Photo: Instagram.com
‘Power dressing’—the act of styling oneself to assert authority, most commonly in a finely tailored suit—has long been a fine art. In the Seventies, the trousers were flared and fabulous; the Eighties were defined by bigger-means-better shoulder pads; and by the end of 90s, it was all about a relaxed yet perfectly proportioned fit. But one theme has stuck throughout the power suit’s metamorphosis: it’s backed by a legion of ultra-stylish royals.
Princess Anne was an early adopter of women’s tailoring, wearing white suits reminiscent of Bianca Jagger in Yves Saint Laurent as far back as 1973. Later, Diana, Princess of Wales led the pack with an androgynous appeal. The Countess of Wessex took the baton in the early Oughts in a plethora of pastel sets, and now, the Duchesses of Cambridge and Sussex compete for best dressed, buttoned up in Alexander McQueen and Loro Piana. Queen Letizia of Spain keeps it bold in vivid hues, Charlotte Casiraghi opts for tweed from Chanel or Gucci, and Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden has a penchant for prints.
Those in need of some powerful wardrobe inspiration, look no further. See below some of our favorite royal tailoring moments.
Queen Rania
At the Queen Rania Teacher Academy, 2021
Photo: Instagram.com
The Duchess Of Cambridge
At the Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood, 2022
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Queen Letizia of Spain
At the Creade Refugees Centre, 2022
Photo: Getty
Diana, Princess of Wales
At Wembley Stadium, 1988
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Queen Rania
At the HeForShe IMPACT Summit, New York, 2018
Photo: Instagram.com
Princess Anne
Visiting a theatre, 1973
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The Duchess of Cambridge
In Kingston, Jamaica, 2022
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The Duchess of Sussex
At the Invictus Games, 2022
Photo: Getty
Queen Rania
Jordan, 2021
Photo: Instagram.com
Diana, The Princess Of Wales
At the Connaught Hotel, 1997
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The Countess of Wessex
At Chelsea Flower Show, 2022
Photo: Getty
Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden
Visiting the research vessel ‘Skagerrak’, 2022
Photo: Getty
The Duchess of Cambridge
Visiting Ulster University Magee Campus, 2021
Photo: Getty
Diana, Princess of Wales
At the Royal Albert Hall, 1990
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The Countess of Wessex
At the V&A Museum, 2005
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Diana, Princess Of Wales
At a gala, 1986
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Queen Letizia of Spain
Visiting La Otra Corte, 2019
Photo: Getty
Princess Sofia of Sweden
At the Medals of Merit presentation, 2018
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Queen Letizia of Spain
Visiting a students’ residence, 2020
Photo: Getty
The Duchess of Sussex
With the Duke of Sussex in Ireland, 2018
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Queen Elizabeth II
At King Edward VII Hospital, 2003
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The Duchess of Sussex
At Royal Lancaster Hotel, 2018
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Charlotte Casiraghi
At the Gucci Paris Masters, 2012
Photo: Getty
Crown Princess Mary of Denmark
Visiting the Designloungeon, 2017
Photo: Getty
Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden
At the Fryshuset Foundation, 2022
Photo: Getty
Princess Eugenie of York
With Misha Nonoo at a fashion event, 2019
Photo: Getty
Princess Isabella of Denmark
During her confirmation, 2022
Photo: Getty
Crown Princess Mary of Denmark
Visiting the Royal Academy of Arts, 2022
Photo: Getty
Originally published in Tatler.com
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