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Queen Camilla makes major style departure in print she never wears

King Charles' wife looked stunning in this leopard print dress for a fresh new vibe

Camilla, Queen Consort in green
Katie Daly
Lifestyle Writer
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Queen Camilla has done it. She's rocked leopard print, and exceedingly well. The royal, 76, arrived at a reception held alongside her husband King Charles III at Buckingham Palace for the Kenyan diaspora. The event was intended to celebrate the relationship between the UK and Kenya ahead of the royal visit to the African country from 31 October until 3 November.

The King's wife wore a midi-length satin Fiona Clare couture dress in a tan and black leopard print. The dress featured an open collar neckline and a ruffle down the front. The royal paired the leopard print number with a pair of Eliot Zed 'Gladys' black suede pumps and went for an equally understated accessory in the form of an Anna Valentine x Charles Laurie London black leather clutch.

WATCH: Queen Camilla plays table tennis with Brigitte Macron on state visit to France
Queen Camilla speaking to lady in chair© Getty
Queen Camilla rocked the leopard print at Buckingham Palace

The Queen has work leopard print on just one other occasion – she wore the same dress in green and navy when pictured with French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte for an evening at the Élysée Palace in Paris.

The royal opted for gold jewellery to complement the warm neutral shades in her dress. She wore a Monica Vinader Goodess Coin Pendant, a trendy Van Cleef & Arpels 'Alhambra 5 motif' bracelet and a gold plate pendant with a ruby in the centre and the initials of her five grandchildren – Lola, 16, Eliza, 15, Louis, and Gus, both 14, and Freddy, 13. 

Queen Camilla in leopard print with King Charles© Getty
Queen Camilla wowed in leopard print

The Queen wore her hair in her signature bouncy blow dry with sweeping front layers and wore a natural makeup look with a flattering soft pink lip.

The King looked equally smart in a grey two-piece suit with white stripe detail and a pink tie with animal print. Attendees of the event also celebrated in style. Guests included Gurinda Chadha director and writer of Bend it Like Beckham, Ms Sally Nyinza of the Kenyan Nurses and Midwives Association and Dr Anne Makena from the Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health at the University of Oxford.

Queen Camilla with Gurinda Chadha © Getty
Queen Camilla with Gurinda Chadha

The monarch and his wife were invited to Kenya by President Ruto to celebrate sixty years of Kenyan independence. The King and Queen will visit Nairobi City County as well as Mombasa County and the surrounding areas.

The programme devised for Their Majesties intends to highlight how Kenya and the UK are working together, to tackle climate change, advance sustainable development and promote youth opportunity.

Queen Camilla with Dr Anne Makena © Getty
Queen Camilla with Dr Anne Makena

Queen Camilla has been on our royal style radar of late. The Queen surprised in knee-high boots and a coatdress that Princess Kate would certainly approve of when she headed to Ascot for the QIPCO British Champions Day. Her Majesty paired the bottle green coat dress and boot ensemble with an impressive hat and black leather gloves. 

Queen Camilla smiling at Ascot © Getty
The Queen dazzled in a forest green coat dress

A simpler all-white look also caught our attention. The Queen paired a white dress with scallop detailing with a timeless footwear choice – a pair of Chanel two-tone pumps. She wore the ensemble to a reception at Buckingham Palace held to give thanks to the personnel involved in planning Queen Elizabeth's funeral and the King's Coronation this spring. 

Queen Camilla in white dress meeting people© Getty
Queen Camilla glowed at the Buckingham Palace reception

Her showstopping royal fashion moment of late has got to be when she wore the late Queen Elizabeth II's most prized diadem. Queen Camilla attended a reception and dinner at Mansion House in honour of their first official visit to the City of London since the Coronation in an embroidered Bruce Oldfield gown. 

However, the royal's choice to wear the Queen Mary's Girls of Great Britain and Ireland tiara stole the show.

Queen Camilla and King Charles III arrive at a reception and dinner held at Mansion House on 18 October 2023© Getty
Queen Camilla wore a very special tiara

DISCOVER:  Queen Camilla has stunning photo of Prince William and Princess Kate on display at London home

Leopard print is certainly an unusual choice for Queen Camilla but it is a print that she rocks in style. We're adding a satin leopard print dress to our autumn style mood board.

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