When it comes to the Princess of Wales’s royal wardrobe, there are a few familiar favorites we’ve come to expect: Alexander McQueen tailoring, a penchant for pearls, and the occasional baker boy hat. But for her latest outing, Kate Middleton offered an unexpected co-sign for one of 2026’s buzziest accessory trends: the squashed bag.
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Arriving for the Enthronement Ceremony to install Dame Sarah Mullally as the first female Archbishop of Canterbury this afternoon, the Princess carried a classic Chanel flap bag, which, for the eagle-eyed onlooker, appeared pre-crumpled. The slightly squashed shape, carried as a clutch, echoed Matthieu Blazy’s runway iterations this season, which appeared over-stuffed, slipping open, and purposefully disheveled. Paired with a checked tailored coat dress—a Princess of Wales signature—the choice of bag hinted at a new direction for her usually pared-back accessories, which now also includes wide-brimmed hats in similar statement check patterns.
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