Royal Style Through the Ages

Meghan Markle's Signature Style

Meghan Markle, the actress famed for her role in "Suits", sparked immense media interest upon her engagement to Prince Harry. The world was captivated not only by the news but also by her impending integration into the royal family. A central topic of debate was her style. Would she conform to the established royal protocol, or would she redefine it?

As a quintessential Los Angeles native, Meghan's style was characterized by its informal, casual nature, favoring lighter fabrics that allow for freedom and movement. She has a clear preference for clean lines and silhouettes. Her fashion choices often hinted at a slightly rebellious spirit that resists limitations. Even during her first public appearances with Prince Harry, she opted for a relaxed look, pairing knee-torn jeans with an oversized white shirt.

However, at the announcement of their engagement, we saw a new side to her—elegantly dressed in a white coat. This shift suggested a move towards compliance with the royal style protocol.

Adapting to new roles—and wardrobes—is familiar territory for Markle. For her character Rachel Zane in 'Suits', she embraced a strikingly elegant persona, a transformation she noted was driven by fan expectations.

A Foray into Fashion Design

A lesser-known fact is that in 2016, Prince Harry's future wife created a small capsule collection with Canadian retailer Reitmans. The collection featured four distinct dresses, each inspired by a different facet of Meghan's personal aesthetic. This experience as a designer could prove invaluable in crafting her unique style within the context of her new life.

A Legacy of Royal Fashion

Over the past century, three women in particular have left an indelible mark with their fabulous royal style.

Princess Diana

Undoubtedly the most memorable is Princess Diana, whose style left a profound impact on fashion, influencing how women dressed worldwide.

Her look was defined by a femininity and romanticism expressed through elements like ruffles, draperies, lace, pastel colors, and soft, delicate fabrics that hinted at a deep sensitivity. Her impeccable taste was evident in every outfit she chose. During the years Diana joined the royal family (the late '80s and early '90s), prominent shoulder pads were in vogue. While this trend could overwhelm a tall woman like her, Diana's innate sense of beauty allowed her to turn it to her advantage.

A former ballet enthusiast, Diana's athletic figure allowed her to wear a variety of cuts, lengths, and colors, always in line with event protocol. Perhaps this closeness to the delicate world of ballet helped shape the sophisticated style we remember today.

One of her notable passions was for custom-made shoes, often created by shoemaker Jimmy Choo. The Princess requested lower heels so as not to appear taller than her husband. Each pair was meticulously color-coordinated with her outfit.

Over time, Diana felt a desire to break away from the conservative style of the monarchy, epitomized by Queen Elizabeth II.

Queen Elizabeth II

Queen Elizabeth II is a model of sartorial consistency and character. Ascending to the throne at the young age of 26, Elizabeth needed to cultivate a solid, serious image, and her wardrobe became an integral part of that, remaining almost unchanged for nearly 70 years.

The Queen's trademark elements are unmistakable: her pearl necklaces, worn with nearly every ensemble, and her hats, always perfectly matched in color and design to her outfit. Her hairstyle has also remained consistent. For clothing, Elizabeth typically favors a knee-length topcoat over a dress or, on occasion, a simple, conservative dress on its own.

The majority of the Queen's outfits are brightly colored—yellow, cyclamen, vibrant green, and royal blue. This choice is a practical one: when the Queen is in a crowd, these bold hues ensure she is always visible.

Kate Middleton

Kate Middleton's style represents a more modernized approach. Even before joining the royal family, she dressed with a simple, meticulous elegance. After marrying Prince William, she became a fashion icon, giving rise to the "Kate Middleton Effect"—where almost anything she wears sells out instantly.

Kate's polished aesthetic may be influenced by her education in Art History. Much of her wardrobe is tailored to flatter her figure. She often chooses cloche or A-line skirts and dresses to balance her narrow hips and broader shoulders, adding visual interest with ruffles or prints on the lower half of her body. This creates a harmonious silhouette.

Signature elements of her wardrobe include neutral/nude shoes, which she pairs with numerous outfits, and the wrap dress, which accentuates her waist with feminine flair. When wearing trousers or jeans, Kate almost always prefers skinny cuts that showcase her slender legs.

Overall, her royal style is meticulous, tidy, and thoughtfully selected for every occasion, never straying from good taste with overly bold combinations or colors.

The Designers Behind the Wardrobes

The royal court is generally traditional regarding fashion. Queen Elizabeth II’s wardrobe has been exclusively handled by British designers. Since 2002, her personal stylist and hatter has been Angela Kelly.

Princess Diana also favored British designers in her early years, frequently wearing pieces from David Emanuel, Burberry, and Bruce Oldfield. Designer Catherine Walker created over 1,000 of her looks. Over time, she also embraced Italian and French designers like Dior and Versace.

Kate Middleton showcases artistic flair by skillfully mixing high-end designer pieces with more accessible brands. While she frequently chooses British designers like Jenny Packham, Burberry, Preen, and L.K. Bennett, she is also seen in designs by Tory Burch, Oscar de la Renta, and even Zara.

Speculation on the Royal Wedding Dress

It was certain that Meghan Markle's wedding dress would be a significant investment. For comparison, Princess Diana's gown by David Emanuel cost an estimated $150,000, while Kate Middleton's Alexander McQueen creation was valued at $400,000. It was presumed Meghan's dress would surpass these figures.

However, given her demonstrated sense of style, many expected Meghan to choose something different, yet simultaneously elegant and simple. It seemed unlikely she would follow Kate's example with full lace sleeves, nor was she expected to opt for a voluminous skirt like Princess Diana's. Most anticipated that Meghan would leave her own distinctive mark on royal style, beginning with a dress that revealed her unique individuality.