10 Times Royals Were the Best-Dressed Wedding Guests, From Princess Diana to Kate
10 Times Royals Were the Best-Dressed Wedding Guests, From Princess Diana to Kate
Bailey BujnosekThu, August 13, 2026 at 3:30 PM UTC
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Kate Middleton at the wedding of Peter Phillips and Harriet Sperling on June 6, 2026.Credit: Chris Jackson/Getty ImagesThe Gist -
Kate Middleton, Princess Diana, Meghan Markle, and other royals have given masterclasses in wedding-guest dressing.
Their styles err on the side of formality, with coat dresses and skirt suits in regular rotation.
No outfit is complete without a hat or fascinator, a traditional accessory for formal occasions in the U.K.
Picking a wedding guest look can be stressful, but Britain’s royal style stars make it look easy.
Princess Diana showed up to stun at the society soirées she attended during her royal tenure, often opting for brightly colored suit dresses or playful patterned frocks. In recent years, Kate Middleton has taken up the mantle. In the 20-plus weddings she’s attended as the Duchess of Cambridge and Princess of Wales, she’s served up a series of statement dresses, showing how to stand out without stealing the show.
It likely helps that a royal’s wardrobe is always cocktail or black-tie ready, given the number of galas, formal banquets, and red carpet events they attend each year. Meghan Markle made headlines for the glamorous black Valentino gown she wore at friend Misha Nonoo’s wedding in 2019. Kate, meanwhile, tapped Alexander McQueen—the label she wore on her own wedding day—for the blush pink dress she debuted at sister Pippa Middleton’s 2017 ‘I do’s.’
Looking for a little regal inspiration before your next RSVP? Ahead, revisit the best royal wedding guest looks of all time.
01 of 10
Pretty in Pink
Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge at Pippa Middleton’s wedding on May 20, 2017.Credit: Samir Hussein/Samir Hussein/WireImage
Kate chose a romantic blush pink Alexander McQueen dress for her sister Pippa’s 2017 wedding to hedge fund manager James Matthews, per People. The look featured pleating on the front of the skirt and tight cuffs for a polished final silhouette. Because hats are all but required at society affairs in England, Kate completed her look with a rosy topper.
02 of 10
Something Blue
Diana, Princess of Wales at the wedding of Lady Sarah Armstrong-Jones on July 14, 1994.Credit: Jayne Fincher/Princess Diana Archive/Getty Images
Navy blue, that is. Princess Diana opted for the color when she attended Princess Margaret’s daughter Lady Sarah Armstrong-Jones’s 1994 wedding to actor Daniel Chatto. She wore a skirt suit—one of her wedding guest uniforms—but changed things up by opting for a pleated, knee-length skirt. Diana elevated the look with a string of her signature pearls.
03 of 10
Off-White
Kate Middleton at Zara Phillips and Mike Tindall’s wedding on July 30, 2011.Credit: Getty Images
While wearing white to a wedding is generally considered a no-go, the royal family has a history of picking subtly off-white shades. Such was the case when Kate attended Zara Phillips’s 2011 wedding to Mike Tindall. Although her brocade coat dress appeared to be cream, photos from the big day revealed her elegant attire was actually a light gold hue. Kate rewore the same dress five years later at a garden party in Northern Ireland.
04 of 10
Monochrome Masterclass
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex at the wedding of Princess Eugenie on October 12, 2018.Credit: Gareth Fuller/AFP via Getty Images
Just months after her wedding to Prince Harry, Meghan Markle attended Princess Eugenie’s wedding. For the October affair, the Duchess of Sussex opted for a navy dress and coat by Givenchy (who designed her wedding dress). Adding a little sparkle to the muted ensemble, she opted for gold rings, a bracelet, and earrings from ethical jewelry designer Pippa Small, per Hello!.
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05 of 10
Classic Colorblocking
Diana, Princess of Wales and Prince Harry at the wedding of Lady Helen Windsor on July 18, 1992.Credit: Getty Images
Princess Diana once again showed up and out while attending the wedding of Lady Helen Windsor and Timothy Taylor in 1992. According to Newsweek, she tapped go-to designer Catherine Walker for a colorblocked skirt suit, featuring a bright mint jacket with a navy stripe around the middle. Feminine details abounded, from the gold heart symbols on the buttons to the bow on her hat.
06 of 10
Winter-Wedding Chic
Prince William and Princess Kate at the wedding of Laura Bechtolsheimer on March 2, 2013.Credit: Indigo/Getty Images
Kate Middleton, Prince William, and his brother Prince Harry had a rare destination-wedding moment in 2013, when they attended a ceremony in the Swiss Alps. They showed up to support friend Mark Tomlinson as he said ‘I do’ with Olympic equestrian Laura Bechtolsheimer. In one of her bolder guest looks, Middleton wore a fur-trim coat over a reworn Max Mara dress, per People. She paired it with a matching James Lock hat, a brown clutch, and brown suede shoes.
07 of 10
Bow On Top
Zara Tindall at the wedding of Harriet Sperling to Peter Phillips on June 6, 2026.Credit: Ben Birchall/PA Images via Getty Images
Zara Tindall has quietly remained a style star within the royal family, known for her equestrian-inspired picks and penchant for all things tailored. At the 2026 royal wedding of her brother Peter Phillips and nurse Harriet Sperling, Zara once more made a splash in a periwinkle puffed-sleeve midi dress by Rebecca Vallance, per Town & Country. The dress’s shoulder bow detail helped the ensemble pop in a sea of pastel and floral spring dresses.
08 of 10
Hat Trick
Princess Kate and Prince William at the wedding of Peter Phillips on June 06, 2026.Credit: Karwai Tang/WireImage
Rather than recycling a look, Princess Kate broke her wedding guest dressing rule at Peter Phillips and Harriet Sperling’s June 2026 ceremony. Her cream boucle dress by Roland Mouret appeared to be a never-before-seen look. People reported that she paired it with a straw hat featuring a chestnut bow for an unexpected accent.
09 of 10
Elegant Ice Blue
Sophie, Countess of Wessex at the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on May 19, 2018.Credit: Pool/Samir Hussein/WireImage
Celebrities like Amal Clooney and Victoria Beckham topped the best-dressed guest lists for Prince Harry and Meghan’s 2018 vows. Yet when it came to the royal set, it was Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh that earned the crown. Sophie arrived in an ice blue satin skirt and a gray Suzannah embroidered top, according to Hello!. Her spray-style Jane Taylor hat catapulted the look into a new stratosphere of elegance.
10 of 10
Polka Dot Party
Princess Diana at the wedding of Lady Carolyn Herbert in Hampshire, UK, July 1985.Credit: Getty Images
Diana was the princess of polka dots before it was a trend. Case in point: Her white wrap dress decorated with pink polka dots, which she wore to the July 1985 wedding of Lady Carolyn Herbert and John Warren. Once more, she reached for her pearl jewelry, donning a choker and pearl drop earrings.
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