20 of the Most Unforgettable Royal Gowns of All Time

OK, this has to be the absolute best part of being a working royal woman — apart from bringing awareness to important causes and spending time with every day people and all that jazz, of course: getting to dress up for movie premieres, state banquets, galas, concerts, and any other event that requires, first and foremost, a beautiful dress.

And over the decades, ladies of the British royal family — from Queen Elizabeth herself to Princess Diana to Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle — have brought out some stunning evening gowns. Some glitter so much that they could probably be seen from the International Space Station, and others have a quiet elegance that confirms why we watch royal style in the first place: to ooh and aah over surprising choices and for the simple joy of seeing a beautiful dress displayed against backdrops as diverse as a red carpet and a centuries-old palace.

Can y’all imagine what it must be like to spend a morning chilling with a stylist, poring over pictures of the latest fashion collections from top designers, before they’re even shown on a runway show? Or better yet, getting fitted for a bespoke ball gown by Sarah Burton herself, the creative genius behind Alexander McQueen?

We can, and in our imaginations, it’s a freaking amazing feeling, and hey, it’s not too shabby in real life, either — when we save up enough to hit a favorite store, look at ourselves rocking an amazing dress on a pedestal surrounded by mirrors, but we digress.

But it’s not just the headline-grabbing royals, like Kate and Meghan and the Queen, who can turn up in a gorgeous formal dress. People have been sleeping on Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice, who also have great high-fashion style, and Sophie, Countess of Wessex, as well as vintage photos of former fashionista Princess Anne. 

They have proven time and again that if someone enjoys looking at beautiful evening gowns, they need to check them out as well. That’s why we’ve included them and other royal ladies in our list of 20 beautiful gowns worn by royal women over the years. 

Peep these, and get some style ideas as well

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Scarlet Beauty

Meghan Markle wore some seriously amazing outfits for her last public outings as a working royal, and among them was this scarlet beauty by Safiyaa, with caped shoulders and a slim train running down the middle of her back. She and Prince Harry matched perfectly, as they did for the other two final events during their farewell tour — a show of unity as they exited royal life and stepped into a new life. 

Quite a statement.

Check out our Meghan Markle page for all the latest news about Meghan, Prince Harry, and their growing family.

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Grecian Gown

Not long after their 2011 wedding, Kate and Will headed out to Canada for an official trip and then the US. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge hit the red carpet for a British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) event in Los Angeles, and Kate stunned with a pale lilac Grecian gown by Alexander McQueen. It was flowy, it was exquisite, and it was really the first outfit that signaled that Kate would soon become a fashion icon.

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Violet Princess

The late Princess Diana chose this simple but oh-so-elegant violet column dress by Versace to attend a gala in Chicago. Diana was not afraid of wearing bright or unusual colors and letting it carry the entire dress. Admittedly, it didn’t always turn out well, especially if there color was fighting for attention with fussy ruching or bows, but this one works. There’s just one simple and lovely detail: the subtle dip in the neckline.

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Birthday Portrait

All of Princess Margaret’s birthday portraits are to die for — beautiful dresses, beautiful jewelry, and of course, the Queen’s little sister was a stunner. For her 19th birthday, she chose a tulle dress  that is nearly off the shoulders, featuring blue embroidered butterflies and a full skirt. It was one of the gowns that The Crown recreated, and it turned out to be the show’s most expensive.

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High Slit

Over the years, Kate has worn no shortage of dresses with beads and sequins, tulle and silk, and priceless historic jewels to adorn them. They’re gorgeous but can also age her a bit. We love this look, which she wore to a solo film premiere outing, and think that it’s one of her best. This portrait dress features a crochet top in a retro pattern and a long pleated skirt with a very high slit. The creamy white complements her strategic tan nicely.

Blush-Colored Romance

On her wedding day, Princess Eugenie was beaming from the time she climbed the steps to St. George’s Chapel in a gorgeous wedding dress and emerald tiara, all the way to her reception, when she wore this beautiful blush-colored Zac Posen dress. It was romantic and dramatic, and  almost as grand as a wedding dress, really, with a cape that stretched into a train.

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Adventurous Fashion

She may look quite severe nowadays — with her helmet-like updo and high necklines — but once upon a time, Princess Anne, the Queen’s only daughter, was a young thing with a taste for the adventurous fashion of the 1960s and 1970s. Case in point: this ruffly poppy-print evening gown, which is so feminine and fresh, and such a refreshing contrast to sequins and satin.