The British royal family doesn’t do summer style like most. To state the obvious, you won’t be seeing a whole lot of denim shorts or flip-flops, nor will you likely catch a glimpse of bare midriff. Rather, a polished wardrobe in keeping with the throne’s decorum is the summer standard. But what the royal family might lack in letting their hair down, so to speak, they more than make up for in high-fashion flair.
Just look to Queen Elizabeth II for proof. The monarch’s decades-long penchant for color and accessories was unmatched. Of course, Princess Margaret was a summer style icon in her own right, particularly during the 1960s when some of her most compelling warm-weather moments debuted across the globe (more on that below). Then there’s Diana, Princess of Wales, a woman who mastered the art of cheerful dressing, whether it was with a pair of butter yellow overalls or a sharp-shouldered skirt suit in a bold hue.
The modern generation of the British royal family is equally attuned to dressing for sunny weather. From Catherine, Princess of Wales and her seemingly endless rotation of refined dresses, to Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, whose much-replicated personal style needs no introduction.
Below, explore the family’s most memorable summer looks, from early years at Windsor Castle to the Royal Box style at Wimbledon.