Royal fashion enthusiasts are counting down to the next royal style spectacle. In 2026, the Trooping the Colour parade takes place on Saturday, 13 June, and alongside the grandeur of the annual military parade comes the promise of another showcase of impeccable royal fashion.
What is Trooping the Colour?
Trooping the Colour is a ceremonial military parade held to celebrate the official birthday of the reigning monarch, regardless of their actual date of birth.
One of the day's most anticipated moments is the RAF fly-past, which coincides with the Royal Family's iconic appearance on the Buckingham Palace balcony. It's here that all eyes will be on Princess Kate, whose fashion choices never fail to captivate. Following her flawlessly elegant Catherine Walker ensemble in 2025, expectations for this year's look are higher than ever.
She's far from the only royal to have delivered a memorable Trooping the Colour fashion moment. Over the years, the event has provided a showcase for some of the monarchy's most iconic style statements, from Princess Diana's endlessly elegant wardrobe to the polished looks of Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, the sophisticated ensembles of Sophie Winkleman, Lady Frederick Windsor, and Princess Anne's outfits that have become a hallmark of her royal style.
To mark this year's Trooping the Colour, we've rounded up 30 of the most unforgettable looks ever worn at the royal celebration, which have defined the event's fashion history.
The 30 best Trooping the Colour outfits of all time:
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© Keystone-FranceQueen Elizabeth II - 1956
Queen Elizabeth II donned the ceremonial uniform of the Colonel of the Grenadier Guards, complete with shiny medals and a navy blue sash. Her stylish bearskin cap, adorned with a jaunty white plume, adding a dash of flair. This attire is a formal military uniform, symbolising the Queen's role as the head of the British Armed Forces. She waved gracefully in white gloves, standing next to adorable Princess Anne, who was dressed in a charming white frock and bonnet. It's a picture-perfect moment at Buckingham Palace.
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© -Princess Alexandra - 1969
Princess Alexandra sported a vibrant, striped ensemble that was utterly mod-chic. She wore a striking coat dress adorned with horizontal stripes in shades of silver, beige, and pink. The coat featured a high collar and was fastened with large, bold buttons, exuding a 60s vibe. Her matching pillbox hat, perched stylishly on her head, completed the look, adding a touch of playful sophistication.
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© Tim GrahamPrincess Margaret - 1982
Princess Margaret knocked it out of the park in 1982 with a white feather-adorned wraparound headband. She completed her look with a vibrant blue fitted jacket and a turquoise and silver brooch.
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© PA ImagesPrincess Anne - 1985
Princess Anne radiated sunshine in her vibrant yellow ensemble. She donned a chic, tailored dress with a high collar and subtle pleats, cinched with a matching belt. Her look was perfectly accessorized with a stylish straw boater, featuring a coordinating yellow band and delightful net detailing. A pearl chocker and a brooch added a touch of elegance, making her a stand out on the balcony.
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Princess Diana - 1986
Princess Diana was a vision in polka dots in 1986 when she wore a white and red puff-sleeve dress, a string of pearls and a vibrant wide-brim hat.
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© Tim GrahamPrincess Michael Of Kent - 1988
Princess Michael of Kent dazzled in a cream ensemble that was the epitome of elegance. She rocked a tweed jacket adorned with bold black buttons and a statement brooch. The black bow at her neckline added a playful touch, while her wide-brimmed hat, decked out with black flowers and a chic veil, oozed royal sophistication.
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© Tim GrahamPrincess Diana - 1988
Princess Diana made us green with envy in a stunning emerald green suit with sharp white lapels that popped against the vibrant colour. Her wide-brimmed hat, which matched the suit with a crisp white band, was pure perfection. The triple strand pearl choker adding a touch of glam, as she carried young Prince Harry, who matched in green suspenders.
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© Tim GrahamKatharine, Duchess of Kent - 1991
Katharine, the Duchess of Kent exuded timeless elegance in a striking red ensemble. Her tailored jacket was adorned with a still-very-much-on-trend rosette, which perfectly complemented her chic, wide-brimmed hat accented with a sophisticated white ribbon. Her bold and stylish outfit made a regal statement, showcasing her impeccable taste.
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© Getty ImagesPrincess Diana, 1991
In 1991, Diana oozed chic in a custom outfit from her frequent collaborator, Catherine Walker. She paired it with a matching navy hat by Philip Somerville.
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© Mark CuthbertPrincess Alexandra - 2006
Standing out with her impeccable fashion sense Princess Alexandra looked elegant as ever at the Trooping the Colour ceremony. She wore a pristine, tailored white coat dress adorned with delicate buttons. The ensemble was completed with a wide-brimmed hat decorated with white floral accents. Her accessories included a royal-approved multi-strand pearl necklace and a matching brooch.
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© Max Mumby/IndigoPrincess Beatrice – 2007
Princess Beatrice raised the bar in the accessory department in 2008 - that's for sure. Wearing a textural extravaganza, she paved the way for wedding guests wanting to make a major hat statement.
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© Max Mumby/IndigoLady Frederick Windsor - 2011
Sophie Winkleman, who is the wife of Lord Frederick Windsor, looked elegant in 2011 in a 1980s-feel dark fitted jacket with a cream wide-brim hat and pearl stud earrings.
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© UK Press via Getty ImagesPrincess Kate - 2011
For her debut Trooping the Colour, Kate stunned in a bridal-esque coat dress by Alexander McQueen featuring a double-breasted fastening and a fashion-forward samurai-style skirt.
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© UK Press via Getty ImagesPrincess Beatrice - 2013
Grey hues aren't a regular choice for such events, but Princess Beatrice wore the chicest greige hue in 2013. Her coat dress featured cute bow accents that would slot perfectly onto fashion agenda's in the 2020s.
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© Mark CuthbertLady Gabriella Windsor - 2016
Gabriella Windsor exuded elegance with her refined outfit in 2016. She wore a chic, tailored beige coat dress with pale blue accents along the front, cuffs, and pockets, adding a subtle pop of colour. Her ensemble was complemented by a wide-brimmed beige hat adorned with intricate ribbon detailing. Gabriella's understated pearl drop earrings completed her poised and polished look.
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© Samir HusseinPrincess Kate - 2016
At the 2016 Trooping the Colour, Princess Kate looked radiant in a pastel Alexander McQueen dress coat. The elegant outfit, which she also wore to her daughter Princess Charlotte's christening, features a fitted bodice and a flared skirt. She topped off the ensemble with a stylish Philip Treacy saucer hat adorned with a large floral detail. Kate accessorised with pearl earrings and Mappin & Webb's Empress pendant.
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© Max Mumby/IndigoLady Amelia Windsor - 2017
Lady Amelia Windsor captured the spirit of summer dressing in 2017, wearing a crisp white textured dress with a rich blue headpiece.
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© Mark CuthbertPrincess Eugenie – 2018
Princess Eugenie looked resplendent in bottle green in 2018 when she styled her dress alongside a softly rounded botanical pattern headpiece.
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The Duchess of Sussex – 2018
Meghan Markle looked categorically elegant in 2018 when she wore a light pink asymmetric off-the-shoulder dress by Carolina Herrera.
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© Getty ImagesLady Frederick Windsor, 2018
The actress looked effortlessly chic in an asymmetric suit by Catherine Walker, paired with a hat by Siggi Hats.
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© Getty ImagesFlora Vesterberg, 2019
Flora Vesterberg (née Ogilvy) - granddaughter of Princess Alexandra and extended cousin to King Charles III, wore an elegant periwinkle blue dress paired with a stunning cream hat.
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© Chris JacksonThe Princess of Wales – 2019
Princess Kate opted for a pale yellow centrally pleated outfit by Alexander McQueen in 2019, complete with matching floral headpiece.
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© Chris JacksonPrincess Beatrice - 2019
At the 2019 Trooping the Colour, Princess Beatrice looked stunning in a blush pink dress adorned with black lace detailing. The dress featured a sleek, modern silhouette, and she complemented it with a floral headpiece by milliner Judy Bentinck.
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© Getty ImagesThe Duchess of Sussex - 2019
In 2019, Meghan Markle perfected her signature refined elegance agenda wearing head-to-toe navy.
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© GettyQueen Elizabeth II – 2022
The late monarch was in high spirits at the 2022 trooping ceremony in a dusty bead-trimmed lilac ensemble.
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© Getty ImagesThe Princess of Wales - 2023
At the 2023 Trooping the Colour, Princess Kate was a vision in an emerald green coat dress by Andrew Gn. Her ensemble featured satin trim and handcrafted jewelled buttons, complemented by a custom wide-brimmed hat designed by Philip Treacy. She accessorised with Princess Diana's heirloom sapphire and diamond earrings and a gold shamrock brooch, a homage to her role as Colonel of the Irish Guards.
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© Getty ImagesThe Duchess of Edinburgh, 2023
Duchess Sophie's incredible hat was the accessories winner in 2023. Her sculptural cream piece featured a statement floral embellishment and an asymmetric brim.
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© Samir Hussein/WireImagePrincess Charlotte - 2024
In 2024, Princess Charlotte showed that she's a mini Kate in the making, wearing the cutest navy dress with a stylish white bow.
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© Getty ImagesPrincess Kate, 2025
In arguably her best Trooping The Colour look of all time, the Princess of Wales wore an aquamarine coat dress by Catherine Walker that paid homage to her late mother-in-law's famous outfit in the same hue. She also wore the late Queen Elizabeth II's wedding earrings.
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© Getty ImagesThe Duchess of Edinburgh, 2025
Duchess Sophie paired a bespoke green silk dress designed by Beulah London with a matching green Jane Taylor pillbox hat and a Collins & Sons diamond infinity pendant.
