Kate Middleton dons a FOURTH recycled coat to avoid outshining on royal train tour, says stylist

The Duchess of Cambridge has sported a recycled luxury designer coat for the fifth time in a row during her whistle-stop royal train tour of the UK.

Kate finished her engagements alongside Prince William, both 38, and the Queen, as the royal family – including Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall – shared a socially-distanced reunion at Windsor Castle.

The royal sported an elegant green Catherine Walker coat, estimated to cost £3,000 and which she first wore during a tour of Ireland in March 2020.

Earlier in the day, Kate had stunned in an Alexander McQueen cover-up, which she first wore in October for the launch of her Hold Still competition, when kicking off the second day of engagements in Cardiff. 

Yesterday, Kate, who is known for her clever reuses of older garments, opted to wear a navy Hobbs coat, first worn during a visit to Wales earlier this year, while in Yorkshire, after recycling a frosty blue Catherine Walker garment when in Edinburgh.

She started the tour at Euston station by re-wearing a smart green Alexander McQueen coat to board the Royal Train for the first of nine stops on the couple’s whirlwind 48 hour, 1,250-mile tour. 

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge stand near the Queen as they appear at Windsor Castle together, this afternoon

Kate sported a green Catherine Walker coat - estimated to cost £3,000 - which she first wore during a tour of Ireland in March 2020 (pictured)

Kate sported a green Catherine Walker coat – estimated to cost £3,000 – which she first wore during a tour of Ireland in March 2020 (pictured)

The Duchess of Cambridge, 38, stunned in an Alexander McQueen long-line cover-up (pictured) when kicking off the second day of engagements in Cardiff

She first wore the coat in October for the launch of her Hold Still competition (pictured)

The Duchess of Cambridge, 38, stunned in an Alexander McQueen long-line cover-up (pictured left), which she first wore in October for the launch of her Hold Still competition (pictured right), when kicking off the second day of engagements in Cardiff

According to celebrity stylist Rochelle White, the mother-of-three is being ‘strategic’ with her fashion choices as she tries to avoid outshining the reason for the couple’s tour, which is to thank frontline workers for their efforts during Covid-19

Kate’s bespoke Alexander McQueen red coat is estimated to have cost around £2990, while her Hobbs garment is priced at £349.

Celebrity stylist and fashion expert Rochelle White said: ‘I think that the Duchess of Cambridge has been quite strategic with her outfits. 

‘She knows that the world media is on her and that a lot of time there tends to be a focus on what she is wearing more than the cause. 

‘On this tour she wants the main focus to be all about what herself and William are doing and not so much her outfits.’

Yesterday, Kate (pictured with Prince William), who is known for her clever rewears of older garments, opted to wear a navy Hobbs coat, first worn during a visit to Wales earlier this year

Yesterday, Kate (pictured with Prince William), who is known for her clever rewears of older garments, opted to wear a navy Hobbs coat, first worn during a visit to Wales earlier this year

The Duchess of Cambridge pictured alongside Prince William, when first wearing the navy blue Hobbs coat during a visit to Wales earlier this year

The Duchess of Cambridge pictured alongside Prince William, when first wearing the navy blue Hobbs coat during a visit to Wales earlier this year

She added: ‘I believe that Kate is still a “normal girl” at heart and has no issue rewearing her garments. She has picked items that are practical and keep her warm during this time. 

‘She wants to make sure that most of the attention is based on what they are doing and not what designer she is wearing.  

‘As we know people are inspired by Kate and anything she touches. It’s good that she can be thrifty and upcycle where possible… and that she isn’t spending on lots of new clothes for this tour. ‘ 

Kate recycled a teal Catherine Walker coat first worn during a tour of Norway in 2018 as she joined Prince William for the first stop of their Christmas Express tour in Edinburgh yesterday

Kate recycled a teal Catherine Walker coat first worn during a tour of Norway in 2018 as she joined Prince William for the first stop of their Christmas Express tour in Edinburgh yesterday 

The Duchess first wore the frosty blue Catherine Walker coat during her royal tour of Scandinavia in 2018 (pictured)

The Duchess first wore the frosty blue Catherine Walker coat during her royal tour of Scandinavia in 2018 (pictured)

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge embarked on a journey across the country on the royal train on Sunday, visiting cities including Edinburgh and Manchester yesterday, to pay tribute in person to the people that have gone above and beyond in response to the Covid-19 crisis. 

They stepped out this morning for their first engagement at Cardiff Castle, with the couple sharing a tender moment as they visited a Toast Your Own Marshmallow stall. 

The mother-of-three recycled an Alexander McQueen long-line coat and paired it with a red tartan scarf and matching skirt.

The Duchess donned her black Ralph Lauren boots for the occasion, and stayed warm with a pair of black leather gloves. 

Kate also demonstrated her thrifty approach to dressing by re-wearing her Alexander McQueen coat and donning a tartan scarf first worn in 2016 to kick off her royal train tour on Sunday

Kate also demonstrated her thrifty approach to dressing by re-wearing her Alexander McQueen coat and donning a tartan scarf first worn in 2016 to kick off her royal train tour on Sunday

Meanwhile the mother-of-three donned her £15 Maple Leaf tartan scarf from York scarves, which she first wore during her tour of Canada in 2016

Meanwhile the mother-of-three donned her £15 Maple Leaf tartan scarf from York scarves, which she first wore during her tour of Canada in 2016 

She swept her hair into a bouncy half updo, revealing her gold hoop earrings from independent Welsh designer Hayley Jones’ brand Spells of Love.

As the couple arrived at their first stop of the royal tour in Edinburgh yesterday, Kate gave a sweet tribute to her late mother-in-law Princess Diana.

The Duchess opted to wear her sapphire and diamond earrings for the occasion, which Prince William gifted to her from his late mother’s jewellery box.

Kate was first seen wearing the set in public in 2011 before the couple embarked on their tour of America. 

The Duchess first wore her forest green Alexander McQueen coat while visiting Bradford earlier this year  (pictured)

The Duchess first wore her forest green Alexander McQueen coat while visiting Bradford earlier this year  (pictured)

The trip has been organised so the couple can thank frontline workers, volunteers, care home staff, teachers, schoolchildren and young people and hear about their experiences and sacrifices, as well as the inspirational work they have done throughout this life-changing year.

Details of the engagements will be kept secret until the couple’s arrival so as not to encourage crowds. 

The Duke and Duchess will meet the Queen for a heart-warming family engagement at the end of a nationwide ‘Christmas Express’ tour on the royal train on Tuesday.

The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall will also be present at Tuesday’s event, offering a show of unity from senior members of the Royal Family for people and organisations across the country who have gone ‘above and beyond’ in response to the coronavirus pandemic. 

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge appeared in high spirits as they spoke with students from the University of Cardiff and enjoyed a gift exchange

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge appeared in high spirits as they spoke with students from the University of Cardiff and enjoyed a gift exchange 

Kate wowed in pillar-box red as she and Prince William, 38, kicked off the second day of their royal tour today in Cardiff by toasting marshmallows together

Kate wowed in pillar-box red as she and Prince William, 38, kicked off the second day of their royal tour today in Cardiff by toasting marshmallows together