THE PRINCESS OF WALES: THE ECO QUEEN OF STYLE

As she steps back into the spotlight after treatment for cancer, confidently restyling a pre-worn outfit for a significant occasion, we look at Kate's clever knack for repurposing some of her best-loved pieces

- TRACY SCHAVERIEN

She is the world’s most influential style icon, who can turn any look into fashion gold overnight. Yet while the Princess of Wales can have her pick of new designer outfits, sometimes she simply prefers to dig out an old favourite.

Rather than constantly replenish her vast wardrobe, Kate, 42, has become adept at recycling and repurposing, adding a fresh twist and new lease of life to pieces she might not have worn for years.

The most recent notable example was at the Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph in November, when Kate made her first major public appearance in months to pay her respects to those who had lost their lives in service.

Although her black, military-style coat appeared to be one we hadn’t seen before, she had worn the Catherine Walker piece at the same event four years earlier – not that it was obvious. For, rather than simply re-wearing it, she had cleverly upcycled it by removing the epaulet tassels, replacing the pearl-effect buttons with black velvet ones and finishing the look with a black neck bow.

The Princess Royal has earned a reputation as the queen of the royal recyclers by keeping her clothes for decades, but Kate is now flying the flag for sustainability – alongside her husband the Prince of Wales, in his Earthshot mission to save the planet – while ramping up the glamour.