Leopard print has long been considered a neutral (we can Shania for that). Hilary Alexander OBE, author of Leopard: Fashion’s Most Powerful Print, called it "cult, classic, classy and classless" - and even the royal family agrees.
From Princess Margaret and Queen Elizabeth II in the mid century to the Princess of Wales today, royal women have embraced animal print for decades. And with the trend dominating the spring/summer 2027 runways from Dolce & Gabbana to Roberto Cavalli and Diane von Furstenberg, its timeless status is official.
On Tuesday, Catherine leaned into the style again, wearing a yellow Elie Saab gown featuring a subtle leopard print to attend a state banquet in honour of Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tariq at Windsor Castle.
© Getty ImagesFrom the label's spring/summer 2025 collection, the dress featured a sweeping cape, a braided neckline, and a softly pleated skirt, altered with an added lining to suit royal protocol. But adorned in animal print, the look was more daring than first met the eye.
Here, we break down the best leopard print fashion moments in royal history.
Royal ladies wearing chic leopard print outfits
Princess Margaret, 1957
Princess Margaret often had fun with fashion, and her penchant for leopard print was no exception. Here she styled a printed coat with a pop of red at Badminton Horse Trials.
Queen Elizabeth II, 1962
The late Queen wore a leopard print coat at Sandown Park racecourse in March 1962. The statement piece, featuring a contrasting collar and cuffs, would prove to be one of the Queen's more controversial fashion choices as it was made from real fur. In 2019, the monarch's dresser Angela Kelly said that she would wear faux fur moving forward.
© Tim Graham Photo Library via GetPrincess Diana, 1990
Princess Diana was photographed while on holiday at a private retreat in the Caribbean in April 1990, wearing a leopard print swimsuit and matching sarong from American swimwear brand Jantzen.
Princess Diana, 1991
The following year, she wore a navy longline coat with a leopard print faux fur collar that looks like it was pulled straight from 2026. She was in Plymouth to wish British sailors luck ahead of their deployment during the Gulf War.
© WireImagePrincess Diana, 1997
Diana was wearing a leopard print swimsuit from Gottex in these pictures taken in the French Riviera in summer 1997. They became some of the most expensive and widely published paparazzi shots of the decade.
© GC ImagesMeghan Markle, 2016
Just days after her first date with Prince Harry, former actress Meghan stepped out in a pair of leopard print heels and a navy button-down dress to film the Today Show in New York.
Lady Amelia Windsor, 2017
Amelia Windsor wore a leopard print coat and gold boots to sit front row at the John Galliano show during Paris Fashion Week in 2017.
Princess Olympia of Greece, 2017
Princess Olympia of Greece dazzled in this leopard print dress at a Michael Kors charity gala in New York in 2017. She styled the midi dress (which was by the US fashion house, naturally) with gold heels and a matching box clutch.
© WireImageQueen Letizia of Spain, 2018
Queen Letizia wore a leopard print skirt with her Hugo Boss Capina cape and Nina Ricci Arc clutch to visit the IESE Business School in Madrid in 2018.
Princess Kate, 2020
The Princess of Wales surprised royal fans when she was pictured wearing a leopard print midi skirt from Zara while visiting a children’s centre in Cardiff in January 2020. She styled the high street piece with a black turtleneck and black Ralph Lauren boots.
Duchess Sophie, 2021
Duchess Sophie looked gorgeous in a navy wool coat and a leopard print hat in December 2021. She was joining her husband Prince Edward, King Charles, and Camilla for Christmas celebrations at Windsor Castle.
© Getty ImagesPrincess Kate, 2023
Catherine gave leopard print a regal, understated spin in 2023, wearing Cefinn’s Petra dress. The emerald midi could almost be mistaken for floral and made the perfect summer piece for her visit to the Riversley Park Children’s Centre in Nuneaton.
