Recycle like royalty… the thrifty queens and princesses who can’t bear to throw out a frock, even if they are not down to their last tiara

The Royal Family may have vast wealth, but they are renowned for repurposing their favourite items of clothing. 

Leading this approach, Princess Anne has recycled many of her coats, dresses, hats and handbags over the years, some of which she has owned for decades.

And Catherine, Princess of Wales, has publicly embraced this practice countless times.

Meanwhile, Princess Beatrice joined in by wearing her grandmother Queen Elizabeth’s vintage Norman Hartnell dress on her wedding day in 2020.

This trend is not limited to the UK, as many international royals are also rewearing dresses and celebrating hand-me-downs – read on to find out who.

Queen Maxima of the Netherlands 

Queen Maxima wore a recycled outfit at the Council of State, held at Palace Noordeinde in The Hague, last month.

The monarch dusted off her icy blue Valentino gown for the third time since debuting it at the 2011 wedding of Prince Albert and Princess Charlene of Monaco.

The exquisite lace design boasted a strapless, scalloped neckline and tiered skirt adorned with chiffon ruffles.

She had also selected the designer ensemble in 2021 when she accompanied her husband, Willem-Alexander, to the Konzerthaus concert hall in Berlin.

Queen Maxima has worn her Valentino gown thee times since debuting it at the 2011 wedding of Prince Albert and Princess Charlene of Monaco (left)

Catherine, Princess of Wales 

Attending the Earthshot Prize Awards in 2021, Kate revisited her fashion archives.

She recycled a lilac dress by Alexander McQueen, previously worn a decade earlier at a Bafta black-tie event in 2011.

Kate updated the graceful ensemble with an embellished belt and styled her hair in loose waves.

Kate revisited her fashion archives at the 2021 Earthshot Prize Award

Queen Mary of Denmark

Queen Mary of Denmark has proven her commitment to sustainable fashion by wearing a burgundy ball gown on five occasions, notably during the royal family’s New Year reception.

She introduced the Birgit Hallstein dress, featuring a demure boat neck and long train, at the lavish event in 2007. 

Most recently, she chose this design for the 2024 gala, teaming it with Gianvito Rossi pumps and the Ruby Parure Tiara.

The result was just as captivating as its initial appearance 17 years ago.

Queen Mary wore her Birgit Hallstein velvet dress for the 2024 New Year gala, teaming it with the Ruby Parure Tiara

Princess Beatrice  

In a heartfelt tribute to her late grandmother, Princess Beatrice wore a dress belonging to Queen Elizabeth on her wedding day. 

The exquisite Norman Hartnell creation, first worn by Her Majesty for a state dinner in Rome in 1961, was remodelled by the late Queen’s dresser, Angela Kelly, and designer, Stewart Parvin.

Beatrice accessorised with the Queen Mary Diamond Fringe Tiara, which the then Princess Elizabeth wore at her wedding to Prince Philip on November 20, 1947.

The vintage dress, made from ivory Peau De Soie taffeta, featured geometric hand-embroidered diamantés across the bodice, waist and hips. 

Angela Kelly and Stewart Parvin softened the full-skirted silhouette to create a more contemporary shape, while matching organza sleeves were carefully added to the original design.

Each alteration made to the dress was fully reversible. 

Princess Beatrice and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi were married on July 17, 2020, at Royal Lodge

Princess Anne

Princess Anne has worn her lilac coat on at least six royal engagements between 1982 and 2004.

The Princess Royal debuted the coat, with a John Boyd veiled hat, when welcoming Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands for a state visit in 1982.

A year later, she wore it for the unveiling of the Mountbatten Memorial Statue in London, followed by an appearance in 1988 to launch the submarine HMS Talent.

Anne wore the elegant coat again for the 1992 Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey and then for a fourth time on a visit to Greenwich’s Royal Naval College in 1997.

More recently, the royal reached for the A-line wool design on Christmas Day in 2001, 2004 and 2013, often pairing it with her original hat.

Queen Letizia of Spain  

Queen Letizia of Spain paid homage to her mother-in-law’s impeccable sense of style when she wore a Valentino outfit first donned by Queen Sofia in 1977.

King Felipe VI’s wife recycled the beautiful dress worn by her mother-in-law, now aged 85, during a visit to Germany 44 years ago with her husband, the disgraced King Juan Carlos, who has gone into exile in the Middle East.

The floral embroidered bodice and billowing emerald skirt were updated with a striped belt for a diplomatic reception in January 2022. 

Queen Letizia paid homage to her mother-in-law’s impeccable sense of style when she wore a Valentino outfit first donned by Queen Sofia in 1977

Queen Rania of Jordan

Queen Rania was the epitome of  elegance in an official portrait released to mark King Abdullah II of Jordan’s Silver Jubilee in June.

The Jordanian royal chose a very special simple, but striking, black dress from her wardrobe, featuring a bateau neckline and column skirt, complemented by a burgundy sash representing the Order of Al-Hussein bin Ali.

Rania wore the dress in her first official portrait taken in 1999 – and she appeared as captivating now as as she did at 29.

Queen Rania looked the epitome of grace in an official portrait marking King Abdullah II of Jordan’s Silver Jubilee. Rania wore the dress in her first official  portrait, taken in 1999 (left)

Lady Louise Windsor 

Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, wrapped up warm in her navy Roland Mouret coat on five instances between 2018 and 2019, even inspiring her daughter, Lady Louise, to follow suit.

The luxurious ‘Millington’ double-wool crepe coat combines style and practicality with its flared sleeves, distinctive lapels and a knee-length cut.

When arriving at St Mary Magdalene Church in 2022, Louise accessorised the coat with a coordinating Jane Taylor London trilby and nude suede heels.

Sophie’s Roland Mouret coat appears to be in pristine condition – even though Lady Louise has waited four years to wear it 

Princess Victoria of Sweden

Queen Silvia of Sweden’s 1995 Nobel Prize gown made a lasting impression, leading her daughter, Princess Victoria, to revive it 23 years later. 

At the same event in 2018, Victoria donned her mother’s strapless colour-block dress by Nina Ricci.

She enhanced the look with the Connaught Tiara, which was designed in 1860 and worn by Queen Silvia on several occasions.

Queen Silvia of Sweden’s 1995 Nobel Prize gown made such an impact that her daughter, Princess Victoria, revived it 23 years later