Kate Middleton’s Favourite Things in London

Her warmth, charm and elegance has captivated the public since she first joined the royal family back in 2011. Her kindness and generosity shines through and she has steadily built a loyal following the world over.

Although her royal duties often require her to travel, her beloved main residence is the resplendent Kensington Palace right in the heart of central London. And with the delights of the city right on her doorstep, Kate is often spotted in some of the most exclusive areas of town.

Of course, Kate isn’t seen out and about quite as much before she became a member of the Royal family, but if you’ve ever wondered what aspect of London the Princess enjoys the most, we have complied a list of her most beloved stores, restaurants, as well as brands.

Read on to discover some of Kate Middleton’s favourite things in London.

Bluebird Chelsea

This legendary restaurant has been a King’s Road staple since opening back in 1997. It has hosted countless celebrities including Eddie Redmayne, Cara Delevingne, as well as the cast of TVs ‘Made in Chelsea’.

We also know that Kate has always favoured this restaurant and was often seen dining here with her sister, Pippa Middleton, enjoying lunch in the stylish terrace. Kate also dined here with Prince William back in the days when they were dating.

It’s known to be one of the best restaurants to visit after a busy day hitting the stores along the iconic King’s Road. They’re open all day, from breakfast through to evening drinks. You’ll find a delectable menu of modern European dishes, with plenty of familiar classics including, Crispy Duck Salad, Bluebird Cheese and Bacon burger, as well as a decadent Cote de Boeuf.

If you haven’t yet visited, we highly recommend their weekend brunch which is not to be missed.

Aspinal of London

For quiet, understated luxury, look no further than one of Kate’s favoured brands, the exquisite Aspinal of London. Founded in 2001 by Iain Bruton, a visionary entrepreneur who wanted to encapsulate the timelessness of British craftsmanship with contemporary design, launched his superlative range of handbags, fine jewellery, leather goods, accessories and gifts. Although relatively new, this British brand has the air of a company that has always been a part of the fabric of London’s luxury goods scene.

Kate is known to be a fan Aspinal of London and has been photographed carrying several of the brands’ iconic bags, including the Midi Mayfair Bag in Lavender, as well as the Midi Mayfair Bag in Deep Shine, Black Croc.

Jo Malone

A few spritzes of Jo Malone, and you’re guaranteed to be the best smelling person in the room. We’re huge fans of Jo Malone here at Plate & Place – Lime, Basil & Mandarin being a personal favourite. This iconic British brand is also sought-after by Kate, who is a huge fan of the elegant, floral scents. In fact, one of her favourites is the classic, Orange Blossom, which has been a part of the range since the company first began.

Jo Malone started her business back in 1988 in humble beginnings from her kitchen table. Scent was a true passion for Jo who grew her business after giving clients her handmade Nutmeg and Ginger Bath Oil, and orders soon came flooding in.

Jo eventually sold her company to Estee Lauder in 2006, who have carried on her legacy of exquisite, wearable fragrances. How wonderful that one of Kate’s preferred scents is one of the most iconic fragrances in the range.

The Goring Hotel

The historic Goring Hotel set the stage for the royal wedding of 2011, with Kate, her sister Pippa, her mother Carole, spending the night at the hotel before the nuptials the following day at Westminster Abbey. In fact, the entire top floor was booked out by the Middleton family during the celebrations.

The Goring Hotel is a London institution and was known to be a favourite of HM The Queen. The hotel is located mere moments from Buckingham Palace along Beeston Place, right in the heart of Belgravia. This luxury hotel is a bastion of old school hospitality, elegance, and discretion.

If you fancy a night in the suite that Kate stayed in before her wedding, request ‘The Royal Suite’. This opulent, one-bedroom penthouse overlooks the beautiful Goring Gardens. You truly receive the ‘royal’ treatment when booking this suite, as you will be greeted but your dedicated footman who will be ready to unpack your luggage, while you sip a welcome drink in the elegant sitting room. You can only imagine how Kate felt staying in this room, the night before she can become a Princess!

Barbour

If you’re looking for the ultimate ‘outdoors’ jacket, fit for a royal, then Barbour is the must-know brand. You will likely have spotted the iconic wax cotton jacket, which is their signature item. This classic, British heritage brand is family-owned and has been in the business of making stylish outerwear since 1894.

It’s become synonymous with the aristocratic country-set and is particularly beloved by members of the British royal family. Kate has been spotted in several of the brand’s most popular jackets, which always suit her to perfection.

We love their practical yet smart approach to outerwear, and Kate has been seen in the Barbour Wax Defence jacket, as well as the Longshore Quilted jacket in Navy.

Richard Ward Salon

Kate is known for her beautiful brunette locks, glossy with health and vitality. We’ve often wondered what conditioner she uses, or better still, who looks after the most famous tresses of the British royal family? The answer to this is the ultra-glamorous Richard Ward Salon in exclusive Sloane Square.

This super-salon is a Chelsea stalwart, with award-winning hairdresser Richard Ward looking after the hair of movie stars, pop stars, and of course, British royalty.

Richard Ward famously styled Kate’s hair for her 2011 wedding to Prince William. And as we all witnessed on TV screens around the world, not a hair was out of place and the demi-chignon (half hair up, half down) was truly fit for a princess. In addition, Richard had been looking after Kate’s hair even before her wedding.

If you’re looking to get the ‘royal’ treatment yourself, a ladies cut and blow-dry with the maestro himself is £325. For the gents, it’s £130. As hair appointments with Richard are much in-demand, we recommend booking at least six weeks in advance.

The Dog and Duck Pub

It’s hard to envisage the elegant Princess with a pint in hand, but did you know that Kate and William both enjoy an evening at a classic pub! We were thrilled to discover she particularly enjoyed a visit to the Dog and Duck Pub in Soho which is one of central London’s most popular watering holes.

This pub is truly a London institution, and its history dates to 1897. This pub has a long history with famous faces, including writer George Orwell, John Constable, and pop superstar, Madonna.

Kate and William visited in preparation for the King’s Coronation weekend in 2023, and even took the Tube to visit the pub.

If you stop by for a visit, make sure to go hungry and order one of their famous pies – the Steak and Pale Ale is not to be missed.

Philip Treacy

If you think of the fashions of the Royal family, you will no doubt think of their exquisite headwear. For the ladies of the royal family, you will see them showcasing the beautiful designs of some of Britain’s top milliners.

A favourite of the royal, and Kate in particular, is luxury milliner, Philip Treacy. He was even described by Vogue magazine as “perhaps the greatest living milliner”.

Kate has worn Philip’s designs on many occasions, most recently for the 2024 Trooping the Colour. Kate also memorably wore a beautiful red hat for a day in Ascot. It’s fair to say, that Philip Treacy designs are hit with the Princess.