FIVE THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT ROYAL FASHION

The website UFO No More (here, UFO stands for Unidentified Fashion Object) has calculated that Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, spent more than $160,000 last year on the 125 new pieces for which the cost is known (the real figure is likely to be much more). She wasn’t the highest spending royal, though. That accolade goes to Princess Charlene of Monaco who totted up a bill of $221,000 on 56 out of 91 pieces. They may have clothing budgets that exceed what many of us earn in a year, but don’t despair — here are key pieces that with a bit of improvising won’t break the bank.

1 THE POWER PENCIL

Ok, so leather pencil skirt doesn’t scream regal but this is a new era in which princesses and duchesses are pushing boundaries and the power pencil has emerged as a favourite. Meghan and Queen Letizia of Spain both own the same burgundy Hugo Boss leather pencil, while Crown Princess Mary of Denmark has a few leather skirts in her repertoire.

2 THE POLISHED POLO

When it’s chilly and we have to be outside for a while, the mere mortals among us would reach for a giant scarf. But when you’re a royal, that would be a face-obscuring, silhouette-ruining no-go. The answer, then, is a very toasty polo neck as demonstrated by Princess Charlene of Monaco.

3 THE CONFERENCETO-COCKTAIL DRESS

What other item could take you from, for example, a health conference to a diplomatic soiree? Beulah’s Yahvi dress has already been a big hit with the royal cognoscenti; the Duchess of Cambridge has worn her green version twice and Crown Princess Mary of Denmark has it in red velvet.

4 THE SOLIDARITY CAMEL COAT

The sideline sartorial story to the recent royal crisis has been camel-coat-watch. Last week, the Duchess of Sussex wore one by Reiss for her visit to Canada House. Then on Sunday, the Queen was photographed in a caramel coat, with matching hat. And the Duchess of Cambridge was pictured in a cream coat on Monday.

5 THE WONDER BLAZER

A quintessential modern royal fashion formula is: black skinny jeans/tailored trousers + black polo neck + jazzy blazer. Queen Letizia of Spain’s blazer go-to is Spanish label Uterque, while Kate loves Canadian tailoring brand Smythe.