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Behold: 12 Handbags Kate Middleton Constantly Wears (and Re-Wears), Starting at $37

Including leather, suede and glitter favorites

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kate middleton's favorite handbags
Dasha Burobina for PureWow

Who can resist the appeal of a new purse…especially when it receives the royal seal of approval from none other than Kate Middleton herself? (Not me.) Whether it’s in the form of royal portraits or official royal outings, the Princess of Wales has solidified herself as a symbol of refined style that’s often akin to the late Princess Diana, yet there’s no denying that Kate’s handbag collection is hers entirely. The royal is often seen wearing compact and structured top-handles from brands like Demellier, Polene and Mulberry; and while she occasionally styles them as grounding pieces for bright ensembles or pops of color against neutral-toned clothes, she typically opts for pieces that complete her monochromatic outfits. I'm constantly looking to dissect and recreate her style (peep these affordable Ann Taylor heels that look exactly like hers), so I compiled a list of Kate Middleton’s favorite handbags of all time to shop. (You can thank me later.)

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Best Overall Handbag

1. Demellier The Leather Nano Montreal Bag

Demellier

The Nano Montreal handbag from Demellier London is Kate Middleton’s favorite handbag for a reason, folks. For one, it’s ultra-chic and compact, making it a hassle-free option for when you’re on the go, yet it’s spacious enough to fit the essentials, such as your phone, keys, cards and lipstick. It also boasts luxe details like a striking gold bar closure, versatile add-ons, such as a removable (and adjustable!) cross-body strap and is made with superb craftsmanship. In fact, Demellier incorporates real cowhide leather that’s sustainably sourced from suppliers certified by the European Leather Working Group in Italy and Spain. The result? A soft and smooth leather texture with a subtle lustrous shine. From sporting the Deep Toffee Smooth colorway at the celebration for the Hold Still book release and the Forward Trust event to again reaching for it an official outing to Scarborough with Prince William, the Nano has clearly received the royal stamp of approval. (And the slightly larger Midi version comes in more colors, too.)

Best Bag for the Capsule Wardrobe

2. Longchamp Le Pliage Recycled Canvas Tote Bag

Longchamp

Just like Princess Catherine’s style stands the test of time, so does her most beloved Longchamp bag. Most iconically, the royal wore the Le Pliage canvas tote to her graduation ceremony in 2005. It’s functional, minimal and oh-so spacious, with the capability to hold an impressive amount of everyday essentials, from your laptop, books, agenda, wallet and more, securely, thanks to that zipper closure. It also has a really unique design that can fold down into the size of a paperback book. Plus, the handles are long enough to sling over your shoulders comfortably without the bag digging into your armpits.

Best Editor-Approved Purse

3. Polene Numéro Sept Mini

Polene

Kate Middleton’s structured bag received high marks from PureWow’s Senior Director of Special Projects and Royals, Rachel Bowie, and former Director of Branded Content, Roberta Fiorito, in their detailed PureWow100 review. Structured to the core, this architectural purse made with certified Italian textured calf leather has clean lines and an elongated silhouette that the royal is keen on. There’s a suede interior and gold-plated stainless-steel hardware to complement the charming accessory, too. Fiorito was taken by the bag’s weightlessness. She raved, “I love that I feel almost untethered when I carry it. The mini bag doesn’t weigh me down. There’s a gold-link shoulder strap included, though I almost exclusively carry it by the removable top handle. It’s also small enough to pack in my carry-on for girls’ weekends, or to stow away in a larger work tote, and then whip it out for happy hour drinks.” The Duchess of Cambridge may not be hitting happy hour in her blue Polene beauty, but she’s proven that it’s worthy of a Glasgow outing.

Am I surprised that Princess Catherine would own a classic Chanel bag? Absolutely not. Last week, she wore the mini flap bag to an event in London commemorating the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau where she met with Holocaust survivors. The timeless black piece is made with a lambskin material and features the brand’s iconic quilted design. She even sported a burgundy-colored top handle from Chanel at the Ceremonial Welcome for the The Amir of the State of Qatar this past December, too.

Most Unique Bag

5. Strathberry Leather Mosaic Nano

Strathberry

Meet the best-selling leather Mosiac Nano bag from Strathberry. Middleton was seen carrying hers in Vanilla to Westminster Abbey for an annual Christmas carol service together with Princess Charlotte and Prince George back in December 2023. Handmade in Spain from a soft calf leather, this top handle purse makes for a suitable everyday option. Key details include: a slip-flap magnetic closure, a removable shoulder strap, suede lining and an interior slip pocket that can store receipts, loose cards or other small goodies.

Best Crossbody Bag

6. L.K. Bennett Frankie Leather Crossbody

L.K. Bennett

We all know Middleton loves a sleek top-handle. Case in point: The L.K.Bennett bag she sported during her much-anticipated Wimbledon appearance this past summer and before that in 2021 when she met with former First Lady Dr. Jill Biden in the States. While her square handbag is no longer sold on the brand’s website, I did find a stylish alternative that looks similar in structure, quality and design. Meet: the leather Frankie bag. It comes with a crossbody handle as well as a removable top handle, so when you’re channeling your inner Princess, you can wear it hands-free and close to your body. It even features new branding details throughout, including updated metalware.

Most Colorful Clutch

7. Emmy London Natasha Clutch Bag

Emmy London

Our royal insiders say it’s possible Kate loaned her candy apple red Natasha clutch to younger sister Pippa Middleton for an event hosted by the British Heart Foundation in December 2023. The bright clutch was first seen on the royal in 2017 and then again at the end of 2023 in the blue hue at a Christmas day service. That hand-crafted construction, which is comprised of premium suede throughout, is certainly unique. Even better? It’s purportedly spacious enough to hold your essentials, and there’s a zip pocket that can store smaller and more valuable items, too. I appreciate that it has a secure magnetic fastening and comes with a detachable gold and suede chain strap, though I especially love that it’s a playful way to add a pop of color to any ‘fit—formal or casual. Reader be warned: If I learned anything from the Middletons, your sister may want to ‘borrow’ it.

Best Vintage-Inspired Bag

8. Aspinal of London Midi Mayfair Bag

Aspinal of London

Calling all neutral lovers! This bag, which comes with the option of personalizing the crossbody strap with up to four initials or eight characters, makes for a one-of-a-kind piece. Kate Middleton wore hers on a visit to the Royal Opera House, styling the black croc design with a purple ensemble from Oscar de la Renta and proving that the compact accessory can stretch beyond a casual combo if desired. And did I mention that the interior has a central zipped compartment that breaks up two capacious pockets on either side?

Another “it” bag on the royal’s list of favorites? Well that’d be the Amberley leather crossbody bag from Mulberry, which she was seen holding during a visit to the Welsh Guards in honor of St David's Day in 2023. While the exact crocodile-embossed piece she wears is unfortunately no longer sold, the same purse is available in a smooth black (or white) leather that looks nearly identical to the one Kate carries. The design pays homage to classic equestrian styles with the overall structure and central details like the rider’s lock clasp, which is designed to be reminiscent of the metal in a horses’ bits and bridles. Anyone that appreciates organization (I'm looking at you, Virgos) will be pleased to discover a pocket alongside the wall and three card slots inside. The Duchess prefers to wear hers with by top handle, but did you know that there’s an option to remove it altogether and clip in crossbody straps in its place?

Best Top-Handle Bag

10. Tusting Mini Holly Leather Bag

Tusting

Originally inspired by the top-handle styles made famous by icons like Grace Kelly and Jackie Onassis in the 1950s, it’s no wonder the Holly bag is a favorite of the royal. Its miniature scope and clean, curvy lines practically scream elegant and classy. In addition to the detachable shoulder strap, the piece is equipped with a gold turn-lock and fold-over flap closure to safely secure your belongings, but I just might have to take a page out of Kate’s style guide and leave mine open for an effortless ensemble that practically embodies the quiet luxury trend.

Best Structured Bag

11. Manu Atelier Leather Mini Pristine Bag

Manu Atelier

ICYDK, Manu Atelier purses are some of Kate Middleton’s favorite handbags. The Countess of Strathearn—as she’s known in Scotland—was spotted in 2019 holding Manu Atelier’s Micro Bold Top Handle Bag for the official opening of the V&A Dundee in Scotland (according to Town & Country’s reporting). Then, in January of 2023, the princess donned the bag again on a visit to Kirkgate Market in Leeds, this time pairing her evergreen accessory with a matching rich coat to complement her look. Manu Atelier’s updated version from the current collection? The Mini Pristine handbag. It follows a similar boxy structured silhouette that Kate traditionally gravitates towards and is finished in a reddish-brown vegetable tanned calf leather shell that’s shiny, smooth and incredibly luxe, but my favorite feature has to be its unique box opening.

Best Clutch

12. Wilbur & Gussie Charlie Gold Glitter Clutch

Wilbur & Gussie

When the Prince and Princess of Wales attended the wedding ceremony of the Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah and Princess Rajwa Al Hussein in Jordan during the summer of 2023, there was truly a lot to marvel at, from the royal wedding garb to Princess Catherine’s blush-colored Elie Saab gown. Yet it was her gold glitter clutch from London-based designer label Wilbur & Gussie that caught my eye. The flashy stunner is an ideal accessory to pair with a bridesmaid’s dress, wedding guest dress or elevate any formal look, really, thanks to the glitter exterior and crystal-adorned brooch. Of course I found more unique patterns, colors and vintage styles to shop from the designer, but if you’re still not convinced by the showy elements, then wait until you unearth the practical interior pocket and functional (and luxurious!) silk wrist strap.


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Associate Fashion Commerce Editor

  • Covers all things fashion and shopping
  • Boasts over 23 years of experience as an avid shopper, having secured a personal stylist at Limited Too at the age of four
  • Studied English literature, communications and creative writing at the University of San Diego, and completed the Columbia Publishing Course at Columbia University in New York

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