15 surprisingly frugal habits of the British royal family

Some rich families might toss any uneaten foods, but not the royals. Chef Carolyn Robb, who worked for Prince Charles and Princess Diana from 1989 to 2000, tells racked.com that the family didn’t put food to waste. Charles would request only being served as much as he could eat, and any leftovers would be incorporated into the next meal. Roast lamb, for instance, could be mixed into Shepard’s pie.

While Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle are no strangers to designer couture, they also know how to look chic on a budget. Royal watchers have spotted Kate wearing Gap and Zara pieces, while Meghan is reportedly a fan of Everlane and J.Crew. It’s no wonder their fashion choices tend to sell out so quickly.

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Queen Elizabeth doesn’t reach for Dior nail polish when she wants a manicure. Instead, her nail colour of choice is a pharmacy brand that rings up at a cool $9 a bottle.

While the royal family could probably afford central heating to keep all 775 rooms in Buckingham Palace warm, the Queen chooses to use space heaters (at least in certain rooms) instead. Perceptive royal watchers have noticed space heaters nestled in fireplaces in Buckingham and Balmoral Castle. With the units costing just £20 to £30 ($37 to $56) each, you can bet Her Majesty is saving a bundle.

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You might expect a frequent flier like Queen Elizabeth to invest in new luggage every trip – or at least, maybe once a decade. Once Her Majesty finds something she likes, though, she isn’t likely to let it go. The Queen apparently still uses the same Globe-Trotter suitcases that she bought for her honeymoon in 1947, according to the company’s website.

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Source: RD.com