C‘is who spends weeks looking the perfect outfit for a wedding guest and those who, more simply, look at the Royal wardrobe. After all, for decades princesses, duchesses and aristocrats have been participating in high-ranking weddings and ceremonies showing off impeccable, sophisticated and (almost) always perfectly calibrated looks for the occasion. Here’s why Royal weddings still remain one of the most reliable sources of inspiration today for undecided friends, sisters, mothers, relatives: just choose the right trend and copy it.
From the retro polka dots sported by Infanta Elena at Theodora of Greece’s wedding in 2024, to Kate Middleton’s Alexander McQueen cyclamen dress for Eugenie of York’s wedding in 2018, up to Queen Letizia Ortiz’s original lace coat for the reception of Prince Guillaume and Princess Stephanie of Luxembourg in 2012: here all the most visible looks at the royal wedding yesterday and today which always work, and represent the lifeline for those who today find themselves struggling with the difficult choice of the ideal guest outfit.
Wedding guest outfits, Royal ideas to inspire you
Even without special invitations to Buckingham Palace or princely receptions, the wedding dress code can still have a regal allure. Because despite tiaras, protocols and spectacular hats, Royal guests continue to be an infallible reference when it comes to ceremonial elegance. The secret? Aim for sophisticated colors, timeless patterns and refined silhouettes that work well beyond the gates of a building.
The colors for the guest dress according to the Royals
When it comes to nuances, the queens of style have no doubts. Going back in the numerous photo albums of the royal weddings, the ones above all appear pastel shades. And in particular the nuances of lilacdel mint green and of baby blue They seem like their all-time favorites. Any examples? Impossible to forget the dress of Sofia of Sweden at Princess Madeleine’s wedding in 2013 in lavender, with a soft neckline (designed Thalia).
At Princess Madeleine’s wedding in 2013 Sofia of Sweden in a long lavender dress with a soft neckline by Thalia. To give light to the guest’s outfit, a pair of gold earrings created by Maria Nilsdotter. (Getty Images)
At Harry and Meghan’s wedding in Windsor in 2018 Eugenie of York opt for a custom made 1950s mini dress by Gainsbourg in a delicate shade of blue. The most regal, Isabella Borromeo at the wedding of her daughter Beatrice with Pierre Casiraghi in 2015, in a long milk and mint dress by Giorgio Armani Privé, created especially for her.
Prints, styles, models: Royal inspirations
If there is a royal wedding that gave many ideas in terms of guest outfits, it was undoubtedly that of the Italian-Monegasque couple celebrated at the Rocca di Angera over ten years ago. Among all, it also stands out Charlotte Casiraghiwith a long tree-print Gucci dress adorned with ruffles. The idea is clear: floral print and ruffles are perfect for a guest outfit to remember. To dare even more the groom’s mother, Caroline of Monacoin a degradé look by Chanel (Spring 2015 Couture) composed of a dress with straps entirely covered in blue sequins and a decorated tulle skirt in shades of light pink, perfect to copy for an evening ceremony.
In 2015, for the wedding party of her brother Pierre and Beatrice Borromeo, Charlotte Casiraghi opted for a long floral-print Gucci dress adorned with ruffles, combined with a sandal with a comfortable heel. (GC Images)
THE moderate shimmers reflect the colors of the sunset. And during the day they are replaced by polka dot print with white dots on a blue background, the color combination most loved by the Royals, as demonstrated by theInfanta Elena of Bourbon-Spain at the wedding of Theodora of Greece in 2024.
The most original guest outfits, from Queen Rania to Letizia Ortiz
Long dress, knee-length shirtdress, sheath dress. But when the Royals want to amaze as guests, the outfit abandon the classic formal dress-sized outfit and dare a little more. A sophisticated two-piece combination, for example: like the one sported by Rania of Jordan at the wedding of Letizia and Felipe of Spain in 2004. Shirt and skirtthe first white and silk, the second in lace and maxi, with a pink hue (all Givenchy).
The shirt was white and silk, the pink-hued skirt was made of lace and maxi for the queen of style Rania di Giordania in Givenchy at the wedding of Letizia and Felipe di Spagna in 2004. (WireImage)
For her part, Queen Letizia chooses a overcoat embellished with pink macramé work by Felipe Varela. The occasion, the wedding of Prince Guillaume and Princess Stephanie of Luxembourg in 2012.
A piece so original that it alone makes the outfitworn over a simple tone-on-tone sheath dress, to be reused over and over again after Yes Day, just like the Queen of Spain has done in recent years. A guest outfit that is not only particular, but also intelligent and full of charm: the royal inspiration is served.