Modern Royal Fashion

Modern Royal Fashion is a style of clothing and accessories of people having the status of a king or queen or being a member of their family. It focuses on royal fashion from the second half of 19th century and usually follows specific rules. It may be defined as any item of clothing and footwear adopted by a royal family member and influencing the population in their purchasing decisions.
Royal fashion may be divided based on the royal houses and their countries and it is usually associated with high quality and price. It itself follows the latest trends, but is influenced by the traditions of royal families as well and works as a catalyzer for spreading new styles to the population. Elements of individual choice and duty converge in the choice of garments for a member of a royal house, as they often have the function to represent the countries they govern. Queens and princesses are often discussed in the media for their fashion choice. Info about male royals is much less available.
Royal Fashion by Countries
From Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret to Princess Charlene of Monaco (2015) a lot of royal fashion icons highly inspire the wardrobes of the modern society. , Queen Maxima of the Netherlands, Crown Princess Mary of Denmark, Queen Rania of Jordan, Princess Charlene of Monaco and The Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden are among the most influential dressers in the modern world. They may be found as royal descendants (like the Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden) or extended royal family members (Crown Princess Mary of Denmark, Queen Rania (Jordan), Princess Charlene of Monaco, Kate Middleton (UK), Queen Maxima (Netherlands)).
The Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden has a glamorous style wearing flattering jewel-toned ball gowns with royal sash, jaw-dropping brooches and hair bun with tiara during the official dinners, but favors simpler, classic separates in her off-time. The princess is a big fan of the Swedish clothing giant “H&M” and often steps out for royal duty in pieces designed by the high class designers like Ralph Lauren, Dolce & Gabbana, Valentino, etc. Whyred, Séraphine, Sophie by Sophie, Acne, Dulong Fine Jewelry, Zadig and Voltaire may be also found in her vibrant wardrobe. Princess Victoria tends to experiment texture and prints. Her most memorable look to date is the off-the-shoulder gown by Swedish designer Pär Engsheden she wore on her wedding day.
Elegant style and clever use of color have made Denmark's Crown Princess Mary (an Australian native) popular among fashion critics and royal fans. Her affinity for sharp tailoring keeps her ahead of the style stakes and makes her “inspiring” for society even during the day-offs. She is often spotted in Danish designers, such as Ole Lynggaard Copenhagen or Jesper Hovring and continues to solidify her fashion status as one of Vanity Fair’s best dressed royals. Like the Duchess of Cambridge, Princess Mary is often spotted wearing the same item over several occasions. The Princess is beloved in her home country of Australia, often featuring on the covers of magazines like Vogue. She was photographed in a repeat Rabens Saloner blouse at a Fri for Mobberi (Free from Bullying) event organized by her charitable foundation, which she has worn on several occasions since 2009.
″I find it difficult to speak of myself as a role model, as role models are defined by the individual. It is what they see in a person that gives meaning or inspiration to them that makes another person a role model for them. It’s not something I consciously think about. But at the same time, I am very aware of my role and my responsibility. If I can inspire others and if others see something in me that can motivate them, then that’s a big compliment. ...It will take time to create real and sustainable change. If we are talking about the textile and fashion industry, it is one of the most female-dominated industries in the world and yet many of these working women are voiceless. I do use the platform I have built up over the years as a vocal and passionate voice for the empowerment of women and girls and the protection and respect of their human rights to bring attention to this.″ the Crown Princess said. It is evident from Mary's shopping behavior that she tends to experiment with clothes, but still returns to a favorite trouser suits and elegant dresses.
Queen Máxima of the Netherlands is renowned for her flamboyant style, mixing elegant gowns and bold, block colors. She knows how to balance royalty with motherhood from a canary yellow tunic trouser suit during a state visit to Brunei to a cascading champagne gown at the 2011 state opening of parliament. More recently Maxima has shopped locally, showcasing stunning creations by a small Amsterdam-based atelier, Jan Taminiau. For the royal couple's only televised interview prior to the abdication, Maxima's regal blue dress matched her husband's tie. The event was observed by 4.6 million viewers, roughly a quarter of the population.
Her extravagant ivory Mikado silk wedding gown was created by Italian designer Valentino. ″She has this Latin charisma and an amazing smile that have made her extremely popular. She's undoubtedly a woman of our times… active, enjoys fashion as well as her role in the family and the nation″ said Edouard Vermeulen, creative director of Belgian fashion house Natan. Máxima wore his custom-made design during the inauguration.
Queen Rania of Jordan is a mother of four children and the Queen of almost 10 million residents in the Kingdom of Jordan. She has been representing Middle Eastern fashion. Since marrying in 1993, her look has evolved along with her royal role. Before adopting the royal glitz and glam, Rania's style reflected that of a regular teen in her New English School yearbook. Although the queen does not appear often in public, she is still listed among Vanity Fair’s top 10 most fashionable first ladies. Her style choices vary between neutral and bold colors such as royal blue, purple and orange. She often wears the garments of Middle Eastern designers and fashion houses such as Elie Saab, Krikor Jabotian, Aennis Eunis and Sarah's Bag.
Queen Rania has used her status to correct what she sees as Western misconceptions about the Arab world, stating that ″Islam neither requires one to be practicing, nor to dress in one way or another, so imposing the veil on a woman is contrary to the principals of Islam … Unfortunately, after all the suspicion weighing on Islam, many people have begun to consider the veil as a political problem, but this is not the case … Wearing the veil is a free personal choice".
Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, 33-year-old mother of two, tends to dress with the appropriate color and design accompanied by accessory touches or subtle custom detailing that give recognition to the place she's visiting or the people with whom she meets. She is able to mix high end fashion with high street style and often recycles old outfits. When it comes to Kate Middleton’s fashion brands, the Duchess seems to favor British designers including Alice Temperley, Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen and Jenny Packham. British jeweler Monica Vinader has been one of the Duchess’s go-to brands since 2014. Regarding shoes, Kate Middleton is loyal to the label L.K. Bennett. Her collection comprises classic heels, showstopper sandals and nude pumps.

Since marrying Prince Albert II of Monaco in 2011, Princess Charlene of Monaco - a former Olympic swimmer - has developed a reputation for her elegantly refined style. Whether it is carrying out charitable engagements or attending glittering royal events, South African born Charlene always chooses modern, streamlined looks with Armani, Christian Dior and Akris among her favorite designers. Charlene wore an Armani Privé gown for her wedding, channeling her late mother-in-law, Grace Kelly. For her 2016 Christmas card though, she turned to Ralph Lauren to create a festive gold dress.
Royal Fashion by Occasion
Members of the royal family have to consider their dress code when appearing at a public engagement. For royal dressmakers, this is far more complex than simply designing a show-stopping outfit. A whole host of elements have to be addressed, such as setting, backdrops and media scrutiny. How a particular color or type of fabric looks in photographs must also be considered.
Wedding of Queen Rania of Jordan
Queen Rania of Jordan chose British designer Bruce Oldfield to create her wedding look. Drawing on inspiration from the embellishments on Syrian formal dresses exhibited at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, Oldfield added gold detailing to the trim of the bride’s voluminous gown, matching hair ornament and gloves. The exaggerated lapels, short sleeves, and large belt seem like a power suit gone formal. The skirt was full with folds and extended into a train at the back. Rania arrived in a cloud of veil, including one to cover her face. Her towering hairdo was accented not with a tiara but a headband-type affair.
Princess Charlene & Prince Albert II Meeting with Pope in Vatican City
Princess Charlene is one of seven women in the world that has been given “the privilege of the white” (“le privilège du blanc” in French or “il privilegio del bianco” in Italian) or the ability to wear white instead of black when meeting with the pope. During her meeting with Pope Francis at the Apostolic Palace, Princess Charlene was wearing a white lace mantilla and collarless winter coat in an all-white outfit. The special tradition is extended solely to designated Catholic queens and princesses and is usually reserved for important events at the Vatican such as private audiences, canonizations, beatifications and special masses. Normal protocol for papal audiences requires that ladies wear a long black dress with a high collar, long sleeves and a black mantilla.
Queen Maxima celebrating Prinsjesdag (Little Prince's Day)
Prinsjesdag is the opening of the new parliamentary year of the Staten-Generaal (Dutch Senate and House of Representatives). Floor-length gowns, orders and hats are required for this occasion. Queen Máxima was in a fuchsia colored Natan gown which she previously wore during the official visit to Qatar in 2011. The Prinsjesdag rules can be traced back through the 18th century, but the dress code has not changed by then. Queen Máxima topped her cherry red tailored Valentino gown with a coordinating “ruched calot” hat designed by Fabienne Delvigne.

Kate Middleton’s royal tour in Canada
In 2016 the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visited Canada with their children, Prince George and Princess Charlotte, for a royal tour, five years after they first visited the country as newly-weds. After 7 days of touring the country with her husband and children, the Princess opted for a more casual look for her last public appearances. Instead of dressing in designer, Kate appeared with a look from Zara and H&M. She wore a simple ribbed top from high street label H&M underneath, and this appears to be the same one, she sported to visit the Eden Project earlier in September. The Duchess worked a monochrome suit from Zara for her visit to The Cridge Centre for the Family in Victoria. She also kept her hair and makeup minimalistic, with natural make up and a low ponytail.
Royal baby fashion
A lot of focus has been put on royal children and their style starting from Prince George of the United Kingdom to Princess Estelle of Sweden who tend to respond to traditional and classic design.
The British upper class are always keen to hold on to traditions and lay out little fashion trendsetter Prince George in shorts and knee high socks. According to an etiquette, there is a tradition among the aristocrats and royals to dress young boys in shorts as trousers are deemed “suburban”. The tradition can be traced back throughout the Royal Family, Prince William and Harry seen regularly wearing shorts until they were deemed old enough to progress to full-length trousers.
Princess Catharina-Amalia is next in line to take over the throne and will one day be crowned the Queen of the Netherlands. She usually appears in public places with her younger sisters, 8-year-old Princess Alexia and 6-year-old Princess Ariana. All of them tend to follow modern trends and match labels to each other while appearing in public.
Third in line to the Danish throne (after her father and her older brother) Princess Isabella of Denmark was the first girl to be born into the Danish royal family since her great aunt Queen Anne-Marie of Greece in 1946. She isn't the only fashionable child in the family, as her older brother Prince Christian is also among the best dressed royal children. Isabella already has a jewelry collection fit for a princess. According to Danish royal tradition, all of the ladies in the family receive the glittering gift on their fifth birthday. The custom dates back to the days of Isabella's great-grandmother Queen Ingrid - who had the same surprise waiting for her on her fifth birthday in 1915.

Prince Carl Philip and first child, Prince Alexander of Sweden, born in 2016, is often mentioned in a traditional white outfit which he wore before, during the celebration of Carl Philip's 37th birthday on May 13, 2016. Alexander was dressed in the cream christening gown that dozens of Swedish royal babies have worn before him, including his dad Prince Carl Philip.
The royal christening gown worn by many princes and princesses in England was originally commissioned in 1841 by Queen Victoria for her first child. The gown of Spitafield silk satin and Honiton lace was worn by centuries of royal babies including Prince Charles and Prince William. Gowns, then, were required by the church to be white, a symbol of purity and the cleansing of sin. Over time, this mandate relaxed and christening gowns like wedding gowns now reflect the tastes of the family. Princess Charlotte became the seventh royal baby to wear the historic Honiton lace christening robe. The gown was the same her older brother Prince George wore before.
Impact of Royal Trends on the Modern Society
The Princess Charlotte Effect, The Kate Middleton Effect and The Prince George Effect describe how royal fashion trends influence modern society. The U.K. monarchy is now estimated to be worth just under £57 billion ($87 billion) and could deliver an overall net contribution of £1.155 billion to the U.K. economy (2015).
Prince George was less than 48 hours old when the The Prince George Effect first kicked, selling out blankets in which he was wrapped as he was carried from the Lindo Wing. A US label run by an Australian, more than 7000 Jungle Jam swaddling wraps were sold in the first nine days of George's life, while traffic to the brand's website shot up by 1,960 per cent. It has continued, with the latest to benefit from the George effect being Petit Bateau, the French brand behind the striped sailcloth dungarees worn by the third in line to the throne for the birthday portrait. Prince George has the sort of selling power that far outstrips his years with even his mother, the Duchess of Cambridge, left trailing in his wake. Dubbed ′the world's most influential toddler′ by Forbes magazine, anything the infant royal wears, sells out instantly as mothers rush to add a shot of royal style to their children's wardrobes.
The Princess Charlotte Effect - Experts at Brand Finance have predicted that she will be worth more than £3 billion to the UK economy across her lifetime. Within minutes of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge appearing on the steps of the Lindo Wing with their 10-hour-old daughter, parents were eager to purchase a similar style immediately.
Kate Middleton effect - When the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge got married on April 29, 2011, not only did half of the country tune in to watch some form of the wedding's coverage, but several millions around the world did this as well. In fact, the event was live-streamed 72 million times on YouTube in 188 countries, demonstrating how influential the young royals have been for both the public and the monarchy's image. Effectiveness of the Kate's effect is proved by the fact, that since the minute the Duchess wears a high-street brand, the stock sells out in minutes.
While the Danish princess doesn't have quite the impact on retail as the Duchess of Cambridge, failing to move clothes at sell-out rates, it seems her style is beginning to make an impact on British dress sense. Sixty-two per cent of the British admitted that they would consider buying an item that Princess Mary had been photographed wearing. Mary's stellar style has several fashion blogs dedicated to tracking her every sartorial move, providing information on what she wears and where to get it.
Similar Topics in
* Fashion
* Clothing
* Design
* Royal Designers for Industry
* Mette-Marit, Crown Princess of Norway
* Kate Middleton effect
* Privilège du blanc

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