The British royal family must adhere to strict protocol, and that extends directly to their wardrobes.
Dressing for public duties is a complex task for royal women, who must navigate rules ranging from wearing tights in all weather conditions to avoiding off-the-shoulder designs. Looking polished and glamorous requires dedication, as they must carefully follow these long-standing guidelines. Centuries of tradition continue to dictate royal style, ensuring family members are rarely seen with a hair out of place.
But that doesn't mean the ladies of the Firm never defy the traditional rules. Join HELLO! as we look at the moments our favourite royal fashionistas, from Princess Diana to Queen Máxima, have broken royal fashion protocol.
Meghan Markle's rebellious dress
Female royals are not allowed to show their bare legs, and must always wear tights for official outings (no matter what the weather). The Duchess of Sussex may have turned a few heads when she stepped out alongside Prince Harry to announce their engagement in November 2017.
Princess Diana's daring black outfit
Royal ladies are the epitome of decorum and grace, so it's no surprise that dresses and skirts should always be an appropriate length. Princess Diana clearly didn't take notice of this rule!
Queen Elizabeth II's stance on animal fur
Despite officially banning real fur from her wardrobe in 2019, the late Queen Elizabeth II was seen wearing animal fur on multiple occasions, as were the Duchess of Cornwall (now Queen Camilla) and the late Princess Margaret. To align with modern animal welfare standards, the late monarch eventually decided to switch exclusively to faux fur for new garments.
Princess Kate's shorter skirt
The Duchess of Cambridge has also been known to defy royal fashion protocol and opt for a skirt higher than the recommended four inches above the knee.
A perfect manicure for Princess Charlotte
© Getty ImagesStepping out at Wimbledon, Princess Charlotte, 11, took a seat in the front row of the coveted Royal Box where she was seen sporting a candy pink manicure for the very first time, in spite of widely reported royal rules around nail polish. It is believed that it is seen as more appropriate for royal ladies to wear a nude, clear, or soft pink nail polish, if any at all, on royal outings.
Princess Diana's mini dress moment
Cleavage is not appropriate for a royal lady, who must always remain modest with their fashion choices. No wonder Princess Diana's strappy mini dress designed by Catherine Walker was quite the showstopper at the time.
Princess Kate's BAFTA dress
Royal Ascot formally banned guests from wearing strapless dresses, and it comes hand-in-hand with royal etiquette that royal ladies rarely share their shoulders. At the 2019 BAFTAs, the Princess of Wales teetered on the edge of royal protocol with a daring one-shouldered dress.
Queen Máxima's Cinderella look
Queen Máxima stunned in a blue tiered dress in Germany as she attended a concert with her husband King Willem-Alexander. The Dutch royal dared to bare in a blue strapless dress.
Queen Elizabeth II's quick delivery
Royals must always pack a black outfit with them on their travels, in case of the sudden death of a family member. However, in 1952 the Queen didn’t bring a change of clothes when she was faced with the tragic news of her father's death. She had to wait inside the plane for one to be delivered before stepping out publicly.
Princess Kate's non-sporty look
Wedge shoes are supposedly prohibited around the Queen. That didn't stop Kate from playing volleyball in these cork wedges, however!
Meghan Markle going hatless
Out of courtesy, the late Queen requested that ladies keep their heads covered for official public engagements. It was incredibly rare to see the monarch without a hat or headscarf, making it particularly notable when Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, went hatless to an event where she was seated alongside her grandmother-in-law.
Princess Kate's fashion change
© AFP via Getty ImagesIn 2026, the Princess of Wales arrived at Wimbledon in a sharp suit, breaking her own self-imposed fashion rule for the tournament. She looked ready for the event in a blue linen-blend suit featuring matching tailored trousers. While not a violation of strict royal protocol, Kate typically favours dresses for her visits to the All England Club, making this outfit choice a bold departure for the royal.
