The Duchess of Cambridge has an envy-inducing shoe collection, but more often than not, the mum-of-three sports espadrilles in the summer months.
READ: Where to shop the royals' favourite espadrilles: from Kate Middleton to Meghan Markle
As well as being eternally in style, there are important health reasons why Duchess Kate might always opt to wear espadrilles. Given that Prince William's wife is regularly on her feet all day, a shoe that provides comfort and support is essential.
WATCH: Prince William and Kate view stunning new painted portrait of themselves
"When walking, the strap around the ankle on espadrilles allows the wearer to lift the footwear using their heel rather than only their toes, as is the case with backless/slip-on shoes," explains podiatrist Christophe Champo, founder of PODO Clinic and Workshop.
SEE: Love Kate Middleton's bow dress? It now comes in an amazing new colour
WOW: Love Kate Middleton's £1600 Vampire's Wife dress? This lookalike is mind-blowing
He also points out that the heel height of an espadrille gets a tick in the foot-health department. "The chunky, wide heel is generally not too high on an espadrille, so provides a strong base and reduces the risk of spraining the ankle when compared to stilettos," Christophe adds.
That said, espadrilles aren't without negatives. "The wedged heel of an espadrille pushes the body forward on the toes," explains Christophe. "This is because it doesn't allow the heel bone to sit on a flat base."
Duchess Kate regularly wows in espadrilles
This is in contrast to court shoes, another style favoured by the Duchess of Cambridge, which allow the heel of your foot to sit flat and are therefore healthier for the feet, according to Christophe.
MORE: Duchess Kate's favourite shoes are back in stock – grab them before they're gone
Duchess Kate's combination of court shoes, espadrilles and sporty trainers will keep her feet happy.
Espadrilles work for every occasion
"I feel Kate does an excellent job of wearing shoes that vary in heel height, shape and material to best suit her requirements and needs for the occasion or event she is attending," comments podiatrist Dina Gohil.
Espadrilles are supportive thanks to ankle ties
With summer on the way out, we expect Duchess Kate will be popping her espadrilles back into storage before too long…
Love the look? Shop the Duchess' shoes here
Castañer Chiara 80 canvas wedge espadrilles, £95, Net-a-Porter
SHOP NOW
Make sure you never miss a ROYAL story! Sign up to our newsletter to get all of our celebrity and royal news delivered directly to your inbox.
HELLO!'s selection is editorial and independently chosen – we only feature items our editors love and approve of. HELLO! may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page. To find out more visit our FAQ page.
