Anya Hindmarch

When the Duchess of Sussex claimed that she spends her time Googling small and up-and-coming designers to put them in the global spotlight and boost sales, she raised eyebrows amongst royal watchers. While she undoubtedly can be credited with putting the British brand Strathberry on the map, she often chose to wear high-end - and expensive - designer labels such as Givenchy, Dior and Oscar de la Renta on official engagements. And, certainly, she is not the only member of the Royal Family to propel British brands to success: many labels attribute their sales boosts to the royal seal of approval.

Move aside Hermes, Chanel and Prada - because this season's must-have bag is the humble tote. Although these branded shopping bags typically cost under a tenner, that doesn't mean there isn't a hierarchy among fashion fans. Earlier this month, one London-based Reddit user questioned if their tote bag from Daunt Books - a famous bookstore in Marylebone - was still trendy. The anonymous fashion fan wrote: 'After a decade at the top, Daunt Books seems to no longer be the "it bag" of the middle class commuter who wants to show off that they think. What's it been replaced with, though?' The question sparked fierce debate in the forum - with some arguing that the New Yorker's branded bags still reigned supreme while others claimed a hipster bakery bag was now on top. As the debate continues to rage on online, brand expert Nick Ede tells FEMAIL what your tote bag of choice really says about you.

The Duchess of Sussex, 43, visited Godmothers in Summerland, located just a few miles from where she lives in Montecito, on September 2. Pictured leaving the store in photos obtained by People magazine , Prince Harry 's wife was seen carrying a £195 leather matchbook keyring by British designer Anya Hindmarch. The cream charm - described on the brand's website as a 'whimsical' addition to any bag or keys - is emblazoned with the phrase 'Take What You Need', while inside the keyring, words such as hugs, love and a smile are embellished on the fabric. Opting for a low-key look, Meghan wore a simple V-neck blue jumper teamed with a large straw sun hat and Ray-Ban sunglasses.