woman who loves shopping, there is nothing unusual about that. I just want to see the clothes. She shops everyday so she has many many clothes. But we always see the same dresses on her. It is the hypocrisy of her “thrifty” ways that gets to me tbh.
1) Diana worked hard from day one.
2) Kate Middleton is not rich. She is spending her father-in-law’s money (which technically is the taxpayer’s money)
3) We are constantly told she cannot work for her charities because she is busy being a full-time stay-at-home mom (with multiple nannies, cooks, housekeepers, and 27 office staff to arrange her schedule and do her correspondence). And yet she spends hours every week shopping, at the beauty parlour, etc.
DSnark – I agree with you that balanced and analytical reporting is important. And I appreciate your perspective on this blog so much that I always read your comments when I see them.
However, I especially like this blog **because** it is biased and even the blog name sets an honest expectation for readers. There is never pretense about balanced journalism or in-depth reporting. I know where to go if I want more balanced journalism. I’m sure you know DSW that your desire for less biased coverage of the BRF is just not gonna happen on this blog cuz you know this is all about the bitching.
Excellent point. A blog titled ‘Celebitchy’ is not where you go for balanced journalism or in-depth reporting. We’re here for the snark!
MinnFinn
Your point is one that FLORC often reminds me of as well. When I remember that it puts things back in focus, lol. Thank you for your comment 🙂
Dame
You can never really shake that bias. Also, yea it’s in the name!
And who really goes to a site to read an article and keeps coming back to say good things only? And to have others just agree with them while we all pat each other on the backs?
I do appreciate some of the negative comments here. Not the super bad ones, but the negative ones. That gets a conversation going!
And Harry gets the bad ones. He’s no saint. Just a ginge that stands next to children or shares a tent with the hot vamp skarsgard. Wasn’t he torn apart while seeing Cressida? And their weekend vacation wasn’t good either.
And i’m on board with the arrested development theory on Kate. She’s regressed. I dont’ say that to hate on her. Only as an observation that no one should put themselves 2nd to please a spouse. Not a great image to send out and a terrible waste of a fantastic education.
Although, like you and others sometimes it’s too much. I just need to shut down the mobile and walk away. Negativity, even in debate format, isn’t so great. And I can scream all day at people here to be nice, but it won’t change a thing.
I come to this site once or twice a week because I’m a Brit who lives in the US. I, too, don’t ‘hate’ Kate. But a) could she please spend (Charlie’s) money on some fantastic rags? b) why ever has she wasted an excellent Scottish education c) has she never noticed how the other European royals present themselves d) I agree with the ‘Dame’ who is onto something eg arrested development.
I detest shopping, but if that’s how Kate wants to spend her time, more power to her. I really don’t care about that. You know she’s certainly not going step up her game and work more.
Let’s hope that Kate has heard our cry and she was shopping for a new casual outfit and get rid of those jeggings.
And the wedges. Praise Jesus!!!
I don’t know why the press makes such a big deal about Kate shopping at thrift shops. I can see why people are happy that she’s not buying expensive clothes every time but I think she can shop where she wants. If all she wore was expensive things I wouldn’t care.
Of course she shops — bespoke, high end, and designer outlet (which doesn’t make her thrifty). We all know that. It’s where she is shopping that makes me curious. The fact that she spends so much time near Birkshire and her family (and away from her home and duties) is telling. That people say they see her shopping in the outlet malls there “a lot” says she spends a lot of time in Birkshire. I understand she is close to her family, but she is also a 32 year old adult with a husband, a son, homes and public duty–a life of her own. Also, does anyone ever see her with anyone? She seems to always be shopping alone. Again, telling. Furthermore, I thought I had read that she was supposed to be at Balmoral and in Norfolk overseeing -in a “very hands on” way- the final renovations at Anmer. And a dedicated busy full-time mum as well. May be she just went for a quick weekend to visit her family and needed/wanted a few hours away to check out the shops. Just seems to me like she has a whole lot of extra time on her hands–which for me on most days is a luxury far more extravagant that any royal frock or jewel. Finally, I’m wondering if PW is also in Birkshire with her? And PG as well? Are we once again being given the PR spin or am I seriously off base?
Many think what you’re saying is fact:
– The majority of her time is spent shopping and pampering herself (3xweek at the salon, etc.). This was also true when the Palace insisted she was a full-time housewife in Wales, but was caught in London 3x a week.
– They leave the baby behind to vacation – at least four times this year – but use him as an excuse to fail to do their royal duties
– She is at her parents house more than her own, wasting $20,000/day in taxpayer money every time she is with her parents instead of in one of the multiple homes provided by the taxpayers
– Her husband deliberately chooses not to spend time with her or PGTips (proven by Kate Middleton’s own public comments)
– They live separate lives which will be easier to see with the Anmer move
– Her only friends are her mother and sister
Notasugarhere
If this is true we will find out after everything is said and done.
And regarding Kate’s comments about how William was away. He should be ashamed. Truly. Go be with your infant son since you’re not finishing your bespoke certification like you said. You’ll never get those days back!