In a move that highlights her growing influence within the Royal Family, Catherine Middleton is set to break from decades of tradition and bestow royal warrants – the first time a Princess of Wales has done so in more than a century.
This prestigious task, once a hallmark of Queen Elizabeth II’s reign, marks another significant step in Kate Middleton’s journey as a senior royal, underscoring her increasing role in shaping the monarchy’s modern image.
The last Princess of Wales to issue a royal warrant was Mary of Teck, who issued them before her husband, George V, took the throne in 1910.
King Charles began issuing warrants as the Prince of Wales in 1980, although this job was not given to Princess Diana after their wedding the following year.
A royal warrant is a sign of excellence, awarded to businesses or individuals who have regularly supplied goods or services to the royal household. It lasts for up to five years at a time, and can often drive significant growth for recipients.
With the ‘Kate Effect’ adding a reported £1 billion to the British fashion industry, a nod from the Princess of Wales is one of the highest honours a brand can receive. Alexander McQueen is top of the list of those who are expected to be awarded a royal warrant, with other potential favourites including handbag brand Strathberry, tweed clothing range Holland Cooper, and accessories label Emmy London.
Alexander McQueen
Considered Catherine’s go-to fashion house, it’s no secret that Alexander McQueen holds a special place in her wardrobe.
Sarah Burton is one the Princess of Wales’s loyal designers, and even created her wedding dress for Alexander McQueen
The Princess of Wales still wears Alexander McQueen after Sarah’s departure from the design house, as at the Westminster Abbey carol service in December
From her wedding gown to the red double-breasted coat that she wore for her milestone return at the Together At Christmas carol concert last December, the British fashion house has been behind some of the royal’s most iconic looks.
Catherine Walker
Catherine Walker is responsible for some of Kate’s most regal outfits, and also many of Princess Diana’s famous looks.
Princess Diana’s favourite designer became one of Kate’s, too. She is often seen in Catherine Walker, most recently at Remembrance Sunday in 2024
Catherine Walker designed the dignified, military-inspired coat that the Princess of Wales chose for Remembrance Sunday last year. She also designed the coat dress that Kate wore to the funeral of Prince Philip in 2021.
Jenny Packham
From Hollywood premieres to King Charles’s Coronation weekend, Kate has turned to British designer Jenny Packham for some of her most high-profile occasions.
Jenny Packham’s glamorous contribution to the Princess of Wales’s wardrobe cannot be overlooked either. Who can forget Kate’s gold dress for the No Time To Die premiere?
The Princess knows she can trust Packham’s sleek gowns with a touch of glitter to make her feel her best when the eyes of the world are on her. They’re a match made in style heaven.
Strathberry
The Edinburgh-based luxury brand has long been a go-to for many of the royal ladies.
The brand Strathberry is quickly becoming a favourite with all the royal ladies, with Kate building up a large collection of its bags
The Duchess of Edinburgh, Zara Phillips and Princess Eugenie all carry its bags. Kate, too, seems to have the handbag designer on speed dial and has built up quite a collection.
Holland Cooper
Holland Cooper blends British heritage with modern designs, creating women’s fashion that is both stylish and functional.
Jade Holland Cooper’s brand has contributed to many of Kate’s stand-out looks
Thanks to its focus on quality and craftsmanship, Kate gravitates towards the brand’s tweed and tartan coats and blazers, which are both elegant and practical.
Emmy London
Kate has worn 16 pairs of shoes and nearly as many handbags from Emmy London. She has them in a rainbow of colours, making them the perfect accompaniment to her working wardrobe.
Kate Middleton was spotted wearing Emmy London’s Josie heels, in a stunning shade of dark forest green, at Sandringham in 2019
The company identifies as a slow fashion brand and adopts a sustainable approach.
Catherine Zoraida
Catherine Zoraida’s designs have been a go-to for Kate since 2012 – the same year the Colombian-born jeweller set up her online business.
Kate wore Catherine Zoraida earrings to one of her few engagements last year, when she met with members of the emergency services who helped during the Southport stabbings
Turning to the brand countless times, including her poignant visit to Southport last October, the princess has made a huge impact on sales with a 500% lift whenever she is seen in a pair of earrings.
Kiki McDonough
Princess Diana was a fan, Queen Camilla loves the pendants, and Kate Middleton owns at least 20 pieces from British jeweller Kiki McDonough.
The Princess seen visiting the Anna Freud Centre wearing her Kiki McDonough earrings
Its citrine drop earrings seem to be her favourite style and have been spotted at more than 40 engagements.
Brora
The Princess of Wales has long had a love for warm knitwear, and one of her most-worn jumpers, which frequently makes an appearance near Christmas time, is from Brora.
Kate Middleton looked warm in her Brora cardigan as she attended a party for families of military personnel deployed in Cyprus in 2018
The luxury cashmere manufacturer, whose Scottish knitwear is hand-produced using 200-year-old mills, also hits the sustainability mark, too.
Beulah London
When it comes to combining style and social consciousness, Beulah London will certainly be in consideration.
The Princess of Wales has always been a fan of Beulah, as the founders have committed to supporting trafficked women through offering them employment opportunities
Founded by Lady Natasha Rufus Isaacs and Lavinia Richards, the fashion house is known for giving back. The founders have committed to supporting vulnerable and trafficked women, especially through employment.
LK Bennett
Kate catapulted LK Bennett’s now-iconic Sledge shoe to fame in 2011. The shoe has garnered numerous headlines over the years and even featured in an exhibit about royal style in the V&A museum.
Kate wore an LK Bennett Madison dress in purple silk when she visited the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge in 2022
Since then she has often turned to the High Street brand, including when she wore a recycled floral dress when unveiling the first official portrait of the Prince and Princess of Wales at the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge.
Burberry
From tailored blazers to ruched midi dresses and bow blouses, the Princess of Wales has mastered the art of incorporating Burberry’s heritage checks and playful plaid into her wardrobe. The firm already holds a royal warrant, but the Princess could grant it another one.
The Princess of Wales has effortlessly mastered the art of incorporating Burberry’s heritage checks into her wardrobe
The iconic, quintessentially British luxury fashion house was founded in 1856. It is likely to be in the running as the Princess is keen to recognise British skills and industry.
Mulberry
The brand is synonymous with British style, and the Princess of Wales has carried 16 of its handbags to date.
Princess Kate’s Mulberry white Amberley bag has made ten appearances (seen above at Wimbledon in 2022)
From clutches to totes, an array of Mulberry bags have accessorised Kate’s outfits over the years, with the white Amberley reigning supreme with ten appearances.
Karin Herzog
Kate Middleton’s radiant complexion is thanks to Karin Herzog’s oxygen-infused skincare line – in particular the Vita-A-Kombi 1 Anti-Ageing Face Cream.
The Princess of Wales has been using Karin Herzog’s Swiss skin cream for years and credits the product for her radiant complexion
Karin Herzog is a Swiss pioneer of oxygen beauty treatments, which work by delivering the cleansing properties of oxygen gas deep down into the skin to destroy bacteria.
Jo Malone
Turning to Jo Malone for her signature scent, Kate scented Westminster Abbey with Jo Malone’s Orange Blossom candles on her wedding day.
Westminster Abbey smelled of Jo Malone’s Orange Blossom candles when Prince William and Kate Middleton wed in April 2011
It is reported that the royal also enjoys the cologne from the British fragrance house, which is synonymous with simple, elegant scents.
