Everything old is new again

Being the newest member of the Royal Family would come with a certain amount of expectation.

Being able to converse with heads of state, supporting your new family and appearing at charity functions and important events are a must.

Also, being presentable and looking the part is crucial – so then why is the Duchess of Cambridge (aka Kate Middleton) getting flack about being photographed wearing recycled outfits at recent events?

Then and now: Kate recycled a wedding outfit from 2009 (L) for Prince Philip's birthday last week.

I for one think that she is being smart – she’s come out and said that she’s not a ‘clothes horse’ and won’t wear outfits sent to her from designers to royal engagements. I think that during these hard times she wants to prove that she is normal and, like everyone else, wears an outfit more than once.

I think following the royal wedding in April and being photographed in her spectacular Alexander McQueen creation, royal watchers and those in fashion circles believed that Kate would up the ante with her choices in outfits, wearing designer here, there and everywhere.

Instead, she’s maintained loyalty to picking up threads from Topshop and Reiss, where ‘commoners’ can afford the pick up something snazzy for the weekend.

I think this just shows what most of us already know about the Duchess of Cambridge – she’s down to earth and one of us. She has spoken out and said that she is not a fashion model and it is not her job to parade around in the newest looks from the runway.

Wearing a cocktail dress that she wore on a night out on the town in 2007 (above) and wearing it again at a friend's wedding recently (below)

I really admire this about her – the Queen and Princess Anne are also known for re-wearing certain garments. I think that Kate is showing empathy and is being incredibly sensible with her wardrobe choices. In her first official royal trip overseas to Canada and the US, Kate’s entire wardrobe will cost approximately $40,000 and she is not taking a stylist with her, instead making her own choices in outfits.

This isn’t to say that she always says no to a designer gown (she’s only human, after all) and recently wore a gorgeous dusty pink Jenny Packham gown with LK Bennett shoes to a charity event in London.

 Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge arrive at an ARK charity gala dinner.

I for one think that this modern-day princess is putting her best foot forward in the fashion stakes while delivering the message that she’s always going to be true to herself, while never forgetting where she comes from despite the new life she has been married in to.