Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, 38, has had an extremely busy start to the week with two key engagements on Monday. In the afternoon she attended the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey before hosting a Buckingham Palace reception in the evening. The Duchess wore striking outfits to both events which shared one unique thing in common – neither of them were new.

Kate’s every outfit is carefully analysed by royal fans and what she wears often sells out quickly online. The Duchess’s high profile and extraordinary influence on shoppers mean designers across the world are desperate to dress her. But while Kate may have the world’s fashion houses at fingertips she doesn’t always wear new or designer clothes.

In recent months Kate has been spotted wearing high street brands such as Zara more than once and has been dubbed the “thrifty Duchess” for her economic fashion choices.

While Kate has re-worn old outfits in the past, she took things to a new level on Monday by wheeling out too old looks in the same day.

She wore a stunning red Catherine Walker dress coat to the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey which she last wore on Christmas Day in 2018.

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Eagle-eyed royal fans quickly noted that the last time she wore the coat she was snapped smiling alongside Meghan Markle and Harry at a time when their royal exit did not seem to be on the cards.

She freshened up the ensemble with a new Sally-Ann Provan hat and different jewellery.

The engagement was the last time Meghan and Harry would appear as senior royals and was a milestone moment for the family as a whole.

On Monday evening Kate was out again, this time to host a reception for children’s charity Place2B at Buckingham Palace.

Kate has been the charity’s royal patron since 2013 and needed a special gown to look the part.

For the Place2B’s 25th anniversary celebration Kate recycled a stunning sapphire blue embellished gown by Jenny Packham.

She last wore the gorgeous dress during her and Prince William’s royal tour of India and Bhutan in 2016.

The bespoke gown was created especially for Kate and is estimated to cost £3,500.

She completed the look with an elaborate £310 pair of pearl-embellished floral drop earrings by Canadian fashion designer Erdem.

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While Kate looked as though she’d put Megxit behind her as she greeted guests on Monday night, the Duchess may have spared Meghan and Harry a kind thought during their final joint engagement.

While Kate and Prince William were due to join the Queen’s procession which marked the start of the Commonwealth Day service they were struck from the parade in a last-minute update.

Kensington Palace did not confirm why the Cambridges did not join senior royals for the opening procession in the end.

However, some understand they may have dodged the ceremonial walk-in to put Meghan and Harry more at ease.

Prince William and Kate returned to London last week following a successful three-day tour of Ireland.

During their first official trip to the Emerald Isle Kate stunned in an array of bright green dresses.

Meghan Markle seemed to channel Kate’s Ireland wardrobe on Monday as she attended the Commonwealth Day Service in an Emerald Green gown.

Meghan Markle and Harry will cease to be working royals from March 31 and are expected to return to Canada to rejoin their son Archie Harrison any day.

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