Ranked: Unforgettable Iconic Royal Gowns
Published on October 15, 2019. Updated October 21, 2019The royal family is known for their impeccable style, so it’s no surprise that their wardrobes are filled with a plethora of glamorous gowns. From Meghan Markle to Queen Elizabeth, follow along as we rank 50 iconic royal gowns:
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50. Princess Diana
Princess Diana dazzled back in June 1996 when she stepped out wearing this sleek violet purple dress. She perfectly accessorized with coordinating purple heels, a purple clutch, and even purple jewelry! This gown is elegant and simple, yet still totally eye-catching.
Mirrorpix/Courtesy Everett Collection49. Queen Elizabeth
Queen Elizabeth looked gorgeous in this tulle Cinderella gown that she wore for an official portrait at Buckingham Palace in 1956. This is the exact look that comes to mind when we imagine a fairytale princess, especially with all the sparkle on the gown and the dramatic crown.
Courtesy Everett Collection48. Kate Middleton
Kate Middleton had all eyes on her when she attended the world premiere of Spectre held at the Royal Albert Hall in London. We love the delicate sheer sleeves on this look and how beautifully the shade of bluish-gray flatters her brunette tresses.
Source: Press Association47. Princess Diana
Princess Diana stunned in this chic red dress that she wore to the film premiere of Hot Shots in 1991. The flattering pleating along the waist and beautiful golden weave laced throughout made this look a serious show-stopper.
Mirrorpix/Courtesy Everett Collection46. Meghan Markle
No one can forget this gorgeous black dress that Meghan Markle wore during her surprise appearance at the British Fashion Awards. The sultry one-shoulder-number and black nail polish may not have got the final stamp of approval from the Queen though!
(Photo by Jeff Spicer/BFC/Getty Images)45. Kate Middleton
One of our favorite Kate Middleton looks of all time is this gorgeous powder blue gown she wore while visiting Paris in 2017. The floating sheer sleeves and intricate gemstone beading are truly a work of art.
EPA/ERIC FEFERBERG / POOL MAXPPP OUT44. Princess Diana
One of Princess Diana’s most memorable gala moments was when she danced with John Travolta in 1985 at the White House. We are huge fans of this sleek black dress she wore which featured a glamorous off-the-shoulder neckline. The look paired perfectly with her go-to chunky pearl choker.
(Photo by Anwar Hussein/Getty Images)43. Queen Elizabeth/Princess Margaret
Queen Elizabeth and Princess Margaret dazzled when they stepped out together at a reception held by the Chairman of the London County Council. Both their gowns included full tulle skirts and intricate beading, which complemented each other well. They both accessorized with silky white gloves, which truly added that classic royal style factor to their looks.
Source: PA Archive/Press Association Images42. Kate Middleton
Kate Middleton looked like a walking valentine when she opted for this sweet pink dress for the 100 Women in Finance Gala Dinner. We love the two-tone detailing of this look and the stunning contrasting burgundy velvet.
Source: Press Association41. Princess Diana
One of Princess Diana’s most glamorous looks of all time is this chiffon powder blue dress that she wore to the Cannes Film Festival in 1987. We love the fluttery scarf detail on this dress which feels very old Hollywood-inspired.
(Photo by Anwar Hussein/Getty Images)40. Kate Middleton
Kate Middleton looked absolutely angelic when she stepped out at the 2019 BAFTA Awards wearing this whimsical one-shoulder dress. We love the dramatic floral embellishment on the shoulder of this look, which adds eye-catching detail to an otherwise quite simple white gown.
EPA/NEIL HALL39. Princess Margaret
The wedding of Princess Margaret and Anthony Armstrong-Jones was the first-ever televised ceremony with over 300 million viewers tuning in. Her dress was made of white silk organza without a stitch insight and featured a tulle veil. The look was quite typical for ’60s fashion with clean lines, a sleek shape, and a timeless feel.
Source: Press Association38. Princess Diana
Princess Diana stunned in this white and pink gown that she wore when arriving at the Colosseum in Rome. We love the flattering column-style shape of this dress and the trend-forward color blocking!
Mirrorpix/Courtesy Everett Collection37. Kate Middleton
One of Kate Middleton’s most glamorous gowns ever is this blush sequined dress she has worn for multiple formal occasions throughout the years. We love the contrast of the icy silver glitter with the warm mauve tones. The fluttery sleeves and sleek shape make this dress a true show-stopper!
(AP Photo / Dominic Lipinski/PA)36. Princess Margaret
We love the old glamour feel of this sparkling look worn by Princess Margaret while attending an event at the Apollo Theatre. The look featured a dramatic full skirt and strapless neckline which she accessorized with a fur wrap and glittering necklace.
Source: Press Association35. Princess Diana
Princess Diana stole the show when she stepped out wearing this gorgeous lilac dress with frills, sheer detailing and satin embellishment. We love how flattering this color looks against her fair complexion. All the glittering details of this dress make it look like something straight out of a Disney princess film!
(Photo by David Levenson/Getty Images)34. Kate Middleton
Another fairytale dress moment occurred when Kate Middleton stepped out wearing this pale blue gown covered head-to-toe in chunky glitter and beading. Many compared her look to Queen Elsa’s iconic dress in Disney’s Frozen and we can totally see the resemblance!
Source: Press Association33. Queen Letizia & Queen Elizabeth
Queen Letizia of Spain and Queen Elizabeth both dazzled when they stepped out for a State Banquet at Buckingham Palace. This shade of cherry red works beautifully to complement Queen Letizia’s olive skin tone and brunette tresses. We also love this gorgeous ivory gown with sapphire detailing throughout that the Queen wore for the occasion.
Source: Press Association32. Princess Diana
Princess Diana made heads turn when she stepped out wearing this rich royal blue gown while attending the Council of Fashion Designers of America Gala Ball in New York. She looked quite fashion-forward and trendy with this thick pearl choker and the wet-looking finger waves in her hair.
(Photo by Antony Jones/UK Press via Getty Images)31. Kate Middleton
No one does red carpet fashion better than the Duchess of Cambridge! While it’s rare for the Duchess to attend celebrity events, the one we can usually expect her at is the annual BAFTAs. She’s always the belle of the ball when she steps out and our personal favorite BAFTA look of hers is this sweeping lavender dress that looked straight from a Disney film.
Source: Press Association30. Queen Elizabeth
Queen Elizabeth dazzled when she stepped out in 1955 with Prime Minister Sir Anthony Eden at the Royal Opera House. She opted for a full Cinderella-inspired dress with intricate lace, which she topped with a fur wrap and glamorous tiara.
Source: Press Association29. Princess Diana
Princess Diana looked striking in this tulle magenta pink gown that she wore during the Royal tour of Italy in Milan. We love the bow detailing on the shoulders of this dress which works fabulously to highlight her dainty pearl necklace and glitzy tiara.
(Photo by David Levenson/Getty Images)28. Kate Middleton
One of Kate Middleton’s most magical fashion moments was when she stepped out in late 2016 for a prestigious event at Buckingham Palace. Her look consisted of a swoon-worthy crimson dress featuring lace detailing, a slight shimmer and a dainty belt. It’s quite rare for Middleton to wear a tiara, but for the occasion, she opted for the sparkling Lover’s Knot tiara that was one of Princess Diana’s favorites.
Source: DOMINIC LIPINSKI/PA WIRE27. Queen Elizabeth
Queen Elizabeth’s regal bridal gown shaped the course of wedding dresses for generations. The Norman Hartnell 1947 design coined the bridal trend of wedding dresses with heavy embroidery. The intricate dress design was actually inspired by a Renaissance painting by Botticelli which incorporated motifs of growth and rebirth following World War II.
Source: Press Association26. Princess Diana
Princess Diana looked so chic and trend-forward when she stepped out wearing this one-shoulder blue number while attending a banquet at Guildhall in November 1982. This sapphire blue color looks fabulous against her dirty blonde locks and the ruffle detailing of the neckline added something totally unique.
Photo by Anwar Hussein/Getty Images25. Kate Middleton
Kate Middleton stepped out in December 2018 for an evening reception at Buckingham Palace looking every bit a snow princess! Her glittering look featured sheer cap sleeves, sparkling beading and she even topped the look with the Lover’s Knot crown. The dazzling dress was exactly how we imagine a princess to dress, which made this undeniably one of Kate’s most iconic looks of all time.
Source: Press Association24. Meghan Markle
Meghan Markle dazzled when she stepped out in October wearing this Oscar De La Renta gown that featured an intricate bird design. The voluminous fashion moment was definitely one of the boldest that Meghan has opted for during her time as a duchess, but the striking dress made her look every bit a princess!
Source: Press Association23. Princess Diana
Princess Diana had more than a handful of memorable fashion moments, but one of the most iconic has to be the black off-the-shoulder dress she wore to an event the day news leaked of Charles’ infidelity. Apparently, she was saving the dress for the right occasion, and she definitely made a statement and showed her strength when she faced the public that fateful evening.
Press Association22. Kate Middleton
Kate Middleton has never let pregnancy stop her from having a princess fashion moment, and that’s exactly why we love her! Back in February 2018, the Duchess of Cambridge stepped out in Norway during a royal tour wearing a striking blush pink gown that featured silver sparkling embellishment on the shoulders. To make the showstopping fashion moment even more glamorous, the look was topped with a sheer cape.
Lise Aaserud / NTB scanpi21. Meghan Markle
The Duchess of Sussex stole the show when she stepped out wearing this head-to-toe sequin gown while pregnant with baby Archie! The dress was modest with the high neckline and long sleeves, but still super chic with the glitter texture and subtle slit.
Source: Press Association20. Princess Diana
Princess Diana looked absolutely angelic in this baby pink dress she wore during the early stages of her pregnancy with Prince Harry. From the sleek drop-waist shape to the subtle glittering texture, this look definitely stole the show on the red carpet.
(Photo by Anwar Hussein/Getty Images)19. Kate Middleton
The wedding day of Kate Middleton and Prince William was magical, to say the least. While Kate’s wedding gown was obviously an iconic royal fashion moment, we have to admit that her reception gown was too! The luxurious satin gown fit her like a glove and featured a chunky glittering belt which really made her look the part of a princess.
Photo by Rex Features18. Meghan Markle
During her royal reign, we’ve rarely seen Meghan Markle step out wearing formal gala looks! Meghan tends to opt for a more relatable, achievable wardrobe filled with brands like Club Monaco, Banana Republic, and Aritzia. When Meghan does, however, opt for something a little more glam, it’s definitely an iconic fashion moment to note. One of the most memorable princess moments of hers was when she attended a gala during the Australian royal tour wearing this dramatic blue cape number.
Source: Press Association17. Princess Diana
Princess Diana looked absolutely gorgeous in this light pink and indigo printed dress that she wore in Melbourne on her visit to Australia during the Bicentenary Celebrations. The strapless gown featured flattering ruching along the hip and the rich, contrasting colors worked beautifully to complement her sunkissed skin.
Mirrorpix/Courtesy Everett Collection16. Kate Middleton
Kate Middleton stepped out wearing a striking teal Jenny Packham gown in November 2018 that definitely had princess vibes written all of it. The sweeping floor-length gown featured layers of chiffon and satin but also featured delicate lace cap sleeves and a sparkling belt. We imagine that Kate had all eyes on her this evening in a stunning dress like this!
Source: Press Association15. Meghan Markle
One of Meghan’s most iconic fashion moments as a duchess is the second dress she wore to her wedding reception. Many actually favored this classic halter-style dress over her actual wedding gown. The slip-style dress fit her like a glove, and while it didn’t have typical princess glitz or sparkle, we definitely think she looked every bit a princess!
Press Association14. Princess Diana
Princess Diana stepped out in October 1989 at the British Fashion Awards wearing a sleek white beaded dress which she paired with a sharp, bolero style jacket. This glitzy, column-style dress will forever go down as one of Princess Diana’s most memorable and fashionable looks of all time.
Mirrorpix/Courtesy Everett Collection13. Kate Middleton
Kate Middleton dazzled her way down the red carpet at the Tusk Foundation gala back in 2013 when she stepped out for the first time post-baby. The sparkling dress is definitely a Kate Middleton fashion moment we could never forget because she rarely opts for head-to-toe sequins. When she does, however, it’s definitely a swoon-worthy style moment for the books.
Photo by REX12. Meghan Markle
When it comes to royal dressing, Meghan Markle has seemed to favor a darker color palette filled with black, navy and emerald. This particular black look she wore to a Westminster Abbey service, but despite the dark color, she turned heads from miles away. The delicate Dior gown featured her signature bateau neckline and she topped the look with an intricate fascinator that really amped the princess and glamour factor.
Doug Peters/EMPICS11. Princess Diana
In March 1985 Diana was photographed attending the Bruce Oldfield fashion show in aid of Dr. Barnardos. For the event, Diana donned a head-turning metallic silver gown that will always be remembered as one of her most iconic looks. It felt true to the ’80s with the structured shoulders but also transcended well as a classic throughout the generations with the elegant pleats and glamorous metallic texture.
Mirrorpix/Courtesy Everett Collection10. Kate Middleton
Kate Middleton stole the show at the 2017 BAFTAs where she stepped out wearing this sleek black dress with white embellishments by Alexander McQueen. It’s rare to see Kate Middleton showing any sort of skin, but it was refreshing to see her in a sultry and trend-forward off-the-shoulder neckline for the evening event.
Doug Peters/ EMPICS Entertainment9. Meghan Markle
Of all Meghan Markle’s iconic outfits, we, of course, have to acknowledge the day her new role as the Duchess of Sussex became official! Meghan Markle’s wedding to Prince Harry was a truly spectacular style moment with her 16-foot veil, royal tiara, and sophisticated Givenchy dress.
Source: Press Association8. Princess Diana
In December 1992, Princess Diana was spotted looking absolutely gorgeous at a film premiere for Just Like a Woman at the Odeon Cinema in Leicester Square. The crimson off-the-shoulder dress was elegant, glamorous and totally eye-catching.
Mirrorpix/Courtesy Everett Collection7. Kate Middleton
Kate Middleton was a vision in white when she stepped out to attend the Queen’s State Banquet with Prince William at Buckingham Palace in June 2019. For the occasion, she wore a floor-sweeping Alexander McQueen dress that was unlike anything we’ve ever seen her wear! The dress featured soft cap sleeves and full ruffles trailing from top to bottom. Kate topped the formal look with her favorite tiara, the Lover’s Knot tiara, which was also a favorite of Princess Diana.
(Photo by Victoria Jones- WPA Pool/Getty Images)6. Princess Eugenie
Princess Eugenie made a statement on her wedding day by opting for a dress with a dramatic low cut back and skipping on a veil. She did this to allow a large surgery scar trailing down her back to be on full display. Her goal was to set a new standard when it comes to beauty and perfection, even at a royal wedding! “I think you can change the way beauty is, and you can show people your scars and I think it’s really special to stand up for that,” she told ITV ahead of the wedding.
Press Association5. Princess Diana
Princess Diana made heads turn back in November 1985 when she stepped out wearing this sleek one-shoulder number. We absolutely love that despite being a princess, Diana was never afraid to show a little skin and glitz in the classiest way possible.
Photo by Nils Jorgensen / Rex Features4. Kate Middleton
For royal engagements that take place during the day, it’s quite rare to see the Duchesses opt for something floor-length. That’s why when Buckingham Palace announces that the Duchesses will attend an evening gala or event, it’s all the more exciting to anticipate the glamorous gown they will wear. A personal favorite of ours is this sweeping gown Kate Middleton wore in December 2014 and has repeated on multiple occasions. The dramatic neckline and sheer layering really remind us of something straight out of a childhood fairytale!
Source: Press Association3. Queen Elizabeth
Queen Elizabeth looked regal yet glitzy when she stepped out for an evening reception at Buckingham Palace with Prince Charles in December 2018. The gorgeous champagne and ivory lace was the perfect option for an evening event and worked fabulously to complement her diamond necklace and crown.
Source: Press Association2. Princess Diana
Princess Diana looked lovely in lavender when she stepped out to attend a reception at the British Consulate in Dubai on March 1, 1989. The purple Zandra Rhodes cocktail dress featured intricate embroidery and detail which definitely made it one of Diana’s best looks of all time.
(Photo by Anwar Hussein/Getty Images)1. Kate Middleton
Similar to Markle, Kate Middleton’s most iconic fashion moment had to be her wedding day look! The event gathered millions of viewers from around the world to watch Kate become a duchess and wear her first tiara as she walked down the aisle to marry Prince William. Her ethereal lace wedding gown was designed by Alexander McQueen and featured floating lace sleeves, a subtle V-neckline, and sweetheart-shaped bodice.
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Photo by Tim Rooke / Rex Features