Kate Just Stepped Out in the "Basic" Summer Shoes All the Royals Keep Wearing

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With the temperature finally creeping into heat wave territory, summer is here, and this can only mean one thing: It's summer shoe season. While there are plenty of trending sandals styles around to whet your appetite, we're also looking to those timeless staples to add to our warm-weather capsule. Who better to draw classic style inspiration from than the royals?

Only just a few moments ago did Kate pull out her trusty beige wedged espadrilles (the very same Castañer Carina pair she wore a few weeks ago with an ankle-grazing Erdem frock—see below) to combine with a paisley-printed midi dress, leaf earrings and tousled hair. Perfect for this slightly inclement weather, and far more affordable and casual than her usual nude courts.

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And whilst browsing our other favourite royal summer looks, we noticed there was one uniting theme when it came to footwear across the posh board: espadrilles. An icon of summer style, it's clear that the likes of Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle can't get enough of them. Espadrilles might be known for their Spanish roots and laid-back elegance, yet we've been surprised to see the royals wearing them for more formal occasions over the last few months. 

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Only recently have we seen Lady Amelia Windsor in the low-key shoe at her sister's wedding—bucking the rule that espadrilles are not appropriate for such a formal occasion. Clearly there's a theme here. We'll just take these outfits as proof of the espadrille's versatility: They'll look just as good with white jeans and a tee as they will with a wedding guest outfit. Just ask Kate. Scroll down to see our favourite royal espadrille-dotted outfits, plus shop our edit. 

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Style Notes: We would never think of wearing espadrilles to a wedding (and a very formal one at that), yet Amelia Windsor gets the balance right with her daisy-print Gul Hurgel dress and white hat. 

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Style Notes: Kate always knows how to toe the line between pulled-together and laid-back. She looks so good in Erdem's floral prairie dress, which is elevated with a much-needed pair of wedge espadrilles. 

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Style Notes: On her travels last year, Meghan got plenty of practice in event dressing. Not unlike Kate's get-up, we like how the duchess has opted for a pair of high wedge espadrilles to dress up a silky summer frock. 

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Style Notes: Pippa is nothing but an espadrille evangelical. Known for her preppy-cool style, she wears hers with everything from cotton dresses to casual denim, and everything in between. 

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Style Notes: We told you this shoe style was versatile. Kate shows that an ankle-strap pair of espadrilles will complement a casual day dress, just as much as an evening look. We're taking notes as we speak. 

Shop Our Espadrille Edit

Related: My Favourite Wedding Guest Outfits From Lady Gabriella Windsor's Wedding

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