Top News

A businesswoman who established a global fashion brand has revealed a thoughtful practice by "prominent" customer Catherine, Princess of Wales. Donna Ida, Australia's so-called "Queen of Jeans" and founder of her eponymous denim brand, recently expressed her appreciation for the Royal Family's purchasing etiquette at a pop-up shop in the capital.

Speaking at the Chandos House shop, Donna disclosed that members of the Royal Family "always want to pay for things," and it seems the fashion-forward Princess of Wales follows suit. Praised by Harper's Bazaar for her "timeless and chic approach" to style, Catherine reportedly gravitates towards labels including Lululemon, LK Bennett, Boden, and high-street favourite Marks and Spencer. She is also said to appreciate Donna's collections. And, like other royals, Catherine "insists on paying for her jeans," according to Richard Eden, who relayed insights from a discussion with Donna about the Firm's "conscious" outlook.

Donna explained: "It's more beneficial for designers when the royals buy clothes and not receive freebies. It shows that they want it and support your brand, and it's not just product being chucked around."

She continued: "The royals are very conscious like that, and they would always want to pay for things and support brands. The royals are great."

Catherine and her husband, Prince William, created a similarly favourable impression when they surprised guests with an unannounced visit to an upmarket restaurant in the picturesque French Alps.

At the time, the Waleses were holidaying at the Courchevel ski resort, dubbed the "Saint Tropez of the slopes" and the "ski capital of the world," nestled in the Tarentaise Valley.

In January, the Prince and Princess of Wales were seen at a mountainside eatery, with fellow diners capturing the moment as the royal pair departed. A staff member told The Mail's Harriet Kean: "They had a very nice time and were very polite."

Another guest remarked: "I couldn't believe I was having lunch in the same restaurant as Catherine and William. They looked adorable in their beanie hats."

In other news, the Prince and Princess of Wales, with the latter donning a Gucci chiffon gown, recently graced the 2026 BAFTAs. This marked their first public appearance together since the arrest of William's uncle, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.

It was noted that, despite the ongoing scandal, the pair beamed as they arrived at the event. Body language expert Judi James weighed in on the couple's demeanour, saying they showed "subtle signs of suppressed or masked tension."

She observed: "Their arms hang freely at their sides to suggest assertive confidence, but William's right hand appears to show some tension and fiddling of the fingers. His hair and beard have been trimmed closer than usual in a more fashionable look."

Judi continued: "When Kate and William perform their red carpet smiles here, there appears to be some slight edge-to-edge clenching of the teeth, hinting at an air of resolve rather than a completely relaxed approach to the event."