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Behold: 10 Handbags Kate Middleton Constantly Wears (and Re-Wears), Starting at $248

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, 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. (Psst…it’s available in six more colors.)

Best Editor-Approved Purse

2. Polene Numéro Sept Mini

Polene

Kate Middleton’s structured bag received high marks from PureWow’s Royally Obsessed podcast co-hosts and editors, Roberta Fiorito and Rachel Bowie, 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. “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.

Most Unique Bag

3. Strathberry Leather Mosaic Nano

Strathberry

Meet the best-selling leather Mosiac Nano bag from Strathberry. Middleton was seen last December carrying hers in Vanilla to Westminster Abbey for an annual Christmas carol service together with Princess Charlotte and Prince George. 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.

Most Colorful Clutch

4. 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 last year. The bright clutch was first seen on the royal in 2017 and then again in at the start of the new year in the lake blue hue at a Christmas day service. That hand-crafted construction, which is comprised of premium suede throughout, is certainty 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

5. 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 just last year. 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 Tote

7. Kate Spade Perfect Large Tote

Kate Spade Outlet

During the Wimbledon match between men’s singles finalists Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic last July, the Princess of Wales donned the now-retired ‘Quincy’ style by Victoria Beckham. Alas, my collection won’t be *exactly* like hers unless the designer and former Spice Girl brings it back in a future collection. Until then, I have my eye on a similar style from Kate Spade. It also offers a wide and roomy structure, plus there are plenty of slip and zip pockets inside and outside (four to be exact!). If you’re a mom of a few kiddos or someone who simply adores a “ludicrously capacious bag,” per Succession’s Tom Wambsgans—especially while it’s on sale—you’ll surely fall head over heels for the generous interior and the $299 markdown.

Best Clutch

8. 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 last summer, 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 our 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 we 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.

Best Top Handle Bag

9. 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

10. 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 it for the official opening of the V&A Dundee in Scotland. According to Town & Country’s reporting, is believed to be the Micro Bold Top Handle Bag. More recently, 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.



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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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PureWow's editors and writers have spent more than a decade shopping online, digging through sales and putting our home goods, beauty finds, wellness picks and more through the wringer—all to help you determine which are actually worth your hard-earned cash. From our PureWow100 series (where we rank items on a 100-point scale) to our painstakingly curated lists of fashion, beauty, cooking, home and family picks, you can trust that our recommendations have been thoroughly vetted for function, aesthetics and innovation. Whether you're looking for travel-size hair dryers you can take on-the-go or women’s walking shoes that won’t hurt your feet, we’ve got you covered.