Princess Kate set to avoid Meghan Markle move following major decision

The significant shift in policy comes as the Princess, 43, makes a gradual return to royal duties after receiving treatment for cancer.

The decision could be intended to redirect public attention from Kate's fashion choices to her charitable endeavours, contrasting sharply with the approach taken by her sister-in-law, Meghan Markle, who actively leverages her wardrobe choices for business investments.

A Kensington Palace source told the Sunday Times: "There is an absolute feeling that it [the public work] is not about what the princess is wearing."

The change represents a significant departure from previous practice, where the Palace routinely provided details of Kate's ensembles at public events since her entry into the Royal Family in 2011.

The mother-of-three is determined to ensure the spotlight remains firmly on her work supporting charities and other causes.

The contrast with Meghan Markle's approach is stark, as the Duchess of Sussex has actively invested in five to 10 brands she wears during public appearances.

Meghan told the New York Times she deliberately wears items from "smaller, up-coming" brands before investing in them.

The strategy, known as "the Meghan effect", has proven lucrative. When she wore a bag from Scottish brand Strathberry during an engagement with Harry, it sold out within 11 minutes.

Her investment portfolio includes Cesta Collective, whose handbags she has worn at multiple events.

Kate has long supported British fashion brands, including Jenny Packham, Sarah Burton, Boden, and LK Bennett.

Last Thursday, she demonstrated her relatability by wearing a houndstooth Zara dress she has worn multiple times before.

Since joining the Royal Family, the Princess's fashion choices have consistently boosted sales for the brands she wears, though, unlike Meghan, she has not invested financially in any of them.

She has maintained particularly strong ties with Sarah Burton, who designed her wedding dress.

A close friend of Kate's told the Sunday Times: "What was enormously frustrating and difficult for her, especially in the early days, was she was going out and doing the work she was interested in and was hugely important to her, and people just talked about what she was wearing."

The sentiment echoes Kate's recent statement about her cancer journey giving her "a new perspective on everything" and reminding her "to reflect and be grateful for the simple things in life."

Kensington Palace officials indicated that outfit details may still be shared for the most significant royal occasions.

For regular public duties, however, the focus will remain squarely on the Princess's charitable work and causes.

This policy shift comes as the Princess gradually resumes her royal engagements, having been dubbed one of the hardest-working royals before her cancer diagnosis necessitated a reduction in her schedule last year.