Princess Kate Revealed the Adorable Tradition She Has for Her Kids' Old Clothes
During a visit to Corgi textile factory in South Wales, Kate Middleton revealed she has "archived" her kids' old clothes.
For many, certain wardrobe pieces may be too cute or too sentimental to throw away. Or, perhaps, they may find more life with a new owner. No matter the reason, it's common practice to keep garments long after you've outgrown them—even for royal family members. That's right, in another display of royals really are just like us, Catherine, Princess of Wales revealed she keeps her children's old clothes.
With a closet as stylish as that of Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, 9, and Prince Louis, 6, who can blame Kate for cataloging their outfits? During a visit to Corgi textile factory in South Wales earlier this week, she shared she has "archived" her kids' clothes. She noted that the pieces "wore really well," according to Hello!
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“It’s so lovely to reuse the things that are well made,” she said at the store, which specializes in knitwear and handmade socks.
Kate has passed on quite a few articles of her kids' clothing to her brother, James Middleton, to be worn by his son Inigo, 1. James has also been the beneficiary of his other sister Pippa Middleton's kids' clothes.
"We are an affectionate and close-knit family and there are lots of hugs and laughter,” James wrote in his 2024 memoir Meet Ella: The Dog Who Saved My Life. “Catherine and Pippa bring two big suitcases of hand-me-down clothes, so Inigo’s cupboards are full of sweet little outfits his cousins—even the girls—have worn.”
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James added that, at the time, the pieces were "enormous," but Inigo quickly grew and "fit them in a blink."
James spoke to Hello! back in September about how the heartwarming practice has also allowed his sisters to reflect on their children growing up.
"They are milestones, because (my sisters) remember when their child was wearing something, and how old they were—it takes them back," James said. "It's been a lovely thing for them."
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The Wales kids are no strangers to hand-me-downs, either. Louis made headlines at Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee in 2022 for wearing his father, Prince William's, sailor suit. Charlotte also appeared to be wearing her uncle, Prince Harry's, red Mary Jane shoes during a royal tour of Germany and Poland in 2017.
It's no secret that Kate loves a rewear herself. She has famously recycled many of her favorite items over the years, and most recently, during a visit to a children's hospice in Wales, wore an old $20 Zara dress. Before then, during the Qatar state visit in December, she upcycled an old holiday look.