The seven off-duty secrets Princess Kate reveals through her ‘weekend looks’ & it’s a million miles from Royal protocol

KATE Middleton dazzles royal fans with her royal outfits on her engagements and many of her looks will go down in history.

While the Princess of Wales carefully plans out each picture-perfect look, perhaps the most revealing thing about her is what she chooses to wear when she’s off duty.

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Fashion editor Amber Graafland told Fabulous: “It’s this relaxed side of the Princess, away from the whirlwind of public engagements, that is closest we get to seeing ‘the real her’.”

So, who is the “real Kate” behind the Princess of Wales?

She's a sport fanatic

Kate was filmed visiting the Windsor Farm Shop with William in her first video since her abdominal surgery in January - and we can learn a lot from her outfit choice.

Kate, 42, dressed down in a comfy hoodie and leggings, carried her own shopping as she strolled through the car park at the shop.

In the clip, she was decked out in black leggings, £128 Adidas Ultra Boost 20 Sneakers and an England Rugby Icon Hoodie Mens in Black & Orange for the shopping trip.

Amber said: “Kate is a keen sports woman.

“What was the sports loving patron of the Rugby Football Union wearing on the eve of England’s final game of the Six Nations against France on Sunday? 

“A black and orange England Rugby Icon Hoodie.”

She added: “Over the years this casual/sporty style has become the way Kate conveys that she’s off-duty. 

“Similarly to the way she uses her clothing to convey messages on public engagements, her casual sporty look speaks volumes.”

Kate revealed in a chat with the England Rugby team that she loves trampolining with her kids, Prince George, ten, Princess Charlotte, eight, and Prince Louis, five, before school, and she does wild swimming.

"Cold swimming - the colder, the better,” she revealed on a podcast with fellow-royal Mike Tindall. "I will go and seek out cold water. I love it."

She prefers 'floaty and fun' outfits

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We've seen Kate favour formal coats and pristine colour-blocked outfits for more recent royal engagements.

But in contrast to her formal looks, Kate’s individual style is more "floaty and fun", according to Amber.

The fashion pro explained: "She favours loose fitting, playful printed midi dresses with boho raffia wedges and cross-body bags."

She has an 'unstructured' fashion sense

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In total contrast to the fitted and figure-hugging clothes we know her for, on off-duty days Kate prefers often slightly oversized and unstructured clothing.

Amebr said: "On official engagements Kate knows what looks good on camera and dresses to look her very best.

"When she’s relaxing at home, or spending time with her family, looking good in photographs couldn’t be further from her mind."

She has a 'practical' side

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Like many parents will know, looking after kids is a full-time job in itself, and sometimes calls for a more practical outfit than what Kate wears for red carpet events.

Amber said: “In arguably her most cherished role, as a relatable mum to George, Charlotte and Louis, Kate is forced to make practical clothing choices like the rest of us.”

She added that often Kate will opt for light-material clothes that can easily be tossed in a washing machine if they get messy.

She prefers to 'blend in'

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In many ways her off duty clothes are more revealing than her official wardrobe choices.

Other than being sporty and having a penchant for practical (washable) items, Kate isn’t a fan of colour when she’s left to her own devices.

Amber explained: "Having adopted the late Queen’s technique of wearing bold brights colours on official engagements of late, when she’s at home with her family and craving normality she sticks to muted colours and pastel tones that blend in and avoid attention."

She's not afraid to be be imperfect 

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While Kate’s outfits stand out for being tailored to perfection during public appearances, she tends to favour a more casually-fitted outfit when playing with her kids.

When she does the school run, Kate is said to ditch her perfect hair and make-up for a down-to-earth look.

According to The Record, a friend added: "There are no blow-dries - it's always hair up in a ponytail.

"She's either in her gym clothes, or a dress and sneakers, very little makeup, apologising as she's late for the school run before dashing off. It's the life of a working mum with three young children - just a different sort of day job to most."

In fact, many parents at the kids' previous school, Thomas's Battersea, reportedly didn't pay too much attention to her.

One parent told the Daily Mail: "No one really gives Kate a second glance when she does the school drop-off.

"We have a Victoria's Secret model doing the school run, too, and the dads are far more interested in her."

She's outdoorsy

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She may be used to banquets and balls, but Kate is most at home in the garden.

Amber added: “Kate is also a lover of the countryside and a keen gardener, rolling up her sleeves and planting shrubs for her special Chelsea Flower Show installation in 2020.

“Not surprisingly, it’s in these moments, when she’s dressed in her favourite Le Chameau wellies and a Barbour or sporty leggings and hoodie, that she often looks her happiest.”

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