Kate Middleton got a vegan leather handbag for her birthday

(Image credit: 2020 Max Mumby/Indigo)

You might have missed it due to the media storm around Meghan Markle and Prince Harry stepping down as senior members of the royal family, but it was actually Kate Middleton's 38th birthday yesterday.

The Duchess of Cambridge was spotted entering Buckingham Palace, where she was expected to celebrate in private with Prince William, and other members of the royal family, although the Queen and Prince Philip are reportedly still in Sandringham.

Whilst we aren't yet sure what her family got her for her birthday, we do know she received a very conscious fashion gift from PETA.

The handbag by Parisian brand ASHOKA, is made from apple leather, which is of course completely vegan and eco friendly.

'Vegan accessories in materials like apple leather are kinder to the planet and animals. PETA hopes the gift will encourage the Duchess make conscious, animal-friendly choices in her wardrobe – and her many admirers to do the same', explains PETA Director Elisa Allen.

Shop now: BRIGITTE apple vegan leather bag for €240 from ASHOKA

The bag is still available to buy should you wish to mimic Kate, though we're not entirely sure whether she will be wearing it as royals aren't technically allowed to accept gifts.

This comes after the royal couple announced the Earthshot Prize late last year, to 'inspire the the planet’s greatest problem solvers to solve Earth’s greatest problems'.

Penny Goldstone

Penny Goldstone is the Digital Fashion Editor at Marie Claire, covering everything from catwalk trends to royal fashion and the latest high street and Instagram must-haves.

Penny grew up in France and studied languages and law at the Sorbonne Nouvelle University in Paris before moving to the UK for her MA in multimedia journalism at Bournemouth University. She moved to the UK permanently and has never looked back (though she does go back regularly to stock up on cheese and wine).

Although she's always loved fashion - she used to create scrapbooks of her favourite trends and looks, including Sienna Miller and Kate Moss' boho phase - her first job was at MoneySavingExpert.com, sourcing the best deals for everything from restaurants to designer sales.

However she quit after two years to follow her true passion, fashion journalism, and after many years of internships and freelance stints at magazines including Red, Cosmopolitan, Stylist and Good Housekeeping, landed her dream job as the Digital Fashion Editor at Marie Claire UK.

Her favourite part of the job is discovering new brands and meeting designers, and travelling the world to attend events and fashion shows. Seeing her first Chanel runway IRL at Paris Fashion Week was a true pinch-me moment.