He shared the worst gift he ever bought Kate Middleton: a pair of binoculars.
"She was looking at me going, 'They’re binoculars, what’s going on?'" William recalled.
What do you do when you're obscenely wealthy, you have a literal team of staff who could source your every whim, and your beloved then-girlfriend needs a gift? Well, if you're Prince William, you absolutely spiral and buy her something better suited to your elderly aunt who likes to birdwatch of a Sunday morning: a pair of binoculars.
William confessed his terrible choice of gift to former soccer player Peter Crouch during a special Kensington Palace recording of the latter's BBC podcast, That Peter Crouch Podcast. "That was early on in the courtship, that was. I wrapped them. They were really nice," he reflected, as Peoplereports. "I was trying to convince myself about it. I was like, 'But these are really amazing, look how far you can see!'"
Unsurprisingly, Kate was not convinced, William admitted. "She was looking at me going, 'They’re binoculars, what’s going on?' It didn’t go well. Honestly, I have no idea why I bought her a pair of binoculars."
The royal appeared on the podcast to discuss his mental health initiative, Heads Up, ahead of Saturday's Heads Up FA Cup Final between soccer teams Arsenal and Chelsea. William emphasized the importance of speaking about mental health, and seeking help when needed. "We all have mental health, and we all have to stay mentally fit," he said. "It’s a strength to talk about your mental health, it’s not a weakness. You know, if you’re not feeling well, something’s bothering you, talk about it—it’s not a problem."
Kate Middleton's Most Iconic Fashion Moments
August 5, 2020
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(Image credit: WPA Pool)
Duke and Duchess of Cambridge stepped out to visit Barry island, South Wales to speak to local business owners about the impact COVID 19 on tourism. She wore an Emilia Wickstead dress, find similar one here and Castañer espadrilles.
August 5, 2020
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(Image credit: WPA Pool)
Duke and Duchess of Cambridge stepped out to visit Barry island, South Wales to speak to local business owners about the impact COVID 19 on tourism. She wore an Emilia Wickstead dress, find similar one here and Castañer espadrilles.
The Duchess steps out to announce that Royal Foundation's 1.8 million fund will support frontline workers and the nation's mental health at the Sandringham Estate. Kate wore a Suzannah dress for the occasion.
For a visit to The Nook in eastern England, Kate Middleton wore an affordable floral print dress from Faithfull the Brand. Not surprisingly, thanks to the Kate Effect, it sold out almost immediately. However, fans of the design can see buy clothing iterations of the of it here and here. She completed the casual outing look with a pair of Russell & Bromley coconut wedges (shop similar espadrilles) and Accessorize hoop earrings.
June 18, 2020
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(Image credit: AARON CHOWN)
The Duchess of Cambridge stops by Fakenham Garden Centre to shop for plants for The Nook hospice in Framlingham Earl. Catherine wore Fjallraven vest, denim shirt, black trousers, and Superga sneakers.
The royals visited the Teagasc Animal & Grassland Research Centre in Ireland. Prince William and Kate coordinated in laidback ensembles. The Duchess wore a belted Dubarry jacket and her trusty Penelope Chilvers boots for the farm visit.
March 4, 2020
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(Image credit: Pool/Samir Hussein)
Duchess of Cambridge during their visit in Ireland, where they stopped by Savannah House, a residential facility run by charity. She opted for an Equipment top and Russell and Bromley boots.
Kate attended a Charity Performance of "Dear Evan Hansen" in Eponine dress and Jimmy Choo pumps and clutch.
January 29, 2020
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(Image credit: Karwai Tang)
The Duchess of Cambridge visited LEYF Stockwell Gardens Nursery & Pre-School in England. For the cold weather, she wore a blue wool coat over a delicate white Sézane top, black jeans, and Aquatalia boots.
The Duchess of Cambridge joined families and children who are supported by the charity Family Action at Peterley Manor Farm in England. For the outing, she wore holiday colors: a red ski jacket from Perfect Moment, a Really Wild green sweater (shop similar), blue jeans, and Berghaus brown booties.
November 12, 2019
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(Image credit: Karwai Tang)
Kate attended the Shout's Crisis Volunteer celebration event at Troubadour White City Theatre. She was ready for fall in a pair of maroon pants from Joseph, a check Smythe blazer, and a pair of Gianvito Rossi black pumps.
October 9, 2019
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(Image credit: Karwai Tang)
For a visit to The Angela Marmont Centre for UK Biodiversity at the Natural History Museum, Kate wore a polished streamline ensemble. Her top was from a British brand called Warehouse while her pants were from Jigsaw. She wore a pair of Tod's fringe leather pumps.
October 2, 2019
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(Image credit: Neil Mockford)
Prince William and Kate visited the Aga Khan Centre in England. She wore a dress that was a collab between Aross Girl and Soler London. Though the long-sleeve teal dress is now sold out, you can buy a similar one here. She wore the dress with a pair of Emmy London pumps.
September 10, 2019
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(Image credit: Samir Hussein)
Kate attended the Back to Nature festival at RHS Garden Wisley in a long-sleeve pale blue floral dress from Emilia Wickstead and Monsoon wedges (shop similar).
September 5, 2019
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(Image credit: WPA Pool)
Prince William and the Duchess took Princess Charlotte and Prince George to their first day of school at Thomas's Battersea in London. The Duchess of Cambridge glowed in a printed Michael Kors dress and Rupert Sanderson blue pumps.
July 14, 2019
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(Image credit: Karwai Tang)
Kate looked polished and dressy for an appearance at the Men's Wimbledon Tennis Championships. She wore a pale blue cap-sleeve dress from Emilia Wickstead and beige ALDO pumps.
June 25, 2019
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(Image credit: Karwai Tang)
The Duchess of Cambridge took part in a photography workshop at the charity 'Action for Children' in London. Kate wore a fluttery sleeve printed dress from Ridley London and lace-up espadrilles from Castañer.
June 12, 2019
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(Image credit: Mark Cuthbert)
The Duchess of Cambridge attended the first annual gala dinner in an off-the-shoulder dress from Barbara Casasola and wore a pair of sparkly Jimmy Choo glitter pumps.
May 20, 2019
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(Image credit: Jeff Spicer)
The Duchess of Cambridge attended the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in London while wearing a neutral colored ensemble. She wore a M.i.h Jeans shirt, brown Massimo Dutti culotte pants, and white Superga sneakers.
May 14, 2019
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(Image credit: Karwai Tang)
The Duchess of Cambridge visited the D-Day exhibition at Bletchley Park. For the outing, she wore an Alessandra Rich polka dot midi dress with pale blue pumps from Emmy London. She carried a Smythson clutch.
May 8, 2019
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(Image credit: Chris Jackson)
In need of blazer inspo? Look no further than Kate's closet. She has a variety of styles and colors, including this gorgeous double-breasted red Philosophy Di Lorenzo number. She wore it over a black turtleneck with black jeans and Aquatalia booties.
What color looks the best on Kate? Trick question: every color looks good on her, even green. The Duchess of Cambridge was spotted in this deep jade colored dress from Emilia Wickstead while leaving the new Centre of Excellence at Anna Freud Centre in London. She accessorized with beige Gianvito Rossi pointy toe pumps and a Mulberry Amberley clutch.
The Duchess of Cambridge got sporty while playing soccer with kids in Ireland. She wore a Barbour quilted jacket, a Ralph Lauren sweater, jeans, and blue sneakers from New Balance.
December 11, 2018
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(Image credit: Chris Jackson)
Polka dots are a must for royals. Kate loves wearing them as spotted here in a green knee-length polka dot dress from L.K. Bennett. She wore green Gianvito Rossi suede pumps.
Emily Dixon is a British journalist who’s contributed to CNN, Teen Vogue, Time, Glamour, The Guardian, Wonderland, The Big Roundtable, Bust, and more, on everything from mental health to fashion to political activism to feminist zine collectives. She’s also a committed Beyoncé, Kacey Musgraves, and Tracee Ellis Ross fan, an enthusiastic but terrible ballet dancer, and a proud Geordie lass.
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