The firm behind the royals’ favourite handbags: Aspinal of London’s founder ‘hugely honoured’ that Kate Middleton, Camilla, and Zara love the £595 Midi Mayfair (and other designs)

Aspinal of London has earned a special place as one of the royal family’s favorite accessory brands.

Founded in 2002 by British entrepreneur Iain Burton, the company is known for its beautiful handbags, which have been worn on the arms of royal ladies such as Kate Middleton.

Kate’s most beloved design, the Midi-Mayfairis an example of the British label’s exceptional craftsmanship and timeless vintage elegance.

Burton told MailOnline how delighted he was to have such high-profile admirers in attendance: ‘We at Aspinal are incredibly honoured and proud that the Royal Family have supported Aspinal over the years.

‘Princess Catherine is one of the most beloved, respected and iconic women in the world.’

He added: ‘Everyone in the fashion industry pays attention to what they wear, and that is widely reported worldwide.’

Burton previously co-founded the now-defunct independent music label Fanfare Records with Simon Cowell.

He initially rose to fame by inventing and supplying audio guides through his company Antenna Audio to some of the world’s most famous museums, including the National Gallery, the Louvre and the Vatican.

This collaboration led to Aspinal becoming a supplier of custom-made leather accessories and stationery for museum shops.

His vision to create a heritage brand characterised by exquisite craftsmanship, luxurious materials, bold colours and contemporary design has received global recognition.

The Princess of Wales has carried four Aspinal of London bags since introducing her first, an Eaton Clutch, at a friend’s wedding in 2011.

Kate’s favourite style seems to be the Midi Mayfair, which she introduced in 2018 and has been wearing on repeat ever since.

“The Mayfair is the embodiment of quintessentially refined English elegance, which we believe perfectly suits the Princess’s style and grace,” Burton said proudly.

‘Princess Catherine’s association with our Mayfair bag in particular has of course made an invaluable contribution to building Aspinal’s profile and reputation, and has also enhanced Mayfair sales worldwide.’

Priced at £595, the Midi Mayfair is crafted from full-grain Italian leather and features Aspinal’s signature shield lock and logo.

Available in 26 colours with smooth, textured and patterned finishes, the classic, vintage-inspired design has a timeless appeal.

It is worn not only by royals but also by a large number of celebrities.

However, the current design has changed significantly from the original version launched 17 years ago.

‘Our Mayfair is perhaps the brand’s most produced design, worn by celebrities and members of the Royal Family, although you would hardly recognise the original Mayfair from 2007 as the famous Mayfair we have today,’ Burton explains.

The Mayfair’s celebrated style evolved over time, step by step, from the original concept design to the now recognisable silhouette, with the iconic Midi Mayfair leading the way.

‘Over the years, Mariya Dykalo, our Artistic Executive Designer, and I have reinvented the size and proportions to create a bag that we hope exudes understated luxury… a fusion of ‘modern yet classic, cool yet vintage’. Truly the perfect bag for day, night, and any occasion.’

The Mayfair is currently sold in three sizes, from mini to large.

Discussing the design process, Burton said the first phase involved creating the iconic shield lock.

“The design and creation of our Mayfair shield lock is an interpretation of the Aspinal shield in our logo,” he says.

‘Why a shield logo? Because the Aspinal shield is a heraldic symbol of strength, trust, quality, service and of course centuries-old craftsmanship.’

The Midi Mayfair is the perfect size for storing everyday essentials, with three internal compartments and a slip pocket at the back for easy organisation and access.

In addition to her black crocodile version, Kate also has a lilac color that has been discontinued since 2018.

With both bags, she chooses to remove the detachable shoulder strap and carry them by the handle instead.

Queen Consort Camilla and Zara Tindall are also fond of the Midi Mayfair and have both been spotted wearing the stylish burgundy crocodile version.

In March, Zara impressed again with the Mayfair 2, which was released in 2023 to celebrate the 10th anniversary of its predecessor.

She showed off the £750 black and red ombre croc style at the Cheltenham Festival, adding a striking touch to her competition attire.

The updated design features a sleeker silhouette, a thick chain handle and a contemporary look, yet retains Aspinal’s charming aesthetic.

“We hope the Mayfair has become a forever bag; a rare English icon that stands the test of time, transcends trends and fast fashion and has been worn time and time again by celebrities throughout the years,” Burton said.

‘Forbes magazine recently said of the design: “Think Jane Birkin, with a touch of English charm. The Mayfair Bag is a vintage favourite” – I’m happy with it.’

Zara has an extensive collection of Aspinal bags, including the £550 Ella Crossbody Bag, the £350 Raffia Crossbody Bag and the £395 Micro Lottie Crossbody Bag.

Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie wore the iconic burgundy crocodile leather hatbox on several occasions over the festive period.

Queen Consort Camilla’s affinity with the brand has been strong for many years.

In 2016, she wore the £450 Letterbox Saddle Bag for the first time to a literature festival at Peterborough Cathedral, marking the beginning of her ongoing love affair with London-based Aspinal.

This company focuses on timeless, sustainable and responsible luxury.

The company is consciously developing its sustainability strategy, Bee Aspinal, in which the commitments are described under the headings ‘Product’, ‘Planet’, ‘Partnership’ and ‘People’.

Aspinal no longer uses single-use plastics and only uses ethically sourced raw materials.

“I am extremely proud that Aspinal still adheres to its original brand values, respecting both the customer and the product,” said Burton.

‘We continually strive to create the highest quality products, handmade by dedicated, artisan craftsmen.

‘We handcraft beautiful designs from premium leather, materials and components, offering exceptional value for money to our customers.

‘This ethic has put Aspinal on the map as the place to go for superior quality and the place to go for high-quality, personalized gifts that last forever.’

The brand’s future business plan is clear: it remains committed to delivering high-quality products and adhering to ethical practices.

Burton added: ‘As Aspinal continues to grow and expand, both in the UK and internationally, our team understands exactly who we are, what we stand for and what we are trying to achieve.

‘Aspinal customers can still count on the highest quality materials, craftsmanship and timeless style, delivering honest, old-fashioned brand values ​​to the luxury market.’