The regular British Taxpayer sees the duchy as their money (because Charles gets this mostly from the land) - It isn't true but the royals exist because we want them to and that's where the problem lies. The dress was too much, especially when she isn't going to wear it again. Not in an official role that she was able to get the dress through anyway.
But no, they didn't walk away because of bad press or privacy.
But no, they didn't walk away because of bad press or privacy.