Like the royals before her, Kate Middleton's accessory of choice is a clutch. The Duchess of Cambridge keeps different styles in rotation, from solid colors to prints, and usually matches them to her dresses and skirt suits [1]. We have yet to see her rocking a "work tote" or backpack — and we likely won't. Why?
According to Myka Meier, founder of Beaumont Etiquette [2], Kate carries a clutch so she can "hold her bag in front of her in both hands when shaking hands might be awkward." Apparently, it's also protocol that you don't shake hands [3] with any member of the royal family, unless, of course, they reach out first.
You'll notice Kate's always holding her clutch in photos, similarly to how Princess Diana often shielded herself with the accessory [4]. There's a good fashion reason for only carrying clutches too [5]: they simply look more polished. We can't exactly imagine Kate lugging around a giant tote bag for her royal engagements, after all. Read on to see Kate's clutch moments, then find out why Meghan Markle's top handle bag [6] is causing a stir.
Kate visited the Dräi Eechelen Museum in Luxembourg on May 2017 and wore a pastel blue coat by Emilia Wickstead and LK Bennett beige pumps. She carried a matching nude clutch by Etui.
Kate attended the British Academy Film Awards [8] in February 2017 wearing an Alexander McQueen dress and carried a black satin clutch from the label.
During Kate's official visit to Poland and Germany [9] in July 2017, the Duchess of Cambridge attended the Queen's Birthday Garden Party in a Gosia Baczynska dress and carried a Prada clutch.
On the second day of the royal tour of Poland and Germany [10] on July 2017, Kate wore a pretty floral dress by Erdem and carried an Etui clutch.
On July 2017, Kate wore a Markus Lupfer bird print dress [11] and accessorized with a clutch from Anne Grand-Clément.
Kate Middleton wore a lace Temperley London [12] dress during an outing for World Mental Health Day in October 2017. She carried a black Mulberry clutch.
Kate Middleton wore an Alexander McQueen coat [13] and carried a clutch by Anne Grand-Clément during a commemoration event on July 2017.
Kate wore this pink Orla Kiely dress [14] to the Charities Forum Event at Paddington Station in October 2017. She accessorized with Tod's black suede pumps and her trusty Mulberry clutch.