The stylish Royal frequently chose her chunky cork wedges for various engagements, including the Olympics, tours to Singapore and New Zealand, and as part of her casual outfits for the Commonwealth Games. Espadrilles Katherine often sports a stunning pair by Castañer as well as ones by Sophie. These shoes add a touch of sophistication without being overly flashy, elevating her casual looks from simple to chic.
Even before becoming Prince William’s wife, Katherine favored raffia platform wedges for their timeless shine and solid footing. These closed-toe wedges became part of Royal fashion history when she wore them just before her wedding at the Goring Hotel and again when departing for her honeymoon from Buckingham Palace in April 2011.
Catherine’s off-duty love for these wedges first caught attention during the AI Polo Challenge at Coworth Park in May 2012, paired with a Libel shirt dress. Since then, the Princess has worn them on several occasions, including trips to the Solomon Islands, Sydney, and most recently Belize in 2022, where she donned them with a Tory Burch smart dress.
The wedge design, featuring a buckle slingback and espadrille heel, became so beloved by Catherine that she bought them in black as well. She was first seen wearing the black wedges at Tidworth Polo Club in July 2006 and continued to wear them for various events such as charity functions and casual outings, including the arrival of baby Prince George in July 2013.
Between 2012 and 2014, Katherine was spotted multiple times in the Stuart Weitzman “Minx” wedges in camel, including during a polo match in 2012 and a royal tour of Australia in 2014. Nearly a decade later, she brought the cork wedges back for a visit to Belize during the 2022 Caribbean tour. In April 2016, while on a tour of India, Katherine showed off her sporty side by playing cricket in her Monsoon espadrille wedges. Despite the challenging activity, she managed to run, jump, and bat with ease, demonstrating the practicality of these stylish shoes.
Katherine was seen wearing her low-heeled wedges again at a charity polo match in June 2018 and during a visit to Fakenham Garden Center in June 2020. The private British retailer behind these espadrilles became her go-to for several royal outings, including a visit to Cornwall, a Canadian garden party, and the 2019 Back To Nature Festival.
Princess Katherine is often seen in her Castañer Carina wedges, particularly during her Royal Caribbean tour in 2022. Since debuting these espadrilles in 2019, she has worn them for over 10 public engagements, typically pairing them with midi or maxi dresses for a sophisticated summer look. Crafted from comfortable canvas, these classic yet modern wedges have been a staple in Katherine’s wardrobe for years.
A newer addition to her collection, she wore light brown wedges for her Back to Nature Garden exhibit at the Chelsea Flower Show in 2019. Most recently, Katherine chose these wedges again for an event at the Chelsea Flower Show on May 22, 2023, where she interacted with school children. The chic espadrille wedges feature thin ankle straps and a high wedge heel, part of Castañer’s Icon collection.
Known for her loyalty to pointed-toe pumps, Katherine often steps out in designer heels by Gianvito Rossi, Aquazzura, and Jimmy Choo. But for her May 2023 engagement, she swapped her heels for the reliable espadrille wedges, signaling the arrival of summer. For the Chelsea Flower Show, Katherine wore her summery beige and brown Castañer wedges, paired with a chic pink long-sleeve shirt dress from Me+Em, featuring delicate buttons and elegant pleats.