How the Royals have nailed wedding guest style for decades, in pictures

A wedding naturally presents some sartorial challenges - you can't upstaging the bride, plus you need comfortable shoes, and a cover-up that won't ruin your outfit. But when you're a member of the British Royal family, there are additional requirements to consider.

With cameras following your every move, opting for outfits that you can at once stand out in, and blend in to the guest crowd, is no mean feat.

Over the years, Royal family members from the late Princesses Margaret and Diana, to the Duchesses Kate and Meghan, as well as Her Majesty the Queen herself, have sported many a stylish wedding guest look.

With weddings back on the cards as lockdown eases, there’s never been a better time to take a trip down memory lane. Take a look back at 28 times the Royal family got wedding guest dressing right - and discover dressing inspiration for all ages.

Wear your good jewellery

For her brother Prince Charles's 2005 wedding to Camilla Parker Bowles, Princess Anne cut a striking figure in a turquoise coat and coordinating headpiece, opting for sleek black accessories, pearl earrings and a stunning brooch.

Use accessories to elevate your outfit

Without her pretty pearl drop earrings, or her white heels and clutch punctuating her look, the late Princess Diana's sailor dress might have felt too casual for a wedding ceremony. She elevated her look with accessories for the wedding of her former flatmate Carolyn Pride in 1982.

Blue is always a chic option

Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie both sisters opted for shades of blue at Prince Harry's 2018 wedding to Meghan Markle. Eugenie chose a powder blue mini dress and coordinating hat, and Princess Beatrice opted for an embellished teal midi dress.

Don't forget your sunglasses

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex attended the August wedding of Charlie van Straubenzee and Daisy Jenks in Surrey in 2018. Meghan opted for a pleated midi dress and towering court heels, being sure to pair her look with sunglasses and a chic box clutch.

Don't be afraid to wear black

Shortly before their own nuptials took place, Prince William and Kate Middleton attended the wedding ceremony of Harry Meade and Rosie Bradford in 2010. Kate opted for bold tones, pairing a cobalt skater dress with a sharp black blazer and coordinating hat and heels.

Keep your silhouette simple

Sophie, Countess of Wessex's minimal silhouette serves as a lesson in looking stylish without wearing a floaty maxi dress or voluminous jacket. She paired her lilac dress and jacket with black accessories for the 2015 London wedding of Samantha Shaw and David Keswick.

More is more

The late Princess Margaret knew a thing or two about accessorising and this textured patent bag, bow hat and striking purple coat are testament to that. She wore the look for a wedding at Westminster Abbey in 1962.

Jewel tones shouldn't be overlooked

As mother and sister of the bride, Sarah Ferguson and Princess Beatrice of York knew all eyes would be on them as they arrived for Princess Eugenie's wedding at St. George's chapel in 2018. They both opted for jewel-toned figure-flattering outfits, matching their outfits to their headwear.

Don't forget your coat

For the chilly February nuptials of Lady Anne Spencer and Lieutenant Christopher Wake-Walker in 1944, Princess Elizabeth (right) and Princess Margaret wisely chose wool coats and warm hats.

A tonal look is a polished option

The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall attended the wedding of Laura Parker Bowles and Harry Lopes in Wiltshire, and Camilla opted for a tonal look for the occasion. She teamed her pleated coat with a dress and heels in the same shade.

Neutrals can work for weddings

Bright colour or bold prints are often commonplace at weddings, but they aren't the only options. For the religious ceremony of the royal wedding of Prince Albert II of Monaco to Princess Charlene, Sophie Wessex opted for a matchy taupe look, making the case for neutral hues.

A simple look can be effective

Princess Eugenie arrived for the wedding of Pippa Middleton and James Matthews at St Mark's Church in 2017. She opted for a simple navy skater dress that feature cut-outs to the shoulders.

Colourblocking looks striking

The late Prince Philip, Prince Harry, the Duchess of Sussex, Prince William, and the Duchess of Cambridge attended the wedding of Princess Eugenie of York and Jack Brooksbank in October, 2018. Note that both Meghan and Kate each picked a single hue and wore it from head-to-toe.

Stick to your signature look

The Queen has long stuck to her signature look - and the wedding of Lady Gabriella Windsor and Thomas Kingston was another chance to showcase it. She paired her magenta tweed jacket with a matching hat and her trusty black Launer handbag.

The hat can be most important

The late Princess Diana attended the wedding of Harry Herbert in Berkshire in 1992. Diana's striking coordinating hat and jacket were paired with a velvet skirt and sheer tights.

Try a high-low ensemble

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex attended the wedding of Celia McCorquodale (Princess Diana's niece) in Lincolnshire in June 2018. Meghan opted for a pale blue and white floral dress by Oscar de la Renta, pairing it with a fascinator from M&S.

It's good to coordinate

Princess Beatrice, Sarah Ferguson and Princess Eugenie attended the wedding of Louis Buckworth and Chloe Delevingne in Knightsbridge in 2007. Note the common elements of their looks: dark heels (ideal for walking on grass), luxe mini bags and outrè headwear.

Suit your shades to the season

Princess Anne made the case for dressing for the season in her summer-ready cream look with sunshine yellow accents. The outfit was ideal for the July wedding of Lady Rose Windsor and George Gilman at The Queen's Chapel in 2008.

A lesson in grown-up pink

Queen Elizabeth II attended the wedding of Norton Knatchbull, grandson of Earl Mountbatten, and Penelope Eastwood, at Romsey Abbey in 1979, wearing a fuchsia dress coat for the occasion. She paired it with slick black accessories for an edgier take.

How to do sheer stylishly

Princess Beatrice arrived at the wedding of Lady Gabriella Windsor and Thomas Kingston in May 2019 alongside her partner, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi. The Princess cut a stylish figure in a navy lace midi dress, an ivory fascinator and blush heels.

Why not try a smart/casual ensemble

For the Prince of Wales and Camilla Parker Bowles' nuptials, Zara Phillips - daughter of the Princess Royal - wore a printed knee-length dress for the occasion. Typically, black accessories or separates aren't commonplace at weddings, but Phillips opted for knee-high boots, a leather bag and a trilby in the colour.

Espadrilles are a chic summer wedding choice

Lady Amelia Windsor - a third cousin of Her Majesty The Queen - attended the wedding of Lady Gabriella Windsor and Mr Thomas Kingston in 2019. She opted for failsafe summer wedding guest staples: comfortable wedged espadrilles and a long-sleeved printed dress.

A three-piece suit is a great dress alternative

Queen Elizabeth and her cousin-in-law Angus Ogilvy opted for three-piece suits to attend the wedding of his son James Ogilvy and Julia Rawlinson in 1988. The Queen's printed yellow option consisted of a tailored jacket, a top and a plated midi skirt in the coordinating fabric.

Statement millinery is key

Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie of York attended the royal wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton in 2011. Much like many of the guests, the sisters opted for statement hats and towering heels. Princess Eugenie opted for a striking turquoise look, while older sister Princess Beatrice opted for a soft pink hue.

A fashionable and functional look

For her sister Pippa Middleton's 2017 wedding, the Duchess of Cambridge was on bridesmaid and pageboy supervision duty. She wore a blush midi dress by Alexander McQueen and a coordinating hat by Jane Taylor.

An evening ceremony requires extra thought

The Countess Of Wessex cut a glamorous figure for the wedding of Crown Prince Haakon of Norway and Mette-Marit in Oslo back in 2001. She wore a cobalt satin gown with evening gloves and a smattering of diamonds.

Feathers are fun

Lady Gabriella Windsor and Thomas Kingston were married in May 2019 at St. George's Chapel, and Prince Harry was in attendance. He arrived alongside Lady Frederick Windsor - the wife of the Queen's cousin, Prince Michael of Kent - who wisely sported a statement feather jacket. It will keep her warm, and makes - rather than hides - her outfit.

Satin gloves are timeless

Our final picture is Princess Margaret, bidding farewell to onlookers and guests after she attended the wedding of the Duke of Kent to Katharine Worsley in 1961. Her oversized hat, bold lipstick and classic drop earrings make for a perfect top-half dressing look.

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