In terms of the most talked about members of royalty, it’s usually the British royal family who take centre stage. But, when it comes to style, there are a few other royals that deserve a space in the limelight too. Not only do these royal females look flawless when they step out of the palace, but they’ve given the world some major style envy too.
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, England
With 22,000 global searches of “Meghan Markle style” each month, it’s clear to see that the latest addition to the British royal family has gained herself some fashion followers who are eager to copy her look.
One of the biggest statement pieces from Meghan must be her silk gown following the luncheon after the wedding at Windsor Castle. High-street designers frantically began to replicate the dress to meet the demand for the style that was expected to follow — and they made the right decision. Research revealed searches for ‘halter neck dresses’ were up 40% following the royal wedding and the term ‘halter neck tops’ increased 21% week on week as people tried to replicate her look on the special day.
The Duchess of Sussex’s choice of accessories has meant that some fashion brands have experienced a surge in customers too. After the official engagement announcement in 2017, Meghan attended an event in Nottingham with a Strathberry tote bag in hand. Global search engine data reveals a 398% increase in searches for ‘Strathberry’ from November to December 2017.
Queen Letizia, Spain
Similar to the Duchess of Cambridge, Queen Letizia’s wardrobe is a combination of high-street favourites and global designers.
Some of her most iconic fashion moments include a midi-length Nina Ricci dress which was embellished with multi-coloured sequins that she wore to a dinner in Madrid, and a one-shoulder Stella McCartney cape gown which was beautifully worn for King Willem-Alexander‘s 50th birthday in The Netherlands.
Queen Letizia also stunned in a custom red gown for the state banquet at Buckingham Palace in 2017, complete with intricate beading detail. It didn’t take long for the media to report how people could copy the look, with the Daily Mail suggesting a crimson fishtail maxi dress from QUIZ as a high-street alternative.
As part of her state visit to the UK in July 2017, Letizia wore a stunning floral embroidered skirt from one of her favourite designers, Carolina Herrera. It’s no surprise that searches for the term ‘Carolina Herrera skirt’ rose by 50% from June to July of the same year.
Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, England
Deemed to be the royal most likely to convince American shoppers to purchase a UK brand, the Duchess of Cambridge has built up a loyal fashion following over the years that she’s been in the spotlight. Her influence on fashion even has its own name — ‘the Kate effect’.
When she wears an item of clothing or an accessory, it reportedly increases the desirability among 38% of US shoppers, hinting she’s loved even outside of her nation. After she arrived at the Victoria and Albert museum wearing a tweed dress in October 2018, search volume between September and October for the term ‘tweed dress’ rose by 50%..
Crown Princess Victoria, Sweden
Although she certainly knows how to rock her own fashion style, this royal succumbed to “the Kate effect” like many of us. She was spotted in an above-the-knee navy pleated dress to show off her baby bump in 2015, even though the Duchess of Cambridge had worn it for a private event the year before.
Known for her love of vibrant colours and bright prints, Princess Victoria stepped onto the red carpet at a sustainability awards event wearing a Maxjenny cocktail dress featuring scenic landscapes in August 2018. This look generated some interest around the brand too, with searches of the designer rising by 222% from July to August of the same year.
Crown Princess Mary, Denmark
Princess Mary became Crown Princess of Denmark when she wed Prince Frederik in 2004, and she’s since been recognised for her vibrant prints and stunning dresses.
She’s been spotted in some fairytale-esque looks such as when she greeted the President of Vietnam on his visit to Denmark in a floor-length blush pink gown, complete with lace. Mary is also often spotted in a statement dress coat and pillbox hat, channelling Jackie Kennedy vibes.
With her love for bright colours and stand-out styles, everyone was wanting to copy her look after she attended the Copenhagen Concert Hall in Denmark for the opening of the Copenhagen Fashion Summit in May 2018. Dressed in a chic blouse tucked into a pleated skirt by Charlotte Eskildsen, she certainly looked the part. Searches for designer ‘Charlotte Eskilden’ rose 51% after she stepped out wearing the brand.
Image credit at the very top of the article: wfpa/Bigstock.com
