Royal ladies who dared to bare in split-leg dresses! From Duchesses Kate and Meghan to Princess Beatrice

It's not often that we get to see members of the royal family embrace their more adventurous fashion side. While they tend to cover up with modest necklines and floor-length hems, there have been times when they have flashed more skin than expected. Whether its an accident caused by the weather or they intentionally opt for a split-legged dress, we take a look at some of the royal ladies' daring moments. Keep scrolling to see the Duchess of Cambridge, the Duchess of Sussex, Queen Letizia and more stun in split-leg dresses…

Duchess of Cambridge

Proving her power, after Kate wore this £320 thigh-high Self Portrait dress, not only did it (predictably) sell-out instantly, it firmly put the brand on the fashion map. People are still wearing this design today. 

Lady Amelia Windsor

If you're going to the Fashion Awards, you need an outfit that pushes boundaries. Lady Amelia Windsor did just that in 2017, wearing this sheer bustier dress from Dior.

Queen Letizia

In January 2020, the Spanish royal wowed fans at Pascua Militar Day in a stunning blue wrap dress fastened with a single silver jewel. As with all wrap dresses, a gust of wind meant it soon turned into a more daring hemline.

Princess Eugenie

The daughter of Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson looked sensational in July 2019 on a visit to London's Westminster Abbey. The royal dressed in an elegant green sheer dress by Alice & Olivia which featured a risqué thigh-high split revealing a shorter green slip beneath.

Duchess of Sussex

As part of the royal tour of South Africa, Meghan was pictured in  Johannesburg wearing a stunning camel double-breasted trench dress by Banana Republic. Outside the University she was seen holding the edge of her dress down to avoid it being lifted up by a gust of wind, giving the illusion of a split!

Duchess of Cambridge

And in May 2019, Kate thrilled her fashion fans by recycling the polka-dot Alessandra Rich dress she first wore in Prince Charles' 70th birthday portraits. It was something of a celebrity favourite in 2018, too, with Suits actress Abigail Spencer wearing the same frock to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's royal wedding. Sarah Jessica Parker and Ivanka Trump are also fans - the button-down design allows for a subtle split at the hem.

Duchess of Sussex

Proving you don't have to be daring to be on-trend, Meghan opted for this beautiful Givenchy dress which featured a subtle slit for her first solo engagement in 2018. 

Lady Amelia Windsor

In June, the coolest royal attended the Royal Academy of Arts Summer exhibition preview at Burlington House, wearing a pastel slip dress with a sexy split by Stella McCartney and some seriously cool trainers, also by the designer. Paired with her baby blue shoulder bag and a collection of gold jewellery, she lived up to her fashion muse rep.

Princess Beatrice

All eyes were on Princess Beatrice back in 2015 when she stepped out to attend the Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty exhibition in London. Wearing a stunning black tuxedo dress (that we can totally see Meghan in, right?), it featured a lapel collar, no sleeves and a daring thigh-high split. 

Princess Diana

Always ahead of the game, Princess Diana gave a subtle nod to the thigh-high split trend way back in 1988 when she attended the premier of Crocodile Dundee in London. 

Duchess of Sussex

The Duchess of Sussex showcased her holiday-style in this striped beach dress while in Australia during the 2018 Royal Tour. Featuring spaghetti straps, a tie-waist and a side-split, it was the perfect balance of lady-like yet relaxed. 

BEAUTY: Best royal plaits on Kate Middleton, Queen Letizia and Princess Beatrice

Duchess of Cambridge

Kate looked breathtaking when she arrived for a dinner hosted by The Thirty Club at Claridge's in 2012. The cream high-slit dress was designed by Roland Mouret and proved a hit with fashion critics around the world. 

Queen Letizia

Experiencing her very own Marilyn Monroe moment, Queen Letizia wowed in this polka-dot split dress while in Salamanca in 2018. 

Duchess of Sussex

Once again rocking a demure split dress - this time Meghan looked a lot more work-ready in a navy sleeveless day-dress. Doesn't she prove a split really can work for any occassion?

Princess Victoria

The Swedish royal looked like a real-deal Disney princess while attending a private dinner on the eve of the wedding of Princess Madeleine and Christopher O'Neill back in 2013. The split skirt really gave this gown an edge. 

Princess Sofia

This might be our favourite ever look on Princess Sofia of Sweden. Acting as bridesmaid to one of her best friends, the royal nailed her look with this summer-ready yellow, split leg a-symmetric gown.

READ: Kate Middleton's best outfits of the past decade

Princess Victoria

The royal certainly wowed onlookers when she choose this satin, split-legged dress to welcome the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge to Stockholm in January 2018. 

Duchess of Cambridge

Clearly a huge fan of a split-thigh silhouette, Kate opted for a summery tea dress featuring the design when she attended a HeadsTogether event in Harlow in 2016. We love this look on her.