The Princess of Wales ‘shows strength of character’ with her fashion choices and ‘isn’t swayed by public pressure’, a royal expert has claimed.
In this week’s Palace Confidential, the Daily Mail’s royal editor Rebecca English responded to comments made by ex-Vogue editor Suzy Mendes about Kate’s jewellery choices.
The fashion writer, 79, from Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire, labelled Kate a ‘disappointment’ when it comes to her jewllery approach in the latest episode of her podcast Creative Conversations.
She said: ‘The Princess of Wales is a bit of a disappointment about jewellery. She gives the impression that she only puts it on when she absolutely has to.’
Hitting back at this claim, Rebecca said she was ‘surprised’ by Suzy’s ‘harsh’ view on the Princess of Wales’ wardrobe.
Pictured: The Daily Mail’s Royal Editor Rebecca English responded to comments made by ex-Vogue editor Suzy Mendes about the Princess of Wales’ jewellery choices
The Daily Mail’s royal editor said the Princess of Wales doesn’t let public pressure faze her in her wardrobe choices
She said: ‘I really like how Catherine mixes up those high street, £15 Accessorize buys she gets with the really priceless gems they’ve got hidden away in the vaults at Buckingham Palace.
‘I think that’s quite relatable, so to criticise her for that was pretty unfair.’
During the discussion, host Jo Elvin commented on the pressure Kate faces – especially with her wardrobe choices – in the public eye.
Arguing that the Princess doesn’t let this pressure her, Rebecca continued: ‘I think she shows strength of character because I don’t think she’s ever been swayed by that at all.
‘She’s worn what she feels comfortable and what she feels elegant in.’
Noting how Kate often wears more ‘upmarket’ brands, the expert added: ‘She’s done it at her own pace.
‘So maybe the clothes have got grander but the jewellery is a way to keep it a bit more real.’
What’s more, the Mail on Sunday’s editor-at-large Charlotte Griffiths praised the Princess of Wales for using her platform to shed light on small, independent jewellery businesses.
Pictured: The Princess of Wales seen wearing a pair of £60 gold earrings by Spells of Love in March
Suzy Menkes, 79, from Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire, made the scathing comment on the latest episode of her podcast Creative Conversations
Left: Kate wearing Princess Diana’s pearl earrings to attend her first state banquet at Buckingham Palace with her new title last November. Right: The mother-of-three wore a pair of £17.99 ZARA rose gold dangly earrings with pretty ornate leaves to the annual BAFTAs in London
The royal watcher said: ‘Kate has made a lot of brands famous by wearing some random pair of earrings we’ve never heard of before and then they instantly fly off the shelves.’
In March, the Princess of Wales wore a pair of £60 gold twisted hoop earrings by the small business Spells of Love to visit a goat farm in Abergavenny.
Ahead of the royal engagement, the business owner had no idea that the royal had purchased the earrings – and only realised when her website was flooded with orders.
Rebecca said: ‘The owner emailed me and said, “Thank you so much for featuring it because you don’t know what it means to a business like me.”
‘Her little Welsh business is now a recognised global business. So I think wearing the grand jewels is great and they’re fun and they’re amazing. But to do things like that all the time, you lose little things like that at your peril.
Charlotte added: ‘When the Princess of Wales has to dazzle for a state occasion, she needs to dazzle with big jewels on and if she’s sparing about how often she does that, it’s more impactful. ‘
Elsewhere in the podcast, Suzy said: ‘I imagine her looking beautiful in one of those gowns behind the scenes and then pulling a face as if to say, “Do I have to wear this?”
‘She doesn’t give any sense of adoring jewellery and being pleased to put it on.’
Furthermore, the fashion critic highlighted how Queen Camilla – who visited the Monica Vinader headquarters this week – seems much more interested in gems.
Suzy added: ‘She doesn’t seem to have Camilla’s joy at wearing jewellery.’
However, the critic remains on the fence about whether Kate’s attitude towards jewellery will change as she edges closer to the throne.
She continued: ‘We now have a new Queen, so presumably she has a first opportunity to look at the jewels.
‘We can imagine that the next in line to the throne’s wife would be something that was very special, so will we see Catherine wearing jewellery that is more dramatic, that is more personal to her?
‘I don’t know. I can’t help feeling with things of beauty, you either love it or you don’t.’
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