Despite their wealth and lavish residences, several members of the British royal family have developed a reputation for being remarkably careful with money. From Kate’s recycled outfits to King Charles’s mended socks, frugality remains a royal tradition.
Kate Middleton has long been nicknamed ‘Thrifty Kate’ by the British press, thanks to her habit of keeping expenses under control despite the considerable wealth and privileges associated with royal life.
The Princess of Wales is far from the only member of the Windsor family known for watching the pennies. Her approach to spending reflects a tradition that dates back to Queen Elizabeth II, who was famously reluctant to waste money, even when it came to the running of royal residences.
From rewearing clothes and shopping at charity stores to avoiding unnecessary household staff, Kate has developed a reputation for making practical choices that contrast with the extravagant image often associated with royalty.
Kate Middleton’s approach to royal frugality
Kate’s wardrobe is perhaps the clearest example of her spending habits. Rather than constantly introducing new outfits, she frequently brings back dresses, coats and accessories she has worn at previous public appearances.
Her approach to household spending is reportedly just as practical. During renovations at Forest Lodge, the new Windsor residence she shares with Prince William, Kate is said to have personally negotiated with workers to secure more favourable prices.
When it comes to furnishing rooms, she reportedly turns to Ikea and local charity shops rather than relying exclusively on expensive interior designers and luxury retailers. She has also been spotted shopping with her children, including for Halloween costumes at a local supermarket while staying at Anmer Hall in Norfolk.
Her approach to domestic life is equally understated. Apart from a limited number of assistants and cleaning staff, Kate has reportedly avoided employing a full-time royal household team. Since her marriage, she has also preferred to cook at home rather than rely on a private royal chef, a habit she is said to be passing on to George, Charlotte and Louis.
Family holidays are another area where the Waleses reportedly favour practicality. Apart from trips to destinations such as Mustique and the Isles of Scilly, they often spend their breaks at royal properties surrounded by countryside, making use of the family’s existing residences.
Queen Elizabeth II made frugality a royal tradition
Kate appears to have inherited some of her habits from Queen Elizabeth II, whose reputation for careful spending was well established at Buckingham Palace.
The late monarch was reportedly in the habit of switching off lights herself when leaving rooms, while household staff were instructed not to use light bulbs exceeding 40 watts.
Rather than relying heavily on central heating or fireplaces, Elizabeth sometimes preferred inexpensive electric heaters purchased from department stores.
Her approach extended to clothing. Coats were repaired rather than replaced, and she continued wearing outfits that had been in her wardrobe for decades.
Even the royal stables were subject to her economy-minded rules. Elizabeth reportedly encouraged staff to reuse old newspapers as bedding for horses, while kitchen workers were once instructed to find another use for a lemon that had already been used to decorate a dish.
Christmas was no exception. Gifts were expected to remain inexpensive, and according to royal anecdotes, the Queen would collect wrapping paper and ribbons after opening presents on Christmas Eve, have them pressed and save them for the following year.
King Charles and the habit of repairing rather than replacing
King Charles III has inherited many of his mother’s attitudes towards waste and spending, applying them both to his personal life and the management of royal properties.
His household kitchens reportedly make extensive use of ingredients grown in royal gardens, while leftovers are often incorporated into meals the following day.
The monarch is also known for keeping clothes for years and having damaged items repaired instead of buying replacements. Even his socks are reportedly mended rather than discarded.
His approach to royal finances has also attracted attention, with reports suggesting that staff salaries within his household are comparatively modest when measured against those offered by other royal families.
Princess Anne is the ultimate recycling royal
If Kate has earned a reputation for being thrifty, Princess Anne could arguably claim the title of the most economical Windsor.
The Princess Royal frequently travels by train rather than relying on a private driver and is known for maintaining a relatively modest lifestyle despite her position.
Reports about her household suggest that meals at Gatcombe Park, her country residence, can be surprisingly simple, sometimes featuring supermarket ready-made food and inexpensive desserts.
Her wardrobe is another example of her resistance to unnecessary spending. Anne continues to wear coats, dresses and hats dating back to the 1970s and 1980s, seeing little reason to replace perfectly usable clothes.
For her second wedding to Sir Timothy Laurence in December 1992, she reportedly wore an outfit she had already appeared in at Royal Ascot earlier that year.
Even her hairstyle reflects her practical approach. Her distinctive bouffant, which has remained largely unchanged since the 1960s, is reportedly styled by Anne herself in about five minutes each morning, without the need for regular salon appointments.
Younger royals embrace second-hand fashion
The younger generation of the royal family also appears to be following the tradition, although their circumstances are somewhat different. Many do not carry out official royal duties on behalf of the King and therefore do not have access to the same financial arrangements as working members of the family.
Lady Louise Windsor, the daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, has attracted attention for her relatively ordinary lifestyle. She reportedly completed her university studies without relying on extravagant arrangements and has been photographed travelling by train, even sitting on the floor when no seats were available.
Zara Tindall, Princess Anne’s daughter, has also embraced a practical approach to family spending, reportedly passing clothes and accessories between her children rather than constantly buying new items.
Lady Amelia Windsor, a cousin of William and Harry, has taken the sustainable fashion message further. Working as a model, she has become an advocate of vintage clothing, second-hand shopping and more environmentally conscious fashion choices.
Her approach challenges the culture of luxury consumption often associated with the fashion industry, promoting pre-owned clothing as an alternative to constant designer shopping.
Pippa Middleton and the reputation for small tips
Not everyone in Kate’s wider family has escaped the label of being overly careful with money.
Pippa Middleton, who is married to wealthy financier James Matthews, is certainly not short of financial resources. Yet reports from neighbours near the couple’s Berkshire home, reportedly worth more than £20 million, suggest that she has developed a reputation for being less than generous.
According to the British press, her visits to local pubs and restaurants have prompted complaints about the size of her tips. Some customers and staff have reportedly used the expression ‘stingy tipper’ when referring to Kate’s younger sister.
For a family surrounded by extraordinary wealth and privilege, the reputation of being careful with every penny may seem surprising. But within the House of Windsor, frugality has long been treated not simply as a financial choice, but as a way of avoiding unnecessary extravagance.
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