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Royal Style Watch: from Meghan Markle's bold red gown to Duchess Sophie's garden party chic

Princess Anne and Queen Mary reign supreme among the royal style set in May 2024

Katie Daly
Lifestyle Writer
Updated: 8 May 2024
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May is shaping up to be an incredible month of royal style - and an incredible insight into the summer we have ahead of us when it comes to regal fashion.

The month has started off strong with the Royal Horse Show which not only kept us entertained with the impeccable sartorial accomplishments of Duchess Sophie, Princess Anne, and Zara Tindall but also marked a return to public events for Lady Louise Windsor who has kept busy all year with her university commitments.

Meanwhile, venture into Europe and you'll find an incredible array of stylish royals. Princess Charlene has worn several pairs of skinny jeans, effortlessly nailing daytime chic. There have also been several state banquets involving the royals of Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. 

Meghan Markle has remained on our radar and for good reason. The Duchess of Sussex stunned in an array of glorious outfits during her trip to Nigeria with Prince Harry last week. She mixed neutrals with bold bright colours seamlessly and became a source of inspiration for those looking to nail a pristine updo.

Over in London, King Charles hosted a garden party at Buckingham Palace meaning an opportunity for his wife Queen Camilla, sister Princess Anne, and sister-in-law Duchess Sophie to pull the finest pieces from their wardrobes including the best headwear.

Who's been on our Royal Style Watch this May? Keep scrolling to find out which of the royal set delivered in the style stakes.

1/18

Princess Anne in fitted flares and hard hat© Shutterstock

Princess Anne

Princess Anne looked so modern when she visited the HMS Victory Conservation Project at HM Naval Base in Portsmouth.

The Princess opted for a pair of fitted textured flares to go with her coordinating asymmetrical jacket. She also wore a patterned shirt underneath and a pair of patent loafers.

2/18

Queen Letizia of Spain wears Mango to attend the World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day commemoration event at Auditorio-Palacio de Congresos Príncipe Felipe© Shutterstock

Queen Letizia

Queen Letizia of Spain was so elegant in this Mango tweed cropped jacket at an event to mark World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day. 

The royal paired her waist-accentuating jacket with a pair of full-length white culottes and the 'Geo Court III Trainers' in Bright White from Vivo Barefoot.

3/18

Queen Mary wearing lavender gown and pearl poire tiara© dana/Shutterstock

Queen Mary

Queen Mary of Denmark has worn an array of fabulous outfits during her trip to Norway this week. Topping them all was this incredible lavender Birgit Hallstein gown.

The Queen previously wore the garment in 2015 and added a chiffon layer over the decolletage to give it a new lease of life. She paired the dress with a pair of Manolo Blahnik heels and the Pearl Poire tiara.

4/18

Princess Anne, Prince Edward and Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh attend a Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace© JORDAN PETTITT

Duchess Sophie

Duchess Sophie too attended the Buckingham Palace garden party in a soft salmon pink wrap dress from Suzannah London with a cinched waistline and a floaty skirt.

She paired the dress with a pleated hat by Jane Taylor and carried a pearl-adorned clutch. Completing the look was a pair of rhinestone-encrusted heels.

5/18

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex speaks at a Women in Leadership event co-hosted with Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala on May 11, 2024 in Abuja, Nigeria. (Photo by Andrew Esiebo/Getty Images for The Archewell Foundation)© Andrew Esiebo

Meghan Markle

Meghan Meghan styled up a storm during her trip to Nigeria. One of her many incredible outfits was this pop of red worn to speak at a Women in Leadership event co-hosted with Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala in Abuja.

The Duchess of Sussex wowed in a ruby red ruffle-hemmed dress from Oríré which was teamed with nude strappy heels from Aquazzura and a slicked low bun.

6/18

Queen Camilla wore her two-tone Chanel pumps to the first Royal Garden Party of the season at Buckingham Palace © Getty

Queen Camilla

Queen Camilla wowed at King Charles' garden party at Buckingham Palace. She rocked a white Fiona Clare dress with black piping down the front to match her black and white pleated Philip Treacy hat. 

The Queen also wore capped-toe heels from Chanel and pinned the The Cullinan V Brooch to her front.

7/18

Class Affair and Zara Tindall during the first horse inspection on day one of the Badminton Horse Trials 2024© Getty

Zara Tindall

Zara Tindall dazzled in white jeans when she she attended the Badminton Horse Trials on 8 May. The royal wore the skinnies with a white tee and white trainers from Fairfax & Favor.

Adding a touch of formality to the look was her navy pinstripe blazer from Veronica Beard which had the sleeves rolled to the elbow.

8/18

Queen Letizia in a white suit look with lacy cami© Getty

Queen Letizia

The Queen of Spain looked as chic as ever when she wore white trainers from Vivobarefoot to the El Barco De Vapor and Gran Angular Youth Literature Awards in Madrid. Letizia has been suffering from chronic metatarsalgia, according to Spanish outlet El Mundo.

The royal, 51, wowed in a Victoria Beckham cream single-breasted suit with a cream lacy camisole underneath. Her brunette bob was styled sleek and straight and she wore a pair of statement diamanté earrings. 

9/18

Princess Gabriella and Prince Jacques looked so stylish in leather jackets© Getty

Princess Charlene

Princess Charlene of Monaco looked next-level when she attended the 2024 Monaco E-Prix at Circuit de Monaco.

The royal, 46, was spotted with her husband Prince Albert, and two children Princess Gabriella and Prince Jacques wearing a pair of cream wide-leg cargo trousers from Louis Vuitton with a black cropped jacket also from the French fashion brand. Completing the look were her LV 'Heartbreaker' pumps.

10/18

Princess Beatrice in a khaki jacket and black skirt© Getty

Princess Beatrice

Princess Beatrice jetted off to New York City to light the Empire State Building in partnership with Outward Bound.

The Princess, 35, rocked a Maje khaki green waist-accentuating jacket with gold utility buttons down the front and on the pockets. The 'Guesna' jacket was worn with the sleeves rolled up and styled with a black slinky satin skirt.

11/18

queen mary and queen silvia in ballgowns and tiaras© Getty

Queen Mary

Queen Mary of Denmark wowed at a state banquet hosted by  King Carl XVI Gustaf and his wife Queen Silvia at Stockholm Palace. She combined a beige silk skirt from Jesper Hovring's 2017 collection with a sheer top with burgundy beading from his Fall 2018 collection.

The royal also wore the Ruby Parure tiara, earrings, necklace, brooch, and bracelet. The dazzling 200-year-old tiara features glittering leaves and berries. 

12/18

Crown Princess Victoria and Crown Prince Daniel at banquet© Getty

Crown Princess Victoria

Crown Princess Victoria, 46, also attended the Danish state banquet alongside her husband Prince Daniel. The royal wowed in an icy blue gown from Christer Lindarw which featured intricate glistening beading and was styled with the 'Plexiglass Translucent Aristrographic Box Clutch' from Gucci.

The star of the show was her Connaught Diamond Tiara which perfectly complemented her diamond drop earrings which are part of the parure of jewels that coordinated with the Braganza Tiara, heirlooms from Empress Amélie of Brazil's collection.

13/18

Queen Sonja, Crown Prince Haakon, Crown Princess Mette-Marit, State banquet as part of the Moldovan President's state visit to Norway© Shutterstock

Crown Princess Mette-Marit

Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway also attended a state banquet this week. The future Queen dazzled in the 'Floral Print Embellished Gown' in pink from Carolina Herrera's 2018 Collection. 

The cinched dress with puffed sleeves was teamed with the 'Lee Pouchet Small Clutch in Metallic Rose Crushed Velvet' from Tyler Ellis and the 'Brenda Pink Leather Pumps' from Malone Soulliers. 

The star of the show was the Norwegian Amethyst Parure featuring the sparkling tiara, earrings, brooch, and ring.

14/18

Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh and Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh attend day 4 of the 2024 Royal Windsor Horse Show© Getty

Duchess Sophie

Duchess Sophie stunned throughout the first week of May at the Royal Horse Show. Completing her catalogue of Horse Show looks was this biker jacket, the 'Tawnie Biker Cognac Suede Jacket' from Paige. 

The royal, 59, styled the suede jacket with the unexpected 'Victoria V-Neck Long Sleeve Stretch Corduroy Dress in Atlantic Blue' from Aspiga and her 'Oskan Moon Stud-Embellished Leather Shoulder Bag in Cognac' from Isabel Marant.

15/18

lady louise taking part in carriage driving event © Getty Images

Lady Louise

Lady Louise Windsor made a major comeback at the Royal Horse Show. The 20-year-old royal hasn't been spotted since the 2023 Christmas Day service at Sandringham so all eyes were on her. 

She shared the sweetest embrace with her mother Duchess Sophie wearing a pair of apt jodhpurs and welly boots. Louise later channeled her mother wearing a Hermes silk twilly scarf in her hair, much akin to the piece worn by her mother just days prior.

16/18

 Zara Tindall wearing a grey suit at the Royal Windsor Horse Show

Zara Tindall

Zara Tindall was also spotted at the Royal Horse Show in Windsor Home Park greeting her uncle King Charles. The royal, 42, wore a chic low ponytail to reveal a pair of gold hoop earrings. 

Her look was a pared-back outfit featuring a single-breasted jacket, the 'Jordan Wool Oversized Blazer in Charcoal Navy Black Check' from Cefinn, alongside the matching 'Terence' wide-leg trousers. 

Accessorising Zara's outfit was the 'Lottie Navy Quilted Kaviar Bag' from Aspinal of London and a pair of suede boots.

17/18

Princess Anne in chevron skirt suit© Shutterstock

Princess Anne

Zara Tindall's mother Princess Anne was also in attendance. She looked immaculate in a sage green green chevron print jacket with a matching pleated knee-grazing skirt. 

The Princess broke up the grey two-piece with a turquoise silky shirt which was tied around her neck and popped on a pair of knee-high suede boots to match her black handbag and gloves. 

18/18

Princess Olympia wearing leg-lengthening flares with group of friends© Instagram

Princess Olympia

Princess Olympia of Greece partied the night away at Lola Bute's 25th birthday party alongside Poppy Delevigne and Sienna Miller.

To enjoy an evening of frivolous fun, the American-born princess wore a pair of black split-leg flares with cobalt piping and a matching top. She accentuated the leg-lengthening effects of the look with a pair of patent black slingback heels. Her old money bob added to the luxe feel.

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