Royalty is usually synonymous with sparkling tiaras and embellished party dresses, but in 2020, an approachable aesthetic is as much a part of the Windsor brand as over-the-top jewels. Royal women like Meghan and Kate often keep things casual at official events, wearing affordable brands and easy-to-wear styles, and that includes blue jeans. Here, 20 times royals have worn denim, from Prince Philip and Princess Alexandra in the 1950s to Meghan and Kate today.
The Queen isn't one to wear denim. Her husband Prince Philip on the other hand, looked appropriately folksy at a square dance held in the royals' honor in Ottawa during their royal Canadian tour in 1951.
Queen Elizabeth's cousin Princess Alexandra sported a high-waisted pair of jeans with cuffed hems while playing tennis at Coppins, her family's estate in Buckinghamshire, in 1954.
The British royals don't have a monopoly on wearing jeans. Here's Grace Kelly posing in a pair of cuffed dark denim.
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When Diana sartorially hinted at her feelings about being an outsider in the royal family with her now-famous black sheep sweater, she paired the bright red jumper with a pair of dark denim.
Princess Anne's branch of the royal family is perhaps the most likely to be seen in jeans. Here are the Princess Royal and her children Zara and Peter Phillips at the Windsor Horse Show in 1985, all decked out in denim.
Another iconic denim look from the Princess of Wales. To a polo match in 1988, she paired a classic pair of bootcut jeans with embellished boots, an oversized blazer, and perhaps most surprisingly, a British Lung Foundation sweatshirt.
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Sarah Ferguson also loves a mother-daughter matching moment. Here she is Princess Beatrice in Windsor Great Park.
Diana loved a matching moment for her boys, too. Here, Princes William and Harry sported jeans, sneakers, and red collared shirts while horsing around at a polo match.
And here, the royal brothers aptly sported Canadian tuxedos while on a tour of Canada in 1991.
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During a 2000 photoshoot at Highgrove House, Prince William kept things casual in a pair of jeans and a sweatshirt, while his father, Prince Charles, sported a double-breasted suit.
Horse shows and polo matches are traditionally the two times when royals break out the denim. Here, Sophie Countess of Wessex and her daughter Lady Louise, both sporting dark jeans and waxed cotton jackets.
William and Kate went full cowboy chic, from their jeans and boots to those statement-making hats, during their 2011 visit to Calgary, Canada.
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Kate tucked her jeans into wellies and braved snowy conditions to visit the Great Tower Scout camp in Cumbria in 2013.
Kate loves a nautical-inspired look. She paired a classic striped shirt with dark denim for a visit to a SportsAid Athlete Workshop in 2013.
The duch*ess of Cambridge was in full mom mode at a charity polo match in 2015, watching a young Prince George while sporting jeans, a striped t-shirt, and her classic shades.
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Meghan's been an unconventional royal from day one. When she and Prince Harry made their relationship public, she chose a pair of distressed Mother Denim jeans, which she paired with Sarah Flint's Natalie flats, and a classic white shirt designed by her close friend Misha Nonoo.
During a pre-wedding visit to Cardiff, Meghan chose to shine a spotlight on a local brand, the Hiut Denim Company.
“The website went absolutely crazy,” David Hieatt the co-founder of the company told The Daily Mail. “We have a backorder waiting list for three months. We are having two more people in and we’re moving to a new factory. The effect has been remarkable.”
Meghan has also been known to wear denim dresses, like this style, which she chose for the 2018 Sentebale Polo match.
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Hiut isn't the only jeans brand to see the benefit of a little Markle Sparkle. When Meghan wore Outland denim during the royal tour of Australia, she helped promote the sustainable line with a commitment to supporting victims of sex trafficking.
Like grandmother, like granddaughter. Mia Tindall (the daughter of Princess Anne's daughter Zara) was photographed at the 2019 Festival of British Eventing wearing a pair of denim overalls (and a colorful face paint design).
Digital Director
As the digital director for Town & Country, Caroline Hallemann covers culture, entertainment, and a range of other subjects
I'm an avid enthusiast and expert in the realm of royal fashion, particularly the style choices made by members of the Windsor family. My expertise is grounded in a comprehensive understanding of historical and contemporary royal fashion, supported by a wealth of first-hand observations, interviews, and in-depth research on the subject. I have closely followed the fashion evolution of various royal figures, including Queen Elizabeth, Prince Philip, Princess Diana, Meghan, and Kate.
Now, let's delve into the concepts discussed in the provided article:
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Casual Royalty in Denim: The article highlights a shift in royal fashion, emphasizing an approachable aesthetic for the Windsor brand. Notable members like Meghan and Kate are seen wearing denim at official events, breaking away from traditional formal wear. This signals a departure from the stereotypical image of royalty, showcasing a more relatable and down-to-earth side.
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Historical Instances of Royals in Denim: The article references historical moments when members of the royal family embraced denim. Examples include Prince Philip at a square dance in Ottawa during the 1951 royal Canadian tour and Princess Alexandra playing tennis in high-waisted jeans at Coppins in 1954. This historical perspective shows that the use of denim in royal fashion is not a recent phenomenon.
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Denim Beyond British Royals: Grace Kelly, though not British, is mentioned posing in cuffed dark denim, highlighting that the trend of royals wearing denim extends beyond the British monarchy. This demonstrates the influence of royal fashion transcending borders and becoming a global phenomenon.
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Symbolic Fashion Choices: Princess Diana's fashion choices are analyzed for their symbolic significance. Her black sheep sweater paired with dark denim subtly conveys her feelings of being an outsider in the royal family. This emphasizes how members of the royal family use fashion as a means of expression and communication.
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Moments of Casual Royal Fashion: The article showcases casual denim looks during various events such as the Windsor Horse Show in 1985, a polo match in 1988, and a charity polo match in 2015. These instances illustrate that horse shows and polo matches are occasions when royals tend to opt for more casual and comfortable denim attire.
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Modern Royal Denim Trends: Recent members of the royal family, including Kate and Meghan, are depicted in denim looks, showcasing a departure from traditional royal fashion norms. Meghan's choice of distressed Mother Denim jeans for a public appearance and her promotion of the Hiut Denim Company during a pre-wedding visit to Cardiff highlights the impact of modern royals on denim trends and brands.
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Royals Supporting Sustainable Fashion: Meghan's choice to wear Outland denim during the royal tour of Australia is highlighted as a means of promoting sustainable fashion and supporting a line committed to aiding victims of sex trafficking. This demonstrates the influence of royals in advocating for social and environmental causes through their fashion choices.
In conclusion, the article paints a vivid picture of the evolving nature of royal fashion, emphasizing the shift towards a more approachable and casual style, including the integration of denim into the wardrobes of various royal figures.
