When we think of princesses we often think of an iconic Disney princess, sashaying around in her tulle-layered ballgown. Realistically though, princesses around the world have abandoned such impractical gowns for slightly less over-the-top options – but that doesn’t mean they are not just as enviably well-dressed, as these eight real-life members of royalty prove.
8. Princess Charlene of Monaco
Princess Charlene actually used to be an Olympic swimmer before her marriage to Albert II, Prince of Monaco, and her wardrobe choices certainly have come a long way since her days in the pool. Her approach to fashion is all about simplicity and comfort and with two small children to run after, Gabriella and Jacques that approach makes total sense.
7. Princess Madeleine of Sweden
The younger daughter of the King and Queen of Sweden, Princess Madeleine lives in London with her husband, Christopher O’Neill, and their two children Leonore and Nicolas. However she often carries out duties for her parents and does so an array of feminine dresses and ensembles.
6. Lady Amelia Windsor
Although not technically a princess, Lady Amelia Windsor earns a spot on our list as her lifestyle and wardrobe choices certainly state otherwise. Recently crowned “the most beautiful member of the royal family” by British high-society magazine, Tatler, Lady Amelia is 36th-in-line for the throne and is the granddaughter of the Queen’s cousin, the Duke of Kent. She’s a part-time model, signed with Storm Models (the agency which represents icons Kate Moss and Cara Delevingne), which she does in-between studying French and Italian student at the prestigious University of Edinburgh.
5. Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana of Thailand
Princess Sirivannavari is the only daughter of the King of Thailand and she has a wardrobe which says so… Chanel, Balmain, and Hermès – all the big names. She’s a regular in the front row at fashion shows and when she’s not looking at other people’s collections she’s showing her own. That’s right, this stylish royal is also a fashion designer on the side and has even shown at Paris Fashion Week.
4. Princess Grace Kelly of Monaco
She was a Hollywood’s sweetheart but Grace Kelly was destined for bigger things. While in Monaco promoting her new film, Grace met Prince Rainier III and the two married later that year. She was the Princess of Monaco for 26 years, before sadly dying in a car crash in 1982. However during her reign she was the epitome of class, sophistication and elegance. Living in the French Riviera meant Capri pants, cotton shirts and tortoiseshell sunglasses were part of Grace’s regular get-up, with nipped-in waists and pearls reserved for her fancier affairs.
3. Duchess Catherine
She is often compared to her late mother-in-law, Princess Diana, but Kate is a style icon in her own right – and the fact ensembles she wears sell out in minutes is proof! Whether she’s attending official royal business, a red carpet event or just being a mum to George and Charlotte, Kate always looks impeccable. Her signature fashion move? Wearing her favourite pieces again and again. She may be the future queen but she’s not too good for a fashion repeat.
2. Princess Diana
She was ahead of her time for so many reasons, but one of those was certainly for her bold fashion choices. As the most photographed woman in the world Princess Diana was a constant source of style inspiration. She was close friends with many big-name designers including Catherine Walker and the late Gianni Versace, who regularly created bespoke dresses for her. Over the years her style evolved, from the big shoulder-padded gowns in the ’80s which earnt her the tabloid nickname “Dynasty Di”, to the little sheath dresses in the ’90s which saw her dust of her shy Di image.
1. Crown Princess Mary of Denmark
The girl from Tassie certainly has come a long way since she met her prince, Frederik, in a Sydney pub… and so has her wardrobe. Since marrying into Denmark’s royal family in 2000, Mary’s elegant and sophisticated outfits have catapulted her into the spotlight and firmly established her as a style icon – she was even named the Most Stylish Royal by UK magazine Hello. [Princess Mary never gets it wrong which is why she earnt the number-one spot on our list. Congrats!
