When we think of the royal family, tattoos aren't necessarily what springs to mind. They tend to have a strict protocol when it comes to appearance, from makeup and jewellery to nail polish colour and even the shade of their tights. So it always comes as a huge surprise when royals show off an edgy inking, whether it's permanent or temporary.
Over the years, several high-profile royals have displayed subtle ink. Princess Eugenie revealed a discreet tattoo behind her ear during a royal event in 2022, while fashion-forward royal Lady Amelia Windsor sports several designs across her ribcage, left hand, and wrists. Princess Sofia of Sweden even famously showcased a sun tattoo between her shoulder blades on her wedding day.
Read on to find out which royals have been tempted by tattoos…
Princess Eugenie
Yes, Princess Eugenie has a tattoo! The royal has a very small inking behind her ear: fans have spotted the subtle tattoo a number of times when Princess Eugenie has stepped out for various engagements over the years.
It's not known when the royal had her ink done, but in the below image, showing the royal attending the Thanksgiving Service at St Paul's Cathedral to celebrate the Queen's Platinum Jubilee in 2022, Eugenie's hair was pinned away from her face, revealing the delicate circle tattoo behind her left ear. The meaning behind it is not known, but some royal fans believe she had it done to honour her late grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II.
© Max Mumby/IndigoQueen Camilla
Although Queen Camilla does not have permanent ink, she did partake in some henna activities while on an official engagement in 2011 with her husband, King Charles, then Prince Charles, in Zanzibar. Camilla visited a henna tattooist and had her own ink creation painted on her hand. The royal couple were on a four-day trip to Tanzania to highlight environmental issues in Africa.
© Chris JacksonPrincess Kate
Much like her mother-in-law, the Queen, the Princess of Wales doesn't have a permanent tattoo, but she has enjoyed having temporary henna done in the past. In February 2018, while seven months pregnant with Louis, the Princess received a small henna tattoo while marking the opening of a new artist's residence in Sunderland. Wonder how it faded so fast? Henna is a natural dye that only lasts around one to four weeks.
© WPA PoolMeghan Markle
During the royal couple's trip to Morocco in 2019, Meghan Markle was given a henna tattoo by teenager Samira. The henna flower was created on Meghan’s right hand to celebrate her pregnancy as per Moroccan tradition. Samira explained: "It is a traditional practice for pregnant women in Morocco. It is to bring luck for the baby."
© Tim P. WhitbyWhen the artwork was completed, Meghan said: "That’s really lovely," and proudly showed it to husband Prince Harry, who was sitting next to her. Meghan added: "It will dry for a little bit and then we can walk through." Here's a close-up photo of Meghan with her beautiful henna tattoo...
© Pool/Samir HusseinDoria Ragland
Like mother, like daughter! The Duchess of Sussex's mother, Doria Ragland, showed off her beautifully artistic arm ink while stepping out in Beverly Hills recently. Wearing a chic red strappy jumpsuit, the yoga instructor's tattoo was on full display. The ink is a floral design, with some royal fans theorising that Doria's tattoo could be a tribute to Meghan as she refers to her daughter as 'flower'. One of the flowers is a lily, so could this also be a tribute to her granddaughter Lilibet?
© AKGSLady Amelia Windsor
It-girl Lady Amelia Windsor, who is the granddaughter of the Duke of Kent, isn't shy about expressing her personal style. Inked in more places than one, the stylish royal showed off her rib cage tattoo while attending the Serpentine Summer Party. She also has tattoos on each of her wrists and a tiger on her left-hand shoulder blade.
© Mike MarslandKing Frederik of Denmark
King Frederik of Denmark has two tattoos but this isn't unusual in his family. His grandfather, King Frederik IX, who ruled Denmark from 1947 up until his death in 1972, had tattoos of dragons and birds on his torso. Why? Because, just like King Frederik, who has a shark on his calf and a tattoo on his arm that means 'pingu', the chosen symbols are used to represent their time served in the Danish Navy.
© GettyPrincess Sofia, Duchess of Värmland
Before marrying Prince Carl Philip, Duke of Värmland, who is fourth in line to the Swedish throne, Princess Sofia worked as a glamour model and reality television star. After getting together with her future husband, she didn't erase her tattoos because of her new royal status.
On her wedding day, a sun between her shoulder blades was visible and revealed a large tattoo of a flying butterfly on her ribcage while on holiday a few years ago. Sofia also has a minute inking on her ankle and is said to have previously had a motif on her arm.
© Gisela SchoberPrincess Stéphanie of Monaco
The youngest daughter of American actress Grace Kelly and Rainier III, Prince of Monaco, Princess Stéphanie was lovingly called 'wild child' by her mother when she was growing up. After her mother was killed in a car accident in 1982 while Stéphanie was riding with her, she reportedly grew more rebellious and opted for several tattoos, including a floral bracelet, two jumping dolphins on her foot and a motif on her back.
© Pool BENAINOUS/SCORCELLETTIPauline Ducruet
Pauline Ducruet is the daughter of Princess Stéphanie of Monaco and is 14th in line to the Monegasque throne. Like mother, like daughter, she's also partial to visiting the tattoo parlour and has a floral motif on her wrist too - a daisy. She also has a small circle inked on the inside of her left ear.
© Francois Durand
