For years there has been a 'Kate effect' as royal fans rush to copy the Duchess of Cambridge's Princess-worthy looks. Now there is the 'George' and 'Charlotte' effect too. However, dressing your child like a Prince or Princess will be slightly more difficult as the Duchess, née Kate Middleton, sources many of her children's clothes from Spain.
Princess Charlotte in a £21 m&h dress
The pink dress in last week's portraits of Princess Charlotte was from m&h which is sold in Valladolid, Madrid and Valencia, while another go-to brand is Amaia Kids, based in London but owned by Spaniard Amaia Arrieta.
The influence of Kate's Spanish nanny Maria Teresa Turrion Borrallo has been key here. But just why are these clothes so suitable for the royal babies?
m&h was founded in 2009
Spanish children tend to be more formally dressed than British ones. With her classic, elegant taste the mother-of-two is naturally drawn to styles that look timeless, whether it’s for herself or her children.That’s lucky because in hundreds of years time there will still be interest in early portraits of George and Charlotte so their outfits must stand the test of time – Kate has ensured there will be nothing faddy or dated to distract the eye.
The mother of Charlotte's nanny picked out this bonnet as a present
The composition of Princess Charlotte’s christening pictures showed that the Duchess, a history of art graduate, who studied the Florentine masters, has an acute sense of history.This was in evidence when Her Royal Cuteness left the hospital just hours after her birth. Charlotte was wearing a woolen bonnet from Irulea, a family business founded 82 years ago in the northern city of San Sebastian.
The mother of her nanny Maria Teresa picked out the clothes before the little girl was born and her daughter gave them as a present to the Duke and Duchess. "It was made in our shop, it's all handmade," owner Ayago Villar exlusively confirmed to HELLO! "Everything she was buying was for newborns, she wanted the most handmade items, very simple items, nothing ostentatious."
Prince George visiting his newborn sister dressed in a cardigan by Amaia Kids
Bonnie Princess Charlotte also wore a charming Irulea set for her first official pictures, in which she appeared with brother George.
The quality of handmade bespoke items also means they can be kept for posterity or even recycled. When George attended the Trooping the Colour ceremony this year, he actually wore an outfit that William wore years before in 1984 to the same event.What's the betting that Charlotte's bonnet makes an appearance when she herself has children and is ready to present them on the steps of St Mary's Hospital.