Leopard print has long been considered a neutral (we can thank 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 Princess Kate 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. Need some inspiration? I've done a deep dive into the best royal leopard print moments of all time.
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 by Jantzen.
© WireImagePrincess Diana, 1997
Diana was also wearing a leopard print swimsuit (by 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, 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 as she took to the front row of 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
Princess Kate surprised royal fashion 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 it with a black turtleneck and black Ralph Lauren boots.
Duchess Sophie, 2021
Duchess Sophie looked gorgeous when she styled a navy wool coat with a leopard print hat and clutch bag in December 2021. She was joining her husband Prince Edward, King Charles, and Camilla for Christmas celebrations at Windsor Castle.
© Getty ImagesPrincess Kate, 2023
Kate 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.
