Kate Middleton is always forgetting this unexpected item and has people running after her 'shouting' to remind her
The future Queen can't be expected to remember everything but I'm surprised that *this* is what slips her mind a lot
The Princess of Wales always looks so polished and professional at royal engagements but it seems she has her disorganised moments like any of us. Surprising as it might sound, Kate has admitted she often forgets something crucial - her handbag!
The future Queen revealed her habit of misplacing her accessories as she travelled in the West Sussex Minibus with 94-year-old Stella Drewett on 30th September. The Princess was visiting to learn more about this volunteer-led community transport service which helps people across West Sussex stay connected to the people and activities that matter to them most.
Taking her seat next to Stella on the bus, she reportedly joked, "Everyone always runs after me [shouting], 'You forgot your handbag".
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The Princess of Wales owns the Evesham clutch in mint green and this season Hobbs have it in a deep navy blue. It's got a streamlined barrel shape and is made from suede. The bag comes with a detachable strap featuring a chain detail and a dust bag for storing it.
The Princess of Wales was photographed carrying the chocolate brown Le Pliage tote at university and she owns other colours and sizes too. They're great for carrying all your essentials whilst looking fashion-forward. This one features gold-toned hardware and is made from canvas and leather.
The Princess of Wales debuted this gorgeous bag in autumn 2025 and it's made from soft suede in a rich chocolate-brown colour. The gold hardware adds extra glamour and it comes with a longer strap so you can wear it crossbody too.
You'd think a handbag carrying your day-to-day essentials is something you'd never misplace, especially when they're as beautiful as hers are, but apparently not. Kate carried a beautiful burgundy design by Smythson for this visit and it had the structured shape and top handle straps that her go-to styles from handbag brands like Aspinal and Strathberry also have.
These elements just make a bag feel more formal, which is exactly what she wants for a work day, though the Princess also often brings a tote with her and passes it to one of her royal assistants when she arrives. Perhaps that's one of the reasons for her forgetfulness, as it's possible her actual handbags don't have much in them.
When she and Prince William visited Jamaica in 2022 there was a viral moment where Kate looked like she was going to leave her handbag on a chair after a welcoming ceremony. At the last minute she remembered and calmly went back for it but it shows it's easily done when you're chatting to people at these kinds of occasions.
Handbags aren't the only thing the Princess of Wales needs to be reminded about either. Speaking to The Times earlier this year, host of the Happy Mum, Happy Baby podcast, Giovanna Fletcher, claimed, "She told me that she was notoriously bad at keeping an eye on her phone. She always loses her phone."
According to her, "all of [Kate's] Christmas presents" in 2019 were related in some way to helping her with this. It sounds like it's all very good-natured and the Princess is also on hand to remind Prince George, Charlotte and Louis about important things too.
As per The Mirror, on the minibus journey to the weekly lunch club at Pulborough Village Hall, the Princess of Wales explained she has to remind her children to put their seatbelts on in the car. She and William regularly do school pick-ups and drop-offs and are generally either driven or drive themselves to events in cars.
It was quite a contrast to see the future Queen aboard the West Sussex Minibus and she looked very relaxed as she spent time with attendees and volunteers at the lunch club. She heard how different opportunities to come together can forge friendships, reduce isolation and build stronger, connected communities.
