Agreed - Charles patches his jackets, has suits from decades ago and very expensive shoes that he wears for years and has resoled. It helps he has worn the same style for decades. I don’t think Catherine has ever work a £100,000 outfit, except possibly her wedding dress.
Meghan wanted Oprah money, Beyoncé money, Bezos money - just for existing?
Mum and I were today talking about my one cousin who hasn't turned away amidst this narc drama. She's not been keeping well, and though she's cut down her social life quite a bit, she still has to entertain guests and attend weddings, events, lunches etc a lot. So not a lot of opportunity to really rest. Mum said maybe it's by choice, but I said it's more how she was raised - trained to always be 'ready' (as in dressed up nicely to receive guests/go out at short notice), be social and smiling and the life of the party no matter how she's feeling health or emotion-wise. Rather like Catherine, I suppose.
She was born to a wealthy, social family, married into a similar one. They have these expectations of all members of the family. Everyone plays a role. The men have to work, daughters and DILs either work or if they stay at home, they don't exactly get to stay at home. They manage the house, play hostess, do charity work, go out and socialise. The men, when they are at home or at special events, also have to be attentive hosts. Socialising is networking and drives most of their businesses. It's hard work - remember names and details of everyone's lives, always be lively and pleasant, be able to talk about a variety of subjects, and women's fancy clothes and heels are never comfy, also keeping an eye on/managing the catering etc.
And yes, I've seen them do the same sort of things as Charles - though it's a part of our culture to patch and use or reuse things for years. Hand-me-downs etc used to be such a good thing for us, though now people make faces over it (my aunt used to give me the best stuff - even gave me one of her bridal outfits that I've kept nicely and plan to incorporate something from it if I ever get married).
No one gets paid to just exist, at least not in half-sensible families. Yes, there are some bad eggs who are totally useless, but really, Smegs shouldn't be aspiring for that title the way she bangs on about her chariddeeee.