Kate Middleton Had To Abandon This Old-Fashioned Shoe Choice in the Presence of the Queen

There’s no denying that Catherine, Princess of Wales has undergone a stunning style transformation since becoming a royal. Her taste has become much more sophisticated and regal, but on some occasions, she has broken royal protocol when it comes to her wardrobe choices. In addition wearing wedges, Catherine has been spotted in open-toe shoes, which are a no-no for royal family members. “Open-toed shoes are considered informal footwear,” etiquette expert William Hanson told Harper’s Bazaar in June 2018, “and inappropriate for formal occasions.” It’s worth noting that Catherine typically only wears open-toed shoes under floor-length gowns — where the foot is barely visible — or while visiting a warm climate country. Nonetheless, they’re not a common sight in royal wardrobes. 

Along with wedges, Catherine has a penchant for wearing sneakers — another shoe style disliked by the late queen. At casual events, she tends to wear white trainers from brands like Superga or Veja. While this may seem unusual given the restrictions on sandals, the choice isn’t breaking protocol so much as it’s rewriting royal dress codes for the modern age. “We’ve definitely seen a shift in the belief that heels were a mandatory requirement for formal attire and now even sporty sneakers effortlessly add a touch of fun to a look while staying stylish – as the Princess of Wales proves again and again,” stylist Helen Canning told Hello! So Catherine’s branching out.