How Kate's boots from Penelope Chilvers have stood the test of time

Penelope Chilvers' dedication to crafting exceptional products has clearly resonated with the Royal Family. 

The British footwear and accessory brand first garnered international recognition in 2004 when Kate Middleton, then merely Prince William's university girlfriend, wore the iconic £465 Long Tassel Boots. 

Now, as the Princess of Wales, she frequently chooses the boots for countryside engagements. 

But Kate isn't the only royal admirer. Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, and Princess Eugenie have also stepped out in the brand's stunning shoes. 

Even Princess Charlotte mirrored her mother's style in 2020, wearing a mini-me version of the famed boots on the Wales' family Christmas card. 

This support hasn't gone unnoticed with the brand's founder. 'I put my heart and soul into making the best products I can,' Penelope Chilvers tells MailOnline, 'so I feel grateful that the Royal Family appreciates what I do.'

Originally trained as a painter at the Byam Shaw School of Art in London, Penelope was awarded a scholarship from the Spanish Ministry of Culture to complete an MA at Complutense University in Madrid. 

Her connection to Spain and its craftsmanship began early; as a child, she spent school holidays in the province of Girona, where she discovered handmade espadrilles that inspired her signature line of shoes. 

However, the brand gained prominence with a style that is beloved by Catherine, Princess of Wales: the Long Tassel Boots. 

'HRH wears the first pair of riding boots that I commissioned and designed with a slimmer ankle, and a long tassel on the outside that swings with movement making them very elongating to the leg,' Penelope says, talking exclusively to MailOnline.

'We now offer them in standard height for shorter people and a waterproof range of the same style. The Tassel Boot family forms our Heritage Range and extends to four different heights and three calf widths, offering something for everyone.'

Penelope spent several years in Barcelona as a painter and designer, where she collaborated with artists and artisans and worked on notable projects, such as the restoration of the Picasso Museum. 

'I met many artisans during that period of my life, including a bookmaker. I thought of him when I was wondering how to start my own business back in London,' she recalls. 

In her free time, Penelope enjoyed riding in Collserola National Park while wearing traditional Spanish boots. 

This experience encouraged her to bring the Spanish riding boot to England, leading her to commission a small group of local artisans in Spain to create the Long Tassel style, according to her exact specifications.

Upon her return to the UK, Penelope Chilvers sold over 100 pairs of boots to The Cross, a leading boutique in Notting Hill. Her debut collection then premiered at Paris Fashion Week in 2002.

Since then, the range has expanded to include various styles, such as the après-ski-friendly Incredible Boot and the adventure-ready Neon Safari Boot with a crepe sole.

'We make pieces for longevity - to wear from one season to the next, or a lifetime if cared for correctly. So it's an aesthetic that is classic, but with a twist, enjoying colour and texture and eclectic references from my love of travel,' Penelope says.

Kate's boots are handcrafted from Spanish vegetable-dyed leather with a feminine, elongating fit, scalloped detailing and a leather tassel on the zip pull. Each pair incorporates a Goodyear Welted Commando rubber sole. 

To the delight of royal enthusiasts, Princess Charlotte followed in her mother's footsteps in 2020, donning a mini-me version of the footwear on the Wales family Christmas card.

Her Mini Tassel Boots, priced at £259, are made with the same artisanal craftmanship as the women's range - right down to the distinctive Penelope Chilvers tassels. 

Family is central to this brand, with Penelope's daughter, Africa, actively involved in the design and production team, working closely with factories in Spain. 

The designer shares that clientele often includes mothers and daughters, and it's not uncommon for three generations of the same family to visit the stores together. 

Additional members of the Royal Family have been putting their best foot forward in Penelope Chilvers shoes, including the Duchess of Edinburgh.

Sophie's extensive collection, encompassing sandals, espadrilles, trainers, boots and heeled Mary Janes, dates back to 2019.

Her most-loved style, the High Mary Jane Espadrille in White Leather, has been worn 26 times.

These espadrilles are part of the signature summer collection, crafted by skilled Spanish artisans with traditional hand stitching and woven meccanica detailing.

Sophie has also made an impact with her Tango Suede Shoes in Tan and Ultraviolet, wearing them on 13 occasions, from Royal Ascot to the Chelsea Flower Show. 

Inspired by the Argentine Tango, these closed-toe shoes have a distinctive silhouette that combines elegance with authority.

Princess Eugenie recently joined the brand's list of admirers, showcasing the Burford Boots during an Easter egg hunt. 

Made from polished black equestrian-style leather, these boots feature a refined long shaft silhouette and an elegant block heel for all-day comfort.

Charming detailing, in the form of a harness with a brass barley twist buckle, completes this sleek design.

Just days later, at the Cheltenham Festival, Eugenie wore the tan version of these boots, crafted from sustainably sourced Italian oiled suede from a gold-rated tannery, as audited by the Leather Working Group.

Penelope Chilvers is attracting newer members of the Royal Family, too. 

Harriet Sperling, Peter Phillips's partner, recently displayed her preference for the High Sevillana Dali Espadrille in Pink and Green at the Royal Charity Polo Cup in Windsor.

The eye-catching design hails from a range of espadrilles, featuring heels of varying heights, created in punchy palettes that are perfect for the summer season.

When asked why so many royal women favour her brand, Penelope attributes it to the 'authenticity of our collections.' 

'My endeavour to make beautiful footwear, of noble materials, made in small factories in Spain, makes them an ethical choice,' the designer explains.

She adds: 'The British royal family are incredibly popular and everyone enjoys watching what they are wearing. 

'It always makes a positive effect when say, Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh wears our espadrilles, or Amelia Windsor wears our sandals. I feel very proud to provide the royal family with footwear they enjoy.'

Penelope Chilvers operates three immaculate stores in London, situated in the affluent neighbourhoods of Belgravia, Mayfair and Notting Hill.

The team also offers personal video calls for customers who cannot visit in person, reflecting their commitment to client service. 

'I believe we are a special and unique brand that once discovered feels like the best kept secret,' Penelope concludes.