Why LK Bennett remains the Duchess of Cambridge's secret style weapon after more than a decade

Any follower of the Duchess of Cambridge’s style will be familiar with her LK Bennett ‘Sledge’ pumps. The beige patent-leather round-toe heels with a small platform sole were an intrinsic part of her look in the early days of her marriage and life as a working royal, back in 2011.

There were also the ‘Greta’ espadrille wedges from the brand – she most famously wore them on the day after her wedding with a Zara dress, as she and William departed for their ‘minimoon’, not to mention the Fern and Floret courts that she wore on a regular basis.

Those styles look a little dated now – we’re more likely to see Kate attending engagements in her favourite suede Gianvito Rossi heels – but she hasn’t lost her love for the LK Bennett brand.

Kate continues to source looks from the high street stalwart today, the most recent being a pale lavender blue dress from its Royal Ascot collection, which she wore to launch the new Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood on Friday.

The £225 stretch crepe ‘Dee’ shift was classic Kate: knee-length with a sweetheart neckline and slightly puffed sleeves. It’s a new purchase, but it looks so timeless that I wouldn’t have been surprised if she claimed she’d had it in her wardrobe for ten years.

You could say the same about the £225 beige patent ‘Milly’ handbag she carried when she joined Jill Biden for a visit to a school in Cornwall during the G7 Summit. Ditto for the ‘Cayla’ dress and ‘Liv’ jumper that she wore for video calls during the national lockdowns last year.

Lena cream and black polka-dot jumpsuit with jewelled buttons, £395; Gabby floral silk blazer, £250, matching trousers, £175; Saffron dress, £325, all LK Bennett

And that’s the secret to LK Bennett’s success, because it really nails classic formalwear. Though it was rescued from administration in 2019, and has struggled during the pandemic – sales dropped because its target market had no reason to buy smart, practical work and wedding wear, forcing it to close stores – it seems to be bouncing back now that socialising is on the cards again.

Though the dress Kate wore on Friday hasn’t sold out yet (there was a time when nothing she wore would stay in stock for longer than 24 hours), her support of the brand will undoubtedly help buoy its sales.

In turn, LK Bennett is leaning into the Duchess aesthetic. It has just reissued the pink silk ‘Elowen’ dress, which Kate is thought to have purchased in around 2015 and wore for a polo match in 2019. And the Lena cream and black polka-dot jumpsuit with jewelled buttons, £395, is reminiscent of the Alessandra Rich dress Kate wore for Prince Charles’ 70th birthday portrait.

LK Bennett may have a reputation for being a little sleepy and staid, but it’s an untapped resource for the fashion lover. Take the Toile de Jouy cotton top with a black ribbon at the collar (£125), or the Gabby floral silk blazer (£250) and trousers (£175). There are some great shirt dresses too, including the Jamois (£225) and the yellow gingham Saffron (£325).

Much of the current summer season stock is on sale now too, so it’s worth a browse for some bargains. Just steer clear of those ‘Sledge’ pumps – leave them back in 2011, where they belong.

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