Kate Middleton has become a fashion icon since she wore the now famed Issa silk blue jersey dress during the announcement of her engagement to Prince William in 2010, but perhaps it's her penchant of carrying small purses that is now getting the attention of the fashion world. The pregnant royal is being blamed for the growing trend of carrying tiny purses.

When she's not carrying flowers, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, is seen holding onto her favourite accessory, a tiny clutch. No matter what she's wearing, if it's a public even to or a function where she's bound to be seen and photographed, it's almost always certain that she will be holding a small purse.

Her tiny bags are most probably just props to keep her idle hands busy while she's in public eye. It's even possible that she's carrying empty purses. But just the same, the fashion industry is now emulating her lead.

"If she's done anything for the handbag, it's the fact that she wears small clutch bags," famed British accessories fashion designers Lulu Guinness told the Telegraph.

"Personally, I am making my clutch bags smaller next season, so they're more delicate and ladylike, and that's to do with her, I think."

Small purses look feminine, true, but they're not very practical. There's hardly anything that can fit inside them, save for car keys and a few bills.

The pregnant wife of Prince William doesn't need to worry about inconsequential details such as space management, though. As Guinness noted, Kate is "very elegant, but she's also got people carrying the other things she needs, and a big car waiting for her."

Meanwhile, her brother-in-law, Prince Harry, has reportedly just revealed the gender of her unborn child. Harry, who is will be bumped from third to fourth in line to the British throne once Kate and William's child is born, was so excited that he is going to have a nephew that he has told everyone the news.

"Harry has been telling everyone Will and Kate are having a boy and how thrilled he is at the prospect of having a little nephew," a source told The Mirror.

Kate is due to give birth in July.