The great Yves Saint Laurent once said, “Fashions fade, style is eternal”.
Although he wasn’t speaking about the sartorial philosophies of history’s most chic royals at the time (particularly considering of them were yet to be born), it’s a statement that seems quite fitting when it comes to the wardrobes of many royal women throughout the years.
Often synonymous with elegance, and frequently the source of some of fashion’s biggest trends, there is no denying that the world has long had a fixation with royal women’s style.
And while many are widely known (hello, Kate Middleton) and some cemented their status long before they donned their first tiara (Grace Kelly, anyone?), there are many sophisticated nobles who’ve made their mark in the fashion world.
Below, 17 of the most stylish royals in modern history.
Queen Rania of Jordan
Famed for her advocacy work and style in equal measure, Queen Rania’s elegant trousseau features a mix of fashion stalwarts, such as Dior and Fendi, as well as a number of respected Middle Eastern designers, including Elie Saab, Azzi & Osta and Georges Chakras.
Princess Maria-Olympia of Greece and Denmark
A firm fixture in the fashion world, 24-year-old Princess Maria-Olympia of Greece has both walked the runways and tried her hand at design, interning in Dior’s couture department at the age of 17.
Marie-Chantal, Crown Princess of Greece, Princess of Denmark
Style obviously runs in the genes! Princess Maria-Olympia’s mother, Marie-Chantal, the Crown Princess of Greece and Princess of Denmark has her own children’s wear brand and also works for LVMH.
Charlotte Casiraghi
An accomplished equestrian and journalist, Monaco’s Charlotte Casiraghi is also mainstay in the fashion world, having modelled for both Gucci and Saint Laurent, among others.
Queen Letizia of Spain
Whether dressed in high end or high street, Queen Letizia of Spain has a talent for putting bold looks together, frequently mixing staple pieces with standout prints and bright hues.
Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana of Thailand
Not only is she a regular in fashion week front rows, Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana is also a designer whose work has previously been shown at Paris Fashion Week.
Princess Deena Aljuhani Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia
Like many of her royal contemporaries, Princess Deena has also worked in fashion, having previously helmed a major fashion magazine and run an exclusive, members-only boutique in Riyadh called D’NA.
Her Royal Highess Sheikha Mozah bint Nasser Al Missned of Qatar
With countless online pages across Instagram and Pinterest dedicated to her style, Her Royal Highness Sheikha Mozah bint Nasser Al Missned is always impeccably dressed, typically favouring couture from the likes of Christian Dior, Valentino and Giambattista Valli.
Grace Kelly, Princess of Monaco
Known for her style well before marrying into the Monegasque royal family, Grace Kelly remains a fashion icon to this day. After all, how many people can say Hermès named a bag after them?
Princess Margaret
Widely considered the British royal family’s biggest rebel, Princess Margaret’s look was just as iconic as she was, with her style earning the nickname “The Margaret Look” in the 1950s.
Lady Amelia Windsor
Forget the royal fashion rules Meghan and Kate have to follow. Lady Amelia Windsor, the 25-year-old granddaughter of Queen Elizabeth’s first cousin (currently 36th in line for the throne), is a front row regular and isn’t afraid to play with strong prints, statement footwear — she’s even worn sneakers on the red carpet — and commanding hues.
Princess Charlene of Monaco
A former Olympic swimmer before marrying into Monaco’s royal family, Princess Charlene’s style file is nothing to be sneezed at. When not in sleek, statement gowns for state dinners, the princess favours a more muted palette, as seen in the above look worn to the spring ’18 Giorgio Armani show in Milan.
Pauline Ducruet
Besides being a member of Monaco’s royal family and the eldest daughter of Princess Stéphanie of Monaco, Pauline Ducruet is also a former professional diver and fashion designer. She launched her label Altered Design in 2017, which has since shown multiple times at Paris Fashion Week.
Clotilde Courau of Savoy, Princess of Venice
One of the more experimental royals when it comes to style, French actress, street style star and Venetian royal Clotilde Courau is a regular at Paris Fashion Week, typically dressed in Valentino, Dior and Elie Saab.
Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex
Undoubtedly one of the most photographed women in recent years, there’s a reason why ‘The Meghan Effect’ is still going strong today. Named 2019’s ‘Most Influential Fashion Icon‘, Meghan Markle’s ‘relaxed Royal’ aesthetic — from her messy buns to her shirt-dresses and championing of sustainable brands — is one that resonates with modern women the world of over.
Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge
Famed for her timeless wardrobe, classic cuts and a knack for recycling outfits (including the above Catherine Walker coat), Kate Middleton’s sense of style is one that will never date. With nary a discernible difference between her aesthetic in 2011 and 2020 (aside from a change in blow-dry), she’s definitely cemented her position as one of the most stylish royals in history.
Diana, Princess of Wales
No list of stylish royals would ever be complete without the inimitable Princess Diana. From her athleisure looks that were ahead of their time, to her pioneering the ‘revenge dress’ (who could forget that iconic LBD?), her style left an indelible mark on the world of fashion and continues to inspire ‘It’-girls today.
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