5 min readToday’s queens, princesses, and duchesses are challenging what it means to dress like a royal. It’s no longer just ball gowns and tiaras for these stylish, powerful women. The wardrobes of royals from Princess Kate to Queen Letizia include unexpected pieces from local designers, surprisingly funky accessories, and especially some very attainable footwear.
Ahead, all the times our favorite royals have worn affordable shoes—and where to get them.
Princess Diana
In Hunter boots
No royal is more referenced in fashion circles than Princess Diana. The late Princess of Wales’s cool-girl style was quirky, chic, and wildly ahead of its time. To this day, It girls still try to recreate the People’s Princess’ most iconic looks—from her sweatshirts-and-biker-shorts fits, to her winter sweater moments, and her unforgettable revenge dress.
In this photo, she is seen at Craigowan Lodge in Balmoral, Scotland, on May 6, 1981, with then-Prince Charles, on their first official photo call following their engagement. Diana (then Lady Diana Spencer) wears a colorful sweater, high-waisted tan trousers, and classic green Hunter rain boots layered over long hot-pink leg warmers. What a time.
Queen Letizia of Spain
In Castañer and Calzados Picón wedges
Spain’s most stylish royal just happens to be the country’s queen, Letizia. The former broadcast journalist is constantly delivering looks that challenge the way we think about royal style. She loves a chunky jewelry moment, a big, loose pant, a sexy, fun dress, and an affordable staple, regularly stepping out in pieces from Mango and Zara. Her footwear game, however, is especially inspiring.
Here, she is seen attending a meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Students Residence in Madrid, Spain, on June 17, 2026, while in a pair of navy Calzados Picón navy espadrille wedges—a Spanish footwear staple. She also has similar styles from Castañer, an iconic Spanish brand that Letizia often wears.
Now 20% Off
Princess Kate
In Veja sneakers
The British royal family’s most beloved royal today, Catherine, Princess of Wales, has a wardrobe fit for a modern queen. Over the years, Kate’s style has evolved from casually classy to ultra-glamorous, vibrant, and even sporty, when the time is right. She frequently references husband Prince William’s late mother, Princess Diana, with her fashion, but for the most part stays true to her own sophisticated aesthetic. These days, it’s common to see her wearing gowns and elaborate hats from British designers, monochrome looks, power suits, suede pumps, ring stacks, and preppy outdoorsy outfits for her days out in nature.
In this photo, Kate is seen wearing Spanish brand Veja’s Esplar sneakers in white to visit “The Urban Nature Project” at The Natural History Museum in London on June 22, 2021. She wore them with a coral blazer, a white tank, and cropped, slim-cut jeans.
Meghan Sussex
In Rothy’s flats
Duchess Meghan’s fashion sense is the epitome of quiet luxury. Having gone from a Hollywood actor in Canada to a senior member of the British royal family in London, to an entrepreneur and mom in Montecito, California, her wardrobe has changed plenty, but her minimalist, sophisticated style has not.
Here, on October 18, 2018, the new Duchess of Sussex is seen in Melbourne, Australia, with husband Prince Harry. The two were on their official 16-day tour, visiting cities in Australia, Fiji, Tonga, and New Zealand. Meghan went elegant but practical for the day out—keeping in mind that she’d be walking on sand—opting for a stretchy black midi dress, a classic trench coat, and Rothy’s machine washable flats in black.
Princess Kate
In New Balance sneakers
Here, Kate plays football during a visit to Windsor Park Stadium, home of the Irish Football Association, in Belfast, Northern Ireland, on February 27, 2019. She went casual in a blue rain jacket, black leggings, and blue New Balance Fresh Foam Trainers.
Queen Máxima of the Netherlands
In Banana Republic loafers
The elegant queen of the Netherlands is a master of the business look and the polished power suit, but once in a while, she enjoys a funky shoe.
Here, she is seen arriving at the airport in Jakarta, Indonesia, while in a classic skirt suit and black leather loafers from Banana Republic (hers were adorned with little silver studs).
Princess Eugenie of York
In LØCI sneakers
Eugenie can go from a royal garden party to a casual street-style outing with friends in no time, and her wardrobe shows that.
In 2022, the princess attended the Grand Prix in Sakhir, Bahrain, and stayed cool in an easy floral midi dress and affordable white sneakers from London-based vegan sneaker brand LØCI.
Princess Kate
In Superga sneakers
In this image, from July 31, 2022, Kate is seen visiting the 1851 Trust and the Great Britain SailGP Team in Plymouth, England, while in a preppy look: striped navy sweater, white high-waisted shorts, and low white sneakers from Superga—with no-show socks.
Queen Letizia
In Sézane Mary Janes
Sézane’s Paula Babies (currently on sale) may be the queen of Spain’s favorite shoes ever. She has them in multiple colorways—at least five, that we’ve seen. Here, she is seen wearing the black-and-white version to attend a meeting with a representative group of Roma women at the Secretariado Gitano Foundation in Madrid on April 30, 2026.
Princess Kate
In Castañer espadrille wedges
Kate was a vision in a pink summer dress and beige espadrille wedges from Spanish brand Castañer (one of Letizia’s favorites) as she arrived at Daystar Evangelical Church in Great Abaco, Bahamas, with William on March 26, 2022.
Duchess Meghan
In Veja sneakers
During their tour of Sydney, Australia, on October 21, 2018, Meghan showed off another affordable pair of shoes: white sneakers from Veja. It’s the Spanish brand that Princess Kate and Queen Letizia have also put their stamp of approval on over the years, so it’s safe to say they are fit for royalty.
Princess Beatrice of York
In Zara sneakers
Bea is usually one for bright colors, florals, and fun hats. And when it comes to her footwear, the royal loves a strappy heel or comfy sneaker. Most surprisingly, she often taps ready-to-wear brand Zara for these pieces.
On October 11, 2025—days after she walked the red carpet for BGC Group Charity Day in black pumps from Zara—Beatrice attended the Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity fundraiser while in zip-up jacket from Burberry and maroon Zara athletic sneakers.
Now 50% Off
Princess Kate
In Boden loafers
Kate can always pull off a preppy daytime look. Here, she is seen on a visit to Castle Hill Academy on February 12, 2026, while in brown leather Nya Penny loafers from Boden.
Lady Eliza and Lady Amelia Spencer
In Holland Cooper heels
The twin nieces of the late Princess Diana will never stop delivering posh matching moments.
On June 18, 2026, they arrived at Royal Ascot in the same pair of pearl-white Vienna heels from Holland Cooper, which went perfectly with their pale-pink dresses.
