In her current fashion era defined by timeless tailoring and quiet luxury, the Duchess of Edinburgh's past deviation from the royal norm is hard to envision.
While she was still adjusting to life in the spotlight alongside Prince Edward, Sophie Rhys-Jones was finding her feet with her style, still heavily influenced by timely trends. One such occasion was in 1997, three years into the former PR professional's relationship with the royal.
At the launch of Callaghans in the Cumberland Hotel, Marble Arch, she opted for a grunge glam look that epitomised 90s fashion in fitted trousers finished with gold embroidery. She teamed it with a satin midnight blue blazer and completed her look with gold jewellery, her dark blonde pixie cut in a straight style and mascara defining her eyes.
Pitting the ornate, heavy texture of the jacquard against the sleek, fluid silk jacket was a perfect example of the juxtaposition that defined the grunge glam era. In the 90s, we often saw models and A-listers styling band tees or heavy combat boots with more opulent pieces, finished with smudged eyeliner for an elevated, rebellious aesthetic.
Today, that same rebellious spirit is driving fashion’s modern renaissance. Runway trends once again favour tactile contrasts – think glossy silks offset by battered suede – and undone beauty looks.
© PA Images via Getty ImagesWhile Sophie experimented with high-fashion trends early on, modern royal wardrobes rarely follow fleeting fads. Instead, they lean toward effortless looks and staple items that can be recycled as part of their sustainable fashion ethos.
Royals develop their own timeless style and avoid trends
© Getty ImagesOne of the biggest royal advocates for this is Princess Anne, who continues to rewear some of her looks from the 1970s.
During an interview with Australian Women’s Weekly in 2022, the Princess Royal admitted she has been influenced by her mother Queen Elizabeth II.
© Getty Images for Ascot Racecours"The Queen and I had a discussion the other day about the difference between fashion and style, and I think maybe that's relevant in the sense that she didn't do fashion, but she certainly does style, and style tends to last longer. You have an individual style, and it's a quality which has a long-term value."
Praising her late mother's refusal to chase passing trends, she said in an ITV documentary: "I think that's a remarkable skill—to know what the true values are and stick with those, not worry too much about the things, the fashions, the things that come and go."
