Forget fast fashion and extravagant new purchases. This Christmas, the British Royal Family delivered a powerful masterclass in sustainable style, with hand-me-down garments taking centre stage at the traditional Sandringham church service.
The Thrifty Royal Trendsetter
All eyes were on seven-year-old Lena Tindall, the youngest granddaughter of Princess Anne, as she arrived for the Christmas Day service. She wore a charming navy, military-inspired coat that boasted a rich royal history. This was no ordinary winter wrap; it was a cherished hand-me-down with not one, but two previous royal owners.
The coat, a £79 purchase from the British high street chain Monsoon, first appeared on Christmas Day in 2017, worn by Lena's cousin, Savannah Phillips, when she was the same age. Its second outing came in March 2022, when Lena's older sister, Mia Tindall, then eight, wore it to the Service of Thanksgiving for the late Prince Philip at Westminster Abbey. Lena's choice proves that high-street pieces, when chosen well, can become enduring wardrobe staples passed through generations.
A Raid on the Royal Wardrobe
Lena was not the only royal embracing pre-loved fashion. Lady Louise Windsor, currently in her final year at the University of St Andrews, followed a time-honoured student tradition: borrowing from her mother's closet. In her case, that mother is Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh.
Lady Louise's elegant ensemble was a curated collection of her mother's finest pieces. Her coat was a sophisticated Prada design first worn by the Duchess to Ascot's Christmas racing weekend back in 2015. The chic hat, crafted by esteemed London milliner Jane Taylor, debuted on her mother in 2017. Completing the look was a handbag from the Belizean brand Studio Perera, another item from the Duchess's collection.
Even Queen Camilla participated in the theme, sporting a magnificent yellow diamond brooch that once belonged to Queen Elizabeth II, though such a historic piece of jewellery transcends the simple label of a 'hand-me-down'.
The Royal Philosophy of Timeless Style
The clear message from Sandringham is that the ultimate style power move for 2025 isn't about buying the latest trend. It's about breathing new life into years-old items by styling them in fresh, modern ways. This philosophy is deeply ingrained in royal behaviour, long before 'responsible consumerism' became a buzzword.
Princess Anne, grandmother to Lena, Mia, and Savannah, is famously known for rewearing outfits decades after their first appearance. Furthermore, the broader aristocratic tradition has always valued quality and longevity, with garments worn until they are practically threadbare—a duke would historically prefer to darn his socks than discard them.
When you see Lena's coat or Louise's outfit, the first thought isn't recognition of a repeat. It's admiration for a beautiful, well-considered look. That is the power of expert restyling—a lesson in elegance that also happens to be wonderfully kind to our post-Christmas bank balances.
