When it comes to dining, Middleton is a creature of habit. She loves Bluebird, where the rich and highlighted come in their fur vests to nosh on eggs Benedict and hamburgers. Housed in a former garage, Bluebird is actually two restaurants, with a gourmet grocery store and a clothing boutique stocking Azzedine Alaia, Marni, Phillip Lim and more. (Chris Jackson / For The Times)
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Reiss on King’s Road in Chelsea, where Middleton scored the sleek cream dress she wore in her engagement photos. (Chris Jackson / For The Times)
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On her 29th birthday, Kate and sister Pippa ate at the upscale, modern French restaurant Tom Aikens in South Kensington, where the French waiters are so heavily accented, you just have to grin and nod. The creative cuisine runs the gamut from a tomato-less gazpacho to truffle panna cotta. (Chris Jackson / For The Times)
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LK Bennett is where the style icon in training goes for her sensible kitten heels. The round-toe, 2 1/2-inch Sabira heels resemble Christian Louboutin’s Simple pumps but at a fraction of the price, just $147. LK Bennett is reminiscent of Ann Taylor pre-makeover -- lots of office-appropriate pencil skirts and feminine polka dot blouses (both $203), along with conservative silk jersey dresses ($300) and diamante clutch purses ($276). (Chris Jackson / For The Times)
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Whistles, where Kate Middleton bought the scalloped-edge ivory blouse she wore in some of the engagement photos, is in the same shopping complex, fronting Kings Road. The brand is a bit like Madewell, not sexy but sweet. For spring, that means a smart-looking fluorescent pink knife-pleat skirt ($154); a black tie-shoulder jumpsuit ($406) and a lucky horse print blouse ($138). (Chris Jackson / For The Times)
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Back down King’s Road at Sloane Square, Peter Jones is the Middleton family’s go-to department store. The store, which feels like a Macy’s or Bloomingdale’s equivalent, features some of the same brands found on the high street, along with selected designers, including British accessories brand Mulberry. Perhaps this is where Middleton picked up the postman’s lock clutch she carries so often. (Chris Jackson / For The Times)
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Jigsaw London, at the west end of Duke of York Square, is where Middleton worked as an accessories buyer in 2007. It has the prettiness of J. Crew and the bohemian appeal of Anthropologie. For spring, that means $57 Breton stripe shirts, $80 T-shirts with silk rose appliqués, along with fluttery metallic floral dresses ($317) and some very cool-looking Hunter wellies with a distressed finish. (Although Middleton braves the elements in her trusty suede Aquatalia boots.) The rest of the accessories are somewhat lackluster, including fabric bead necklaces, raffia clutches and woven leather totes ($89 to $479). (Chris Jackson / For The Times)
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Middleton also loves a bargain, and on Kensington High Street just a few blocks away from Kensington Palace is TK Maxx, the British version of TJ Maxx. Middleton reportedly enjoys riffling through the racks of last season’s mirrored Lanvin sandals ($291 down from $991); Valentino tops ($242 from $731); and Alexander McQueen dresses ($761 from $2,567). Perhaps she can send a footman down to check out the latest “designer labels for less.” As if. (Chris Jackson / For The Times)
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When Kate joined her future stepmother-in-law, Camilla Parker Bowles, for lunch recently, they hit Koffman’s at the Berkeley Hotel in Knightsbridge, which attracts helmet-haired ladies of a certain age and men in three-piece suits who enter through the discreet side entrance. This is not a place for diners looking to experience Britain’s modern culinary revolution (it is traditional French, helmed by chef Pierre Koffman). Kate and Camilla dined on rabbit and foie gras. Black pudding is also on the menu. (Chris Jackson / For The Times)
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Beauchamp Place, a swanky street that’s just a few blocks down Brompton Road past Harrods, was one of Princess Diana‘s stamping grounds and is a Kate Middleton hangout as well. In January, rumors started flying that British designer Bruce Oldfield was designing her wedding dress when Middleton was spotted coming out of his Beauchamp Place boutique with her mother and sister. (Chris Jackson / For The Times)
