The royal family has evolved beyond lace and frills to reach the heights of elegance and sophistication. Princess Diana, Catherine Middleton, and Meghan Markle have all managed to pull off breathtaking ensembles with grace and sophistication while having to abide by specific rules and customs as members of the UK royalty.
Numerous looks have created history and even generated controversy over the years. We all have a particular place in our hearts for each royal wedding gown.
Here are some of the most notable royal family fashion statements, from Markle's stunning Oscar de la Renta ensemble of 2018 to Kate's textured white masterpiece from 2019.
Queen Elizabeth's Brightly Colored Wardrobe
We cannot decide which woman in this picture is more beautiful. The Duchess of Cambridge, while wearing a light-colored dress, manages to steal the show with her poise and elegance. However, Queen Elizabeth looks magnificent in her neon green ensemble.
The Queen was known for loving vibrant, upbeat colors, and there's a beautiful explanation for this. According to the documentary The Queen, she dressed colorfully to make herself more visible. In the film, Sophie, the Countess of Wessex, stated, "She needs to stand out for citizens to say, ‘I saw the Queen.’"
Diana Rocked a Revenge Dress
Diana was the best there has ever been at wearing an LBD. She wore this stunning black dress by Christina Stambolian on the day Prince Charles confessed to being unfaithful in a public interview. The "Revenge Dress" is a term that describes this black, form-fitting, off-the-shoulder dress.
Princess Diana wore this outfit to a Vanity Fair party after Prince Charles revealed he was cheating. She received plenty of attention that evening, yet nobody is sure if there is a direct relationship between the outfit and Charles' adultery.
It's All in the Details
When planning outfits for her royal tours, Kate Middleton always balances top British designers with regional names from the nations on her itinerary. However, the Duchess of Cambridge goes beyond brand names to acknowledge the cultural significance of the cultures she visits.
On her last day in Berlin, Kate donned a printed Markus Lupfer dress, but she wasn't just supporting a German designer. You'll notice that the bottle green garment has bird-related illustrations. Kate donned this outfit in honor of Germany, as the country’s national bird is the eagle.
Sporting a Maternity Dress
As the bridesmaid at her sister's royal wedding, Pippa Middleton, Kate's younger sister, made a significant impression on the public by donning a contentious, form-fitting white dress. Pippa also attended the royal wedding of Princess Eugenie in Windsor.
Pippa Middleton looked stylish in a forest green gown by Emilia Wickstead, a royal family favorite. She attended the wedding with her husband, James Matthews, while heavily pregnant with their first child. Pippa finished her ensemble with black accessories and a green hat to match her calf-length dress.
Pretty in Pink
Queen Elizabeth II had a real global impact over her seventy years as monarch, making her the longest-reigning Queen in British history. The Queen frequently communicated with the public and other diplomats through her wardrobe choices, as is traditional within the royal family.
While on an official tour of France, Her Majesty embraced a bold pink color palette, adding a hat with a hint of lilac and a matching Pearl Trefoil brooch at Chateau De Blois. Pink was unquestionably the Queen's favorite color, and teaming that lolly-bright coat with neutral shoes and accessories was a brilliant choice.
Military Inspired Suit
If Kate Middleton has a go-to color, it would be a reasonably regal red. At the launch of the Global Academy in Hayes, England, the Duchess of Cambridge stood out among the crowd. She appeared with her husband, Prince William, and her brother-in-law, Prince Harry, sporting a sharp Armani suit in show-stopping red.
The dart detailing on the bodice and the zippered front gave the suit some sporty characteristics. Still, the skirt set's professional fit and finish gave it a more military-inspired appearance. Middleton wisely wore her trademark stilettos to complete the look.
Repeat Outfits
The Duchess of Cambridge wore this dress twice. The first time Kate Middleton wore this blue outfit was during her 2017 Germany and Poland visit, and the second and most memorable time was at her friend Sophie Carter's wedding.
The dress was created by French fashion designer Catherine Walker, who has longstanding ties to the royal family and works out of London. She was a close friend and a favorite designer of Princess Diana. So while most fashion lovers adore wearing beautiful dresses at weddings, the royals see it as par for the course.
Fairytale Princess for a Day
The Duke and Duchess arrived at the Shangri-La Hotel in Sydney for the Australian Geographic Society Gala Awards following a scenic trip through Australia. Meghan shocked the other guests when she changed into the most exquisite Oscar de la Renta gown. The tulle dress reminded everyone of a fairytale gown that a Disney princess might wear.
She practically became a fairytale princess because of the opulent Oscar de la Renta embellishments. Meghan's dress was described as "a white tulle gown with laser cut birds and black bonded looped ribbon."
Effortlessly Elegant
Meghan Markle traded in the spotlight of Hollywood for that of the royal family, and ever since she was given the title of Duchess, she has exuded an aura of majesty. Meghan Markle always looks elegant with ease.
She insists on being dressed perfectly because of the constant paparazzi and media attention thrown at her. Some people believe Meghan's fashion was modeled after Kate's. Either way, Kate and Meghan are regarded as fashion icons because of their love of labels.
Looking Good in Red
The fascinator hat has long been recognized in royal attire. Having only seen Kate Middleton in pastel hues for a while, everyone's attention was drawn to her when she rocked this stunning red outfit.
Kate is known for recycling her favorite styles, and this one is no exception. She initially wore this red outfit in 2014 while traveling to New Zealand, and then five years later, in 2019, she wore it to the Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey.
Classic Style
A timeless color scheme that has never truly gone out of style is black and white. At the Order of the Garter event in June 2019, Kate made a beautiful entrance wearing a black and white coat dress by Catherine Walker Liza. She matched it with a black hat and clutch.
We can tell the Duchess has a particular style she prefers – coat dresses – but it appears that practically every dress she wears is from a different designer. It's not surprising, given that the English climate necessitates appropriate attire.
A Vintage Look
The royal couple flew to Honiara, the capital city of the Solomon Islands, which is situated on Guadalcanal Island. When William and Kate arrived, they were greeted with customary orchid garlands, the Duchess wearing a Jonathan Saunders dress. She completed the classy socialite style with a white hat, clutch, and heels.
Her retro-inspired checkered dress transports us to the 1960s and 1970s and conjures up memories of Princess Diana's time. Of course, the royal family's appearance has evolved throughout the years, but it appears that the Duchess of Cambridge upholds the most remarkable features from each era.
Kate’s Ultra-Chic Style
Kate Middleton won the unofficial royal style competition with this footwear choice. During Children's Mental Health Week, the Duchess of Cambridge appeared at the Alperton Community School. Thanks to her vibrant green sweater dress from Eponine, Kate not only sported the most popular color in fashion right now, but she also projected cool-girl style with a pair of sleek lace-up boots by L.K. Bennett.
When worn with gorgeous dresses, ankle boots are a game-changer, and Kate's chic-edgy ensemble is no exception. The wife of Prince William decided to wear suede instead of her traditional stilettos this time.
19th Century Fashion
The 40-year-old Duchess' appearance at the Buckingham Palace reception was one of her best. A high collar, puffed sleeves, and buttons down the front of the dress gave the impression of true royalty, demonstrating once more that Kate Middleton looks pretty good in anything.
One of the things we admire most about her is her ability to look fashionable and classically sophisticated at the same time. The baby-blue dress makes her look like a character from a 19th-century tale.
Plain vs. Prints
To discuss the next stage of their Heads Together mental health initiative, William, Kate, and Harry attended a meeting at the Institute of Contemporary Arts in London. A group of inspirational nonprofits known as Heads Together works to combat stigma, increase awareness of mental health issues, and offer assistance to those in need.
Kate wore a new outfit from Erdem for the engagement. Long sleeves, a crew neckline, and a hidden back zip are all highlights of the black, yellow, and blue floral-printed dress. The Duchess paired it with a "conker" suede purse and plain burgundy pumps.
White as Snow
When Kate Middleton traveled to Poland for the royal tour in 2017, she first visited Warsaw. The Duchess of Cambridge paid homage to the nation's red and white flag by donning a white peplum coat by Alexander McQueen and accessorizing with a red clutch. Charlotte, her daughter, was also appropriately attired in a red and white dress.
Like most of her skirt suits and jackets, Kate's ensemble incorporated her feminine and fitted aesthetic. Every time the Duchess leaves the house, she presents herself professionally, with the proper amount of style and without being excessive.
Pregnancy Bloom
People might speculate that Kate Middleton was giving off a color clue as to the gender of her child because she chose to re-wear her bright pink Mulberry dress coat on a London visit. Although it drew attention to her growing baby belly, the main thing is that she looked radiant and shining with good health.
Kate wore this Mulberry coat dress frequently throughout her pregnancy in 2015 and again in 2018. It is undoubtedly one of her favorite ensembles. Her usual style doesn't involve stealing the spotlight, but with her fuchsia coat, she is impossible to overlook in any crowd.
Hats Are Essential
If the royal family is recognized for anything in terms of style, it's their love of hats. The royal family understands the importance of matching hats – huge ones. After all, a hat serves as the crowning splendor while attending official royal family occasions, such as weddings, funerals, or the yearly Royal Ascot.
The Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton, is one of the most adored members of the royal family, and part of what makes her so popular is her undeniable sense of style. Being royal means you must always look your best, but Kate Middleton makes it appear effortless.
Sporty Style
In 2019, Prince William and Catherine, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, paid a visit to Pakistan's National Cricket Academy in Lahore. The thing about Kate's style that we appreciate the most is how she always dresses appropriately for the setting.
The Duchess completed this laid-back outfit by tying her hair up and wearing a pair of clean white sneakers. Kate is renowned for being extremely athletic, and she and William appeared to be having a great time as they participated in a cricket game with kids from the British Council's DOSTI program.
Delicate Pastel Shades
Not many ladies can say they look fantastic in every shade, but Kate Middleton's clothing is as vibrant as her personality. Though she adores red, Kate often wears vibrant clothes in delicate pastel hues.
Though it's difficult to choose Kate's best outfit, this purple pastel dress is a perennial fan favorite, which may partly be why the Duchess has worn it numerous times. You might be surprised to learn that Kate Middleton wears a lot of the same clothes over and over again, even though it seems like her wardrobe is bigger than Buckingham Palace.
The Best Dressed Couple
You might have missed the fact that Kate and William make an effort to coordinate their looks when they attend public occasions. Prince William doesn't wear pink, purple, or yellow suits, of course. However, he will match the color of his wife's clothing with either his tie, pocket handkerchief, or jacket pin.
According to the proverb, a couple who dresses in unison remains together, so perhaps that is their key to success. Kate wore a pastel pink dress and matching headpiece to one of the Queen's opulent Garden Parties, and William matched her look with a pink lapel pin.
Polka Dots Forever
Kate Middleton is able to pull off any style, including polka dots, pretty pastels, checkered patterns, and sequined gowns. The Duchess showed up at Warner Brothers Studio sporting a polka-dot dress that perfectly matched the occasion. As always, she was charming and refined.
Kate was also expecting at the time of this visit, so the polka dots might have been an effort to draw attention away from the baby bump. Kate Middleton, fashionista that she is, proved that this small trick works. As you'll notice from this stylish pregnancy outfit, a black peplum jacket lengthened her legs and curved her upper body.
An Impeccable Holiday Look
Christmas sweaters are among our favorite holiday traditions. However, Kate Middleton has her own Holiday style because the royal family cannot wear those sweaters, at least not when attending official events.
Every year at Christmas, the Duchess wears outfits in shades of green, red, or burgundy to keep the festive mood alive. In 2017, Kate, who was expecting Prince Louis, looked festive as ever when attending the Christmas Day celebration at the Church of St. Mary Magdalene. Kate wore a plaid coat in Christmas colors. She added a furry black hat to finish the look.
Summer Isn’t Over Yet
For Princess Charlotte's first day of school, the Duchess of Cambridge sported a blowout and a couture ensemble. As the family made their way to the Thomas's Battersea school's registration office, Kate Middleton looked like a super-stylish mom in her outfit and big waves.
Kate chose a Michael Kors Carnation Georgette Shirtdress with a flower pattern for the formal event. She complimented it with a thin black belt and her go-to navy suede heels, which also happened to be the same color as Charlotte's school bag. The girly dress has a regal re-wear history in addition to being downright adorable.
Your Majesty in Magenta
While the translucent black dress will always be one of her most recognizable looks, Princess Kate evolved into a far more upscale look. Her outfits are the epitome of traditional and timeless style with a contemporary touch.
Kate Middleton was dressed in a vivid magenta skirt suit by Oscar de la Renta as she went to see the new East Anglia Children's Hospice facility, The Nook. The two-piece outfit was initially worn by Kate in February 2017 and was seen on her again in January 2019, indicating that it is an essential part of her winter wardrobe.
No Clutch for a Day
The Duchess of Cambridge is the master of packing all of her belongings into a small clutch. However, her assortment of girlish top-handle bags has come to represent her style. Kate has carefully chosen from a wide range of handbag manufacturers to complement the wardrobe of a contemporary duchess.
Kate wore this exquisite outfit to stay cozy in the chilly winter months. While the rest of us bundle up in layers, jackets, scarves, and, Yetis, Kate’s out here looking impossibly chic. She strolled the Stockholm streets in a Catherine Walker dress, snow boots, and a Mulberry handbag in January 2018.
A Customized Handbag
Prince William and Prince Harry's first cousin Princess Beatrice of York has also had some remarkable fashion moments. She wore a summer floral dress, her trademark blazer over the shoulders, and a pair of simple ballerina shoes to the 2018 Chelsea Flower Show, but her bag stole the show.
The words "Be Cool Be Nice" were engraved on the side of the Pop and Suki black leather box bag, which delivered a quiet message to the incessant photographers. This is the catchphrase for a 2017 anti-bullying program the princess spearheaded.
Stripes for a Purpose
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle frequently traveled while they continued to be the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. On those trips, Meghan always managed to look her best, embodying the royal family’s style with elegance and charm.
She donned a Martin Grant outfit during their visit to Tonga to meet the island nation’s prime minister. Since everyone is aware that stripes make you look slimmer, Markle's decision to wear them while pregnant with Archie was deliberate. She paired the multidirectional stripes with a waistline bow to try to hide her changing form, and we think it was a total success.
Kate Middleton's Favorite Look
The Duchess of Cambridge's sense of fashion may be summed up by several characteristics, such as her preference for vintage British designers and reusing outfits. Nevertheless, coat dresses are Kate Middleton's most recognizable look.
Kate has worn this dress from Alexander McQueen multiple times, and it is one of her most recognizable outfits. She changes up her footwear and jewelry choices each time she dons the coat dress. Kate wore her favorite outfit – this blue dress – along with diamond earrings and navy heels to the Sir David Attenborough celebration.
Same Dress, Different Look
Kate Middleton seems to live her life exclusively in stilettos and wedge heels. She has a wardrobe that could fill an entire news cycle and owns more fascinators than the average citizen. However, her sense of style is dependably practical. Middleton has worn this floral Alexander McQueen dress twice, with a small change the second time.
She debuted the design at the 2017 BAFTAs in a dress with off-the-shoulder straps. When the duchess went to the National Portrait Gallery in March, she wore the same outfit, but that time, it had cap sleeves.
Kate’s Casual Look
Kate Middleton always has a perfect outfit on, even when she goes outside to visit farm animals. In the course of her promotional tour of the UK for her groundbreaking study, "5 Big Questions on the Under-Fives," the Duchess of Cambridge cut a relaxed figure as she visited the Ark Open Farm close to Belfast.
Kate was spotted petting alpacas and bottle-feeding lambs in this adorable yet subdued outfit. She was dressed chicly in black skinny jeans, brown Penelope Chivers boots, and a khaki jacket.
That Pregnancy Glow
The Princess of Wales rose to prominence around the world because of her unwavering social engagement and ageless grace, but we contend that it was also because of her glitzy fashion sense. The mother of Princes William and Harry will always be regarded as a cherished member of the royal family.
Princess Diana maintained her beauty and poise during her pregnancy with Prince Harry, and her heavenly appearance is one of her most enduring images. She was a sight to behold in her white, peasant-sleeve gown and the Spencer family tiara, a piece from her family's collection that served as her defining item.
A Multi-Colored Gown
The Queen loved wearing colorful outfits, but this one might have been too garish for Her Royal Highness! Queen Elizabeth II wore several colorful ensembles throughout her reign and was renowned for her eye-catching coordinated looks, which ranged from canary yellow to royal blue.
Her Majesty sported this vibrant outfit when she attended the 1990 Royal Variety Performance held at the Birmingham Hippodrome. The Queen had never worn anything quite like it, so it is safe to assume that people were surprised when they first saw it. She looks like Snow White from the 60s!
Sparkle and Shimmer
The Queen always avoided fashion fads that would go out of style in a flash. She wasn't, however, dull in her clothing selections. For the many events she was invited to, Her Majesty had a high fashion standard to satisfy.
Consider the attire she wore for a performance at the Royal Albert Hall in 2012. The Queen was skilled at putting an ensemble together. Let's just take a moment to admire those heels! This glittery costume was certainly a bold one for anyone to pull off. However, the Queen was 86 at the time, making it even more impressive.
Wimbledon Wonder
The members of the royal family aren’t like ordinary people. Most of us would wear our team's shirt when we spend an afternoon courtside, screaming and cheering our hearts out. However, they must dress elegantly, even while they watch sporting events.
Kate Middleton wore an Alexander McQueen patterned dress to the Wimbledon final, where she was seated in the royal box. Kate looks fresh in the dress, which features vibrant prints of butterflies, lips, lipsticks, hummingbirds, and the iconic Alexander McQueen skull.
Official Business
Being royalty has certain advantages, including the opportunity to travel extensively. The Duchess of Cambridge didn't miss a single moment to astound us with her style during their 2019 royal visit to Pakistan.
She wore this outfit to the British High Commissioner for Pakistan's dinner party at the Pakistan Monument at the end of the first day of their tour. That evening, the green sequined dress by British designer Jenny Packham blew everyone away. Even Prince William, who himself looked fairly dashing, appeared pale in comparison to this garment.
Shining Bright
Thanks to Kate Middleton, it appears that the entire royal fan base is in a sunshine state of mind. The Duchess typically wears darker hues, but this afternoon of tennis watching called for bright, cheerful colors.
The Duchess of Cambridge appeared in Sydney, Australia wearing a yellow dress by Roksanda Ilincic, which Prince William dubbed "the banana dress." She paired it with nude heels and her LK Bennett Fern trench coat but substituted a white Victoria Beckham tote bag for her usual handbag.
Beauty Comes Naturally
This image was taken during Meghan Markle's first public appearance as the Duchess of Sussex. As a new member of the royal family, she would have to compete with Kate Middleton's gorgeous appearances, but she quickly established her ground.
It didn't take her long to discover that hats were a requirement for any official engagement during the day. Three days after she married Prince Harry, Markle once again astounded the world by donning a light pink dress by none other than Goat with sheer sleeves.
A Silent Tribute
Although the Duchess of Cambridge appears to wear her navy dress suit constantly, it has special significance for her. She sported this Alexander McQueen outfit in February 2020 to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the fashion designer's passing. It was her way of showing her respect for him.
As it turns out, Kate gives great care to her fashion choices and nothing about her attire is accidental. Almost every piece the Duchess wears has a backstory, whether it's a cultural nod or a celebration of a dear friend and a gifted designer.
Comfortably Elegant
Markle appeared in a bright blue shirt dress with two smart leg slits and a tie at the waist during their royal visit to South Africa. To us, it appears to be a dress for the red carpet, but as a royal, Markle would likely view it as more casual attire.
Previously, Meghan wore this outfit on a royal tour of the Pacific. Who can blame her? During their South Africa tour, she also frequently wore those platform sandals with a different outfit. They appear classy yet comfortable, making them ideal for warm weather.