You reddit it here first! William and Harry’s frog wellies hop back into fashion... for adults

WITH their googly eyes and wide red mouths, novelty frog wellies became essential footwear for any well-dressed child of the 1980s – thanks to toddler Princes William and Harry raising their profile.

Forty years on and the Wellipets are making a surprise comeback – and this time aimed at adults – after making a surprise appearance on the catwalks of Milan.

The brand first launched in 1983 and caught the eye of Princess Diana, who dressed her sons in matching pairs. But fashions changed, and the brand was wound down in the early 2000s.

Now this fairytale of frogs and princes may have a happy ending, as the wellies are back in production, with a luxury Italian-made adult version, complete with suede leather insoles, set to hit the market this spring. And the price has leapfrogged accordingly, to about £170.

It comes after Northern Irish designer JW Anderson unveiled frog-faced clogs at Milan Fashion Week, designed in collaboration with the British firm. Wellipets brand manager Vincent De Vreese said they readily agreed to the tie-up, adding: ‘His brand is known for giving a spin to make things more interesting. We gave him total creative freedom.’

He anticipates the adult Wellipets, left, will appeal to the same customers who wore them as children in the 1980s. They have already been successfully revived for youngsters, with an ‘extensive’ waiting list, even at £75 a pair. Mr De Vreese hopes William and Harry will buy pairs for themselves or their children – especially Harry’s daughter. ‘Wellipets for Lilibet has a nice ring to it,’ he said.