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31 Of The Most Daring Outfits Royals Have Ever Worn
Meghan Markle attends the Variety Power of Women event in November 2023.
Michael Buckner/Variety via Getty Images
- Royals often have to stick to a dress code, but sometimes they surprise fans with a daring look.
- Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle have both worn dresses designed with thigh-high slits.
- Princess Diana wasn't afraid of off-the-shoulder gowns and low-cut necklines.
When you think of royal fashion, you likely think of extravagant ball gowns, prim coatdresses, or jewelry worth tens of thousands of dollars.
But royals sometimes experiment with their style. Some have used clothes to send subtle messages, while others have discussed unspoken rules around fashion, such as Meghan Markle's assertion that British royal family members shouldn't wear the same color.
And on other occasions, royals have been known to step outside their comfort zones and wear bold looks. Take a look at some of the most daring outfits royals have worn to date.
Princess Diana wore an off-the-shoulder Catherine Walker gown during a royal tour of Australia in 1988.![]()
Princess Diana attended a bicentennial dinner in Australia in 1988.
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The colorful dress was designed with a leg slit on one side.
She also wore a one-shoulder Catherine Walker gown during an official trip to Brazil in 1991.![]()
Princess Diana during an official trip to Brazil in 1991.
Tim Graham/Getty Images
She completed her look by wearing the famous Lover's Knot tiara.
In 1994, Diana arrived at the Serpentine Gallery wearing a black Christina Stambolian dress with a plunging neckline.![]()
Princess Diana at the Serpentine Gallery in 1994.
Princess Diana archive
It was dubbed the "revenge dress" because she wore it on the same night then-Prince Charles' controversial tell-all interview aired.
He admitted to having an affair in the television documentary.
Diana's beaded, blue midi dress for a 1995 appearance at the Serpentine Gallery was daring for a royal.![]()
Princess Diana made an appearance at the Serpentine Gallery in 1995.
Tim Graham/Getty Images
The halter-style dress was designed with a low-cut neckline and a partially open back.
Diana wore a white lace gown with a low back to a gala in 1996.![]()
Princess Diana attended a charity dinner in Washington, DC, in 1996.
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She arrived at the gala in Washington, DC, carrying a matching white clutch.
In 2011, Kate Middleton wore a yellow Jenny Packham dress that almost rode up while she was walking.![]()
Kate Middleton and Prince William arrive on their royal tour of North America in 2011.
Samir Hussein/Getty Images
After this moment, one of the Queen's tailors reportedly started sewing small weights into the hems of all royal garments to prevent them from blowing up in the wind.
Kate wore a high-low Jenny Packham dress to the Wildlife Photographer of the Year Awards in 2014.![]()
Kate Middleton attended the 2014 Wildlife Photographer of the Year Awards.
WPA Pool
She wore a pair of neutral heels with her blue dress.
Princess Beatrice attended the 2016 Victoria & Albert Museum Fashion Benefit Dinner in an Alexander McQueen tuxedo dress.![]()
Princess Beatrice attended the 2016 Victoria & Albert Museum Fashion Benefit Dinner.
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The dress featured a plunging neckline and a thigh-high slit.
Kate chose a white Self-Portrait gown for the 2016 UK Premiere of "A Street Cat Named Bob."![]()
Middleton attends the 2016 UK Premiere of "A Street Cat Named Bob."
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The cream gown featured a lace bodice and a thigh-high slit.
She wore one of her most daring looks to the 2017 BAFTAs.![]()
Kate Middleton attends the 2017 BAFTAs alongside Prince William.
WPA Pool
Kate walked the red carpet in an off-the-shoulder gown from Alexander McQueen. She wore the dress again in 2019 but made it look brand-new by adding cap sleeves.
Beatrice wore a semi-sheer Self-Portrait dress to the Victoria & Albert summer party in 2017.![]()
Princess Beatrice attends the 2017 Victoria & Albert summer party.
Chris Jackson/Getty Images
She wore a pair of platform heels with the dress.
In 2017, Kate wore an off-the-shoulder Alexander McQueen maxi dress to celebrate the Queen's birthday during an official visit to Germany.![]()
Kate Middleton attended the Queen's birthday party at the British Ambassadorial Residence during a royal visit to Germany.
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She completed the look with a pair of neutral Prada heels.
Meghan Markle opted for a more modern look in her official engagement photos with Prince Harry.![]()
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in their official 2017 engagement photos.
Alexi Lubomirski / Kensington Palace
The Duchess of Sussex wore a $75,000 Ralph & Russo dress that was designed with a sheer top and full skirt.
Kate wore an emerald-green Jenny Packham gown to the 2018 BAFTAs.![]()
Kate Middleton and Prince William attend the 2018 BAFTAs.
Karwai Tang/Getty Images
The gown was designed with a low-cut neckline and slightly off-the-shoulder sleeves.
Meghan wore a baby-pink Carolina Herrera dress for her first Trooping the Colour in 2018.![]()
Markle attends Trooping the Colour in 2018.
Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images
The duchess' dress featured off-the-shoulder sleeves and button detailing on the bodice.
Meghan embraced the "no pants" trend at a 2018 gala performance of "Hamilton."![]()
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at the 2018 performance of "Hamilton."
Dan Charity/Getty Images
Markle wore a tuxedo minidress from the Canadian brand Judith and Charles with black pumps.
She wore a casual Reformation dress during a visit to Australia in 2018.![]()
Markle and Prince Harry during a 2018 royal visit to Australia.
Chris Jackson/Getty Images
The dress had spaghetti straps and a thigh-high slit.
During a visit to New Zealand in 2018, Meghan wore a pleated Givenchy skirt that appeared to be see-through in some photos.![]()
Meghan Markle during a 2018 walkabout in New Zealand.
Samir Hussein/Getty Images
As Business Insider previously reported, it's possible that the skirt's material and pleated design just created the illusion that Meghan's legs were visible underneath.
In 2018, Queen Letizia wore a dress with lace detailing to a concert celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Spanish Constitution.![]()
Queen Letizia and King Felipe VI attend a 2018 concert to to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Spanish Constitution.
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The dress was designed with a plunging neckline and a neutral lining underneath.
Kate wore an off-the-shoulder dress for the "Top Gun: Maverick" Royal Film Performance in May 2022.![]()
Kate Middleton attends the "Top Gun: Maverick" Royal Film Performance in May 2022.
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Roland Mouret designed her black-and-white gown, which had an off-the-shoulder neckline and hugged her figure.
Meghan wore a bright-red dress from Carolina Herrera to the Salute to Freedom Gala in November 2021.![]()
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle attend the Salute to Freedom Gala in November 2021.
Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images
The halter gown featured a plunging neckline and a thigh-high slit on the ball gown skirt.
In June 2022, Princess Beatrice stood out in a light-green gown with a V-neckline at a fundraising event.![]()
Princess Beatrice attends "The Alchemist's Feast" summer party and fundraiser in June 2022.
David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images for The National Gallery
The gown, designed by Markarian, had a black belt, and Beatrice accessorized with a simple white clutch.
Kate rewore a one-shoulder Alexander McQueen dress to the 2023 BAFTAs.![]()
Prince William and Kate Middleton attend the BAFTA Awards in February 2023.
CHRIS JACKSON/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
Kate first wore the dress to the 2019 BAFTAs, but she revamped the white ball gown for the 2023 awards.
At the 2022 Earthshot Prize ceremony, Kate walked the green carpet in a rented Solace London dress.![]()
Kate Middleton attends The Earthshot Prize in December 2022.
Karwai Tang/WireImage/Getty Images
The borrowed dress was bright green and form-fitting.
The gown's off-the-shoulder neckline and subtle slit in the back of the skirt gave it a daring edge.
Princess Charlene of Monaco wore a one-shoulder top to a pre-coronation event at Buckingham Palace in May 2023.![]()
Prince Albert II of Monaco and Princess Charlene of Monaco attend a coronation reception at Buckingham Palace in May 2023.
Samir Hussein/WireImage/Getty Images
The princess' periwinkle top was asymmetrical, flowing to the floor on one side.
A subtle, floral pattern trimmed the shirt, separating it from the coordinating pants she paired with it.
Meghan's Johanna Ortiz dress for the May 2023 Ms. Foundation Women of Vision Awards had a subtle cutout on the bodice.![]()
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle attend the Ms. Foundation Women of Vision Awards in May 2023.
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images
The midi-length, gold dress was strapless, and it had a triangular cutout in the center of the bodice.
Beatrice's light-blue dress from Self-Portrait for the October 2023 Art of Wishes Gala appeared to be sheer.![]()
Princess Beatrice attends the Art of Wishes Gala in October 2023.
Karwai Tang/WireImage/Getty Images
The high-neck garment's blue lace sat atop tan fabric, creating the illusion that Beatrice's skin was visible beneath the fabric. A ruffled hem added to the look's feminine feel.
Meghan rocked an off-the-shoulder Altuzarra jumpsuit at a summit hosted by The Archewell Foundation in October 2023.![]()
Meghan Markle speaks at The Archewell Foundation Parents’ Summit: Mental Wellness in the Digital Age in October 2023.
Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for Project Healthy Minds
The white jumpsuit sat off of Meghan's shoulders, while the pants were wide-legged.
A month later, she attended the Variety Power of Women event in a one-shoulder Proenza Schouler dress.![]()
Meghan Markle attends the Variety Power of Women event in November 2023.
Michael Buckner/Variety via Getty Images
The taupe dress also featured slits on the floor-length skirt.
In November 2023, Eugenie attended The Anti Slavery Collective's inaugural Winter Gala in a Peter Pilotto dress.![]()
Princess Eugenie attends The Anti Slavery Collective's inaugural Winter Gala in November 2023.
Dave Benett/Getty Images for The Anti Slavery Collective
The black dress was elegant thanks to its Sabrina neckline and long sleeves, but a slit with gold button detailing above it added drama to the look.
Meghan wore another cutout dress to the Royal Salute Polo Challenge in April.![]()
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry attend the Royal Salute Polo Challenge in April 2024.
Yaroslav Sabitov/PA Images via Getty Images
The white Heidi Merrick dress had a halter neckline that tied in an oversized bow and created a triangular cutout on the bodice.
A tiered skirt softened the look.
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