Kate Middleton owns the Smythson Panama East West Zip Tote in black.
The Princess often carries the Smythson bag as she travels to and from royal engagements. Above, she’s holding the item as she leaves Lahore Airport during the 2019 visit to Pakistan. Below, Kate is pictured with the black tote at Glasgow Train Station during a visit in 2021:
Here, Kate is seen holding the bag after a flight from London to Copenhagen. She’s at an airport in the city, being welcomed to Denmark by British Ambassador Emma Hopkins. (Picture via the UKinDenmark Twitter account.)
Kate also carried the bag while departing from a Community Impact Day in Wales (Feb 2023) while boarding her train as she departed from Birmingham (below, Mar 2023) and walking into the Future Workforce Summit (Nov 2025).
We know The Princess has carried the black zipped tote bag for almost ten years. There’s a paparazzi picture from 2016 showing her holding the item while preparing to board a helicopter (she was on her way to an engagement at a prison at the time).
About the Smythson Panama East-West Tote:
The Smythson Panama East West Tote Bag is a versatile accessory. Its size and durability make it perfect for carrying essentials while on the go, whether for work, travel or leisure. The long tubular straps ensure the bag is comfortable to carry on the shoulder, making it an excellent option for busy days or shopping trips.
The black tote’s classic design works for more formal occasions, such as business meetings, too.
The bag’s timeless black colour and simple shape will complement a variety of outfits, from a casual jeans-and-t-shirt look to a more formal dress or suit.
The east-west design of the bag gives it a wider shape, making it noticeably wider than it is tall. This design makes it ideal for carrying larger items while still being a comfortable size to carry around. Inside, there’s a zipped slip pocket, handy for storing ID and bank cards.
The bag is made from the brand’s famous Panama leather, originally used for the iconic Panama diary designed by Frank Smythson in 1908. The leather is known for its durability and flexibility. I’ve read that the leather’s grain makes it harder to damage, ensuring that the bag will last for years to come.
Kate has certainly demonstrated the investment-worthy quality of this bag, having been seen carrying it for over eight years.
The East-West tote that Kate carries has a pocket and gold hardware on the front. Smythson have now discontinued this style.
- Made in Italy
- Finished with elegant tonal topstitching
- Embossed with the company’s branding in gold
- Closes with a zip for security
- Easily fits a laptop
Does Kate Middleton own any other Smythson bags?
Yes, we’ve seen the Princess carry four items from Smythson in total. In addition to the East-West Panama Tote featured on this page, she’s carried the black Ludlow Concertina Crossbody bag, the Navy Panama Purse (pictured below) and an A4 Writing Folder in Black Mara (pictured below) The Princess is clearly a fan of the London-based leather goods company.
