Princess Charlotte worth over 3 billion pounds to British economy

London - 'The Firm,' as Queen Elizabeth reportedly calls the royal family, is big business for the United Kingdom, worth an estimated 57 billion pounds. From fashion and brands, tourism and commemorative memorabilia to awareness of charities, the royal family are estimated to add 1.155 billion pounds to the UK economy this year alone.

Fashion companies and retailers are some of the largest benefactors of being associated with the royal family. The well-known ‘Kate effect’ is a reflection of the brands worn by the Duchess of Cambridge that reportedly bring 4.795 billion pounds to the brands she wears and subtly endorses, according to data from Brand Finance.

However it is the latest addition to the royal family, Princess Charlotte, who at four months old is worth over 3 billion pounds to the UK, despite only having been seen in public a few times.

The "Charlotte effect" brought a huge uplift to fashion and other brands the little princess has worn or been associated with. Her birth generated economic benefits of more than 150 million dollars, Brand Finance estimates.

The lacy shawl Charlotte wore when she was first introduced has been a best-seller ever since, according to makers G H Hurt and Son in Nottingham. The 68 pound merino wool item was produced by the small family run firm based in Chilwell, to a pattern that was first woven in the 1920s. Now orders are coming in from all over the world.

Prince George is is worth 2.398 billion pounds to the economy, presumably mostly pushed by his toddler outfits. His Christening outfit from retailer Rachel Riley, which sells for 85 pounds, sold out within hours after the name of the brand was revealed.