The Princess of Wales has a pretty extensive shoe collection and one thing most of her favourite pairs of shoes have in common is a heel. Although Kate’s white trainers from Superga and Veja get a lot of wear, she doesn’t reach for fancy flats very often.
So when we do see the Princess choosing something other than her signature heels, wedges or plimsolls, it means that she really must love them. This definitely seems to be true for her Russell & Bromley Xpresso shoes as Kate owns them in both black and a soft blush pink.
She packed both in her suitcase for her and Prince William’s week-long Royal Tour of Pakistan in 2019 and they’re a cut above your usual ballet flats or loafers. Made from suede, they had criss-crossed straps running across the top of your foot.
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(Image credit: Photo by Pool/Samir Hussein/WireImage via Getty)
Boden Tan T-Bar Pointed Flats
You can currently get 15% off these shoes and other new womenswear styles with the code T3D7. They’re made from leather and have a pointed toe and a stylish, adjustable T-bar strap with gold D-ring details.
Next Chocolate Brown Satin Flats
Also available in a rich olive green tone, these flats have a criss-cross detail similar to Kate’s shoes and are secured with a buckle at the ankle so you can adjust the fit. They feature a Forever Comfort® padded footbed and are made from satin which has a glamorous sheen to it.
Charles & Keith Patent Crossover Flats
With covered toes and crossover straps that add an extra layer of visual interest to the minimalist design, these slingback flats are classic and modern at the same time. The buckles on the straps allow for a customisable fit and the shiny patent finish is balanced by the neutral hue.
Phase Eight Tan Tie Detail Flats
These suede shoes are a step up from your typical ballet flats thanks to the laces which you wrap around your ankle and secure. The toes are pointed and the warm tan tone is not only very on-trend but easy to pair with different colours.
Naturalizer Connie Slingback Mules
These flat shoes are a cross between Mary Janes, ballet pumps and sandals – the best possible way. The slingback strap is elasticated, the buckle strap adjustable and they have a contemporary square toe. Made from leather, they also have a cushioned footbed.
Zara Split Suede Slingback Flat Shoes
These pointed toe flats have a mule design and topstitching details, as well as a gold-toned buckle fastening. The soft beige tone works so well with paler colours and pastels in the summer and would also look chic with tan, brown and black in the autumn and winter months.
Russell & Bromley is one of the best British brands around when you want timeless styles and impeccable craftsmanship, so this, combined with the “Kate effect” meant that they sold out fast. Thankfully for all of us who are still envisioning new summer outfit ideas with elegant flats, there are plenty of similar criss-cross styles out there right now.
The Princess’s shoes had gently pointed toes and this shape can help to give a leg-elongating effect if you worry about your shoes cutting off your silhouette at a tricky point. The staps on the Xpresso flats made them more unique and also meant they would have been secure on Kate’s feet as she undertook a variety of engagements in Pakistan.
On Day 5 of the Waleses’ tour, the future Queen wore the black flats as part of a head-to-toe monochrome look, whilst her outfit from a few days earlier was far brighter. That time she used the paler tone of her blush shoes to balance out her electric blue clothing.
(Image credit: Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage via Getty)
On both occasions her suede Russell & Bromley flats completed her ensembles in style. We all have those times, whether it’s a wedding, date night or family party, where your footwear needs to feel smart but heels would seem too much.
This is when more striking flats come into their own and neutral tones like Kate’s black and blush shoes are the most versatile as you can pair them with pretty much any outfit and they’ll complement it perfectly. Ballet pumps can sometimes seem a bit too demure and polished, so going for something a little more intricate or stand-out is a contemporary alternative.
(Image credit: Photo by Chris Jackson – Pool/Getty Images)
Comfort is, of course, still a key factor and the criss-cross flats seem to tick this box for the Princess of Wales. Her tour of Pakistan wasn’t the only trip abroad where she’s taken the Xpresso shoes with her. In 2016 Kate wore her pink ones for a visit to India, styled with a fabulous red and navy blue patterned maxi dress.
We might not have seen her reach for either of her fancy flats in recent years but that doesn’t mean she doesn’t get plenty of wear out of them when she’s not undertaking official public duties. For seeing family and friends or hosting at Adelaide Cottage, flats are much more likely to come in useful than her high heeled court shoes.
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