Queen Elizabeth Hates Kate Middleton's Thrifty Clothing Choices

Frankly, there are no more thrifty people than some of the female members of the RF. The Princess Royal wears outfits over 20 years old on occasions, ditto the Queen - so I suspect she would earnestly approve of the Duchess' frugality.

After terribly misreading the span of Diana's appeal, it is hard to believe HRH would so badly misread Kate's appeal and the multifaceted reasons for it. When the whole world is suffering from some degree of financial ruin, setting an austerity model seems like extremely royal behavior. Sort of like her mother's decision to keep the royal family in London during the Blitz. Looking at old photos of the lovely Diana, she always appeared in "bespoke" dresses, expensive and completely out of reach for anyone else. She couldn't have raised gazillions of money fr charities auctioning her gowns if they were Pacham or McQueen off the rack. Her shoes, jewelry, and bags are surely "princessly" expensive to cover her otherwise up market off the rack clothing. Isn't showing young people that shopping sales is good financial management? Her hem.ines may be shorter than any royal lady has dared in the past, but she has fantastic legs, the muscles of said legs indicating a healthy lifestyle rather than one of a person with an eating disorder. A starving person doesn't have the energy to make those muscles, or those in her arms. Her short skirts almost seem like the "make her own fashion" statement pundits have called for since they are shorter than what most fashion magazines display. Her kohl rimmed eyes were also "out" when she first appeared daily wearing what has now become virtually her trademark and, thus, now being copied by celebrities and models. Isn't she creating her own look as requested? Final comment: if it is true the "Duchess Effect" has made billions for UK retailers, it would be a disastrous misread to try to stop her shopping habits. Every country needs a single person who can help their national economy so fabulously. If the rumors are true, where is the Tony Blair to set the record straight?

lol. I completely agree with you. I love what Kate Middleton is doing, and I hope they don't stop her.

Thank you for your reply! I was rushing, don't type well on my pad even when I'm slow, and blew my parting line. It was supposed to be: "....,where is the Tony Blair to sort out the Palace?" Of course, one would have to have been an adult in 1997 to understand the remark and to know how desperate things became the one time the Palace did misread public opinion so terribly. Moving on, I read this rumor one other place and find it hard to believe. Those so-called "men in grey" may not approve of her hemlines, but she is an adult, not a giddy teen-ager, she is married to a man who took 8 years to decide to marry her, not 11 dates while pushed by his parents to marry the last virgin in England of barely suitable age, and they sowed their wild oats, mostly together, before settling down to adult responsibilities. I don't see how this one "aberration" makes her at risk of being a loose cannon. We've all read the Queen can change behavior with a certain "look". Considering the number of official appearances Kate has made in shortish hemlines, I am quite sure she would have been told to cease and desist after the first time. The Queen is her employer, so to speak, and it is ridiculous, IMO, to give any credence to this alleged source. It implies the Queen hasn't forbade something of which she disapproves, and that is beyond belief, as is the notion Kate would disobey such an order, especially "in her face" at the first event of the incredible Diamond Jubilee. The rumor dishonors both women. I, for one, think Kate spent days considering her attire for this historic event and suspect a fair amount of Skype time with William discussing her choice occurred before her final decision. The Queen would have issued an edict long before this if it was important. As a tangent, I have wondered for years if close family members have to get clothing approved by someone high up in the food chain before high profile events and decided "definitely not" when Beatrice wore that head thing to The Wedding last year. If it WAS approved, then Granny has definitely changed with the times and a knee length skirt is nothing in comparison to what became an international joke. I'm now a bit embarrassed I spent so much time on something so unimportant compared to a worldwide recession/depression. OTOH, I am disgusted with the Kate haters when someone with wealth and privilege is apparently trying not to take advantage of that position, but rather set a good example buying off the rack, at sales, and by rewearing clothes several years old. Isn't that what the rest of us are doing? Hate=envy, one of the 7 deadly sins. I probably wrote an article here. sorry.

Oh, really... No "senior figure with the Royal Family" in the know would ever have said such a thing because it would be completely untrue. As the first commenter said, the Queen herself is one of the most frugal of people, spending money when it counts but never too proud to wear, re-wear and then wear again a good coat, hat or pair of shoes. You'll also find endless sources that will attest to the fact that the Queen is a master at reading public opinion, the one great failing at the time of Diana's death. Other than that, she knows what makes the monarchy go and what the people want. She also knows that the people want Kate. If anything, the Queen never looks more than delighted in her company. You must understand one thing... ultimately the Queen sees that she only has one thing really left to do - her story is already written... She wants to leave the House of Windsor in the best shape possible, and she surely sees that William and Kate are her best partners for that. It's also remarkable that HM did an engagement with both Camilla and Kate. This kind of joint appearance is rare at all but the most important royal events. This is so the Royals can spread their effectiveness evenly. This seemingly minor event was a message that the Queen's family is united and ready for the next generations.