In need of style inspiration for Christmas and New Year's Eve? Nothing says glamour like velvet! An opulent choice loved by the royals, over the years we've seen the likes of Princess Diana, The Duchess of Cambridge, The Duchess of Sussex and more turning to the timeless and decadent trend. From red carpet gowns to colourful co-ords and luxe tailored coats, we've rounded up our favourite velvet looks worn by our favourite royal ladies.
The Duchess of Cambridge
Joined by husband Prince William and brother-in-law Prince Harry, the Duchess of Cambridge looked stunning in a strapless black velvet gown from Alexander McQueen. She donned the timeless style to attend an awards ceremony at the Imperial War Museum in December 2011.
READ: Zara Tindall's best royal fashion moments – from bold mini dresses to statement hats
While in Sweden on a royal tour in January 2018, Duchess Kate wore a blue devoré velvet dress from Erdem. The sweet mid-length dress featured bell sleeves and had been shown on the catwalk during the brand's fall-winter 2017-18 presentation at London Fashion Week.
READ: 21 Christmas gift ideas for people who really love the royal family
While awaiting the arrival of Prince Louis in 2017, Kate stepped out at the annual Royal Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall in London. Dressed to impress in the perfect cold-weather evening look, she opted for a black velvet Catherine Walker coat complete with glittering Swarovski buttons.
The Duchess of Sussex
Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy was the designer of choice for Meghan's look when she arrived at the Royal Academy of Arts in 2018. She was there to open Oceania, the first-ever major survey of Oceanic art to be held in the United Kingdom.
Princess Charlene of Monaco
In 1963, singer Bobby Vinton crooned 'She wore blue velvet...' and the song gained new life with David Lynch's film of the same name in 1986. Decades later blue velvet still has an irresistible allure. Need proof? Princess Charlene wore a floor-sweeping blue velvet gown for the annual Monaco Against Autism gala at the Monte-Carlo Sporting Club in November 2013.
During Monaco National Day in November 2017, the royal donned a bespoke coat in cobalt blue velvet by one of her favourite labels, Akris. She finished off the look with a wide-brimmed hat and dark blue shoes and leather gloves.
Princess Diana of Wales
One of Diana's most iconic looks is this velvet number by Victor Edelstein, which the royal donned for a trip to Germany in 1987. The gown is known as 'The Travolta dress' because Diana also wore it when she famously took to the dance floor with the Saturday Night Fever star at a White House party in 1985.
Princess Diana wore this burgundy silk-velvet evening dress, with its embroidered tail coat, to the premiere of the film Steel Magnolias in Leicester Square in 1990, and then again on a state visit to South Korea in 1992. The simple column dress has a slit at the back and she teamed it with accessories in a similar hue.
Duchess Kate has inspired comparisons to her late mother-in-law Princess Diana, who loved to slip into velvet gowns. Here's a throwback to Prince William's mom wearing a Victor Edelstein gown with gem buttons at the premiere of Dangerous Liaisons in 1989.
Kitty Spencer
For a festive dinner with Ralph Lauren, Princess Diana's niece Kitty Spencer opted for a crush velvet wrap dress with a plunging neckline.
Queen Letizia of Spain
Queen Letizia of Spain wore this burgundy velvet Felipe Varela dress in 2017. The royal was attending the World Cancer Leaders' Summit during her visit to Mexico City.
Princess Beatrice
Princess Beatrice demonstrated how you can also let velvet accessories do the talking – and walking! Queen Elizabeth's granddaughter wore cool purple velvet zip-front boots to WE Day New York at Radio City Music Hall in April 2017.
Charlotte Casiraghi
If you need evidence that velvet is truly timeless, check out Charlotte Casiraghi's look for the 2017 Monaco Rose Ball. The velvet and sheer Chanel was a borrowed look from her mom Princess Caroline, who wore the dress way back in 2000.
Queen Maxima of the Netherlands
Here's a great way to add texture to a simple skirt. Queen Maxima of the Netherlands was standing tall in stilettos and a pencil skirt for an evening at the ballet with Argentina's President Mauricio Macri and his wife Juliana Awada in March 2017 in The Hague. What makes the outfit, though, is the royal's velvet top combined with sparkling jewels.
Princess Deena Aljuhani Abdulaziz
Saudi Arabian Princess Deena Aljuhani Abdulaziz certainly made a statement when she attended the 2017 Rose Ball. The former Vogue Arabia Editor-In-Chief turned heads in a pink velvet cape and silk gown.