The Princess of Wales broke the internet this week after ladies up and down the country clambered for the outfit she wore at Wimbledon last weekend – a stunning purple dress by the designer Safiyaa, known as the “Cecelia”.

The “Cecelia” is currently being sold for £1,295, but for those without such a budget cheaper alternatives available on the high street have been snapped up to copy Princess Kate’s style.

A source has revealed that one of the main sources of Princess Kate’s fashion inspiration comes from searching the internet herself for brands she likes to wear on a well-known online shopping website. Express.co.uk is aware of the name of the online retailer but has chosen to withhold it.

“Kate does some of her clothes shopping online,” said the source.

“She takes tips about the latest fashions from what’s trending online and she really has her finger on the pulse. Kate has a real eye for fashion.”

The online fashion retailer Kate uses includes hundreds of the world’s most coveted designer brands – including Gucci, Chloe, Prada, and Stella McCartney, some of which have been worn by Princess Kate, 42.

“Kate is actually very frugal and only purchases items that she knows will get picked up so she can support the British fashion industry,” said the source.

“The items are usually sent over for Kate to try in two sizes to see which fits best then she’ll pay for it like everyone else. She doesn’t like any special treatment.”

It was revealed in 2021 that the Princess of Wales boosted the British fashion industry up to £1 billion within that year and in the following three years, Kate’s love of fashion has supported the British fashion industry with a further £2 billion.

“Kate is also a big fan of high street labels like Zara and Topshop and feels it important that she supports British-based brands,” said the source.

“Kate is very careful about her fashion choices. She likes to support particular designers and high street stores that are loved by the British people.”

Princess Kate’s influential fashion choices have sparked what is known as ‘The Kate Effect’ where any outfit she’s seen wearing is snapped up from the shelves in minutes.

When the Princess was spotted wearing a light blue off-the-shoulder sundress from her favourite high street store Zara while watching Prince William compete in a charity polo tournament in 2018, the £39 outfit sold out within minutes.

While on an official tour of India with Prince William in 2017, Kate beat the heat in a loose smock dress with a red and black print. The midi-style frock was from Topshop and sold out within an hour.

Kate is also known to be a big fan of upmarket high street label L.K. Bennett, and is regularly spotted in its designs.

The Princess accessorised her purple Wimbledon dress last weekend with a pair of gold earrings and a £225 L.K. Bennett handbag.

Princess Kate made her return to Wimbledon last Sunday accompanied by her daughter Princess Charlotte and her younger sister Pippa.

It was only the second time the Princess had made a public appearance this year after she attended Trooping the Colour last month, as she had been undergoing cancer treatment.