Royals who got Self-Portrait’s style memo: Since Kate debuted British brand in 2016, Princess Beatrice, Meghan and Pippa have all got in on the act – and Carole Middleton showed off floral number at Royal Ascot
It turns out that to dress like a princess all you need is a frock from Self-Portrait, a brand that has notably captured the hearts of the royals in recent years.
Known for striking a unique balance between luxury and affordability, its looks have become a staple in the wardrobes of several royal family members.
Since she first wore the British label in 2016, the Princes of Wales has showcased their dresses repeatedly during both engagements and family gatherings.
Kate’s mother Carole Middleton recently displayed a Self-Portrait floral look at Royal Ascot, whilst her sister Pippa has also got in on the action in the past.
Princess Beatrice is also a big fan and Meghan Markle has previously made an appearance in one of their reasonably priced frocks.
Founded by Malaysian-born designer Han Chong in 2013, Self-Portrait quickly rose to fame for its distinctive, contemporary designs and has gone from strength to strength since.
Signature lace dresses, structured silhouettes, and sophisticated details offer a fresh take on traditional royal fashion – as the below pictures show.
Catherine, Princess of Wales
In 2022, Kate Middleton and Princess Anne teamed up for their first-ever joint engagement to visit organisations dedicated to improving maternal healthcare. Kate wore a crepe 2-in-1 style Self-Portrait dress for the visit to the headquarters of the Royal College of Midwives and the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG)
Looking elegant as ever, the taupe-hued jacket featured floral embroidery, long sleeves and a belt, cinching her at the waist
The floral embroidery on Kate’s Self-Portrait dress, which she wore for a joint outing with Princess Anne
The Princess of Wales opted for Wimbledon green at the 2023 final, channelling the tennis tournament’s trademark grass courts. Worn during the Ladies Finals, her lime midi dress featured a short sleeve blazer-inspired bouclé bodice and a pleated chiffon skirt. She teamed up the eye catching frock with Cassandra Goad pearl earrings, a pair of Gianvito Rossi suede slingbacks
At the Platinum Party in 2022, Kate Middleton enjoyed the live entertainment outside Buckingham Palace Self-Portrait’s white bouclé bodice midi-dress. The stylish royal had previously worn the classic look at a Kensington Palace reception for her Hold Still exhibition
During her week-long royal tour of the Caribbean with Prince William in 2022, the Princess of Wales was seen arriving at a primary school in the Bahamas in a minty green capped-sleeve number. Cinched just above the waist and falling to Kate’s favourite mid-calf hem length, she paired it with classic pumps from Jimmy Choo
For the reopening of the National Portrait Gallery in 2023, the Princess of Wales opted for an elegant black and white blazer dress from Self-Portrait. This 2-in-1 dress is Kate’s shortcut to a polished look when achieving her trademark tailored style, and she teamed the intricately detailed piece with a Chanel black quilted clutch bag
At King Charles’s pre-Coronation reception last May, Kate stunned in a patriotic royal blue Self-Portrait dress with a criss-cross neckline. She also wore the Queen Mother’s sapphire and diamond earrings, together with a sparkly silver clutch by Jenny Packham
For the Royal British Legion’s Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall in November 2022, Kate chose a black version of her favourite silhouette. The royal had previously worn the same dress in white. She dipped into the late Queen Elizabeth’s jewellery collection, choosing a sentimental pair of pearl drop earrings and a four-strand pearl and diamond choker
The first time Kate ever wore Self-Portrait was for the premiere of A Street Cat Named Bob in 2016. Then she donned a white silk and lace frock. The fitted bodice lent her an air of sophistication, which was augmented through a sweeping, pleated train with a daring leg slit
Carole Middleton
Florals were trending among the members of the British royal family at Royal Ascot 2024, and Carole Middleton took a style tip from her daughter by wearing one of Kate’s favourite brands to the occasion. Carole (pictured above on the day with husband Michael) paired the Self-Portrait dress with navy pumps and a light blue fascinator with a statement floral element
Pippa Middleton
In 2017, Pippa attended Wimbledon in a sheer lacy pink number. The brand’s ladylike take on the see-through dress trend is the perfect style risk for Kate’s sister, who usually opts for classic, often conservative, silhouettes. She finished the outfit with neutral pumps, a grey suede clutch and oversized cat eye sunglasses by ZanZan
Princess Beatrice
For a Buckingham Palace garden party in 2022, Princess Beatrice wore a Self-Portrait dress featuring a fun check print, flattering fit and flare silhouette and a round neckline finished with a delicate pink bow
For her moving appearance with her cousins for their vigil alongside the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II in Westminster Hall in September 2022, Beatrice chose a black Self-Portrait frock with a JBH Millinery headband, Jimmy Choo pumps and a Fiona Kotur clutch
Back in 2017, Princess Beatrice stole the show in a Self-Portrait midi dress for an event held at the Victoria and Albert Museum. The gown turned heads due to its semi-sheer lace panels that had a navy blue overlay and a body skimming cut
Meghan Markle
In April 2018, just one month before marrying Prince Harry, the Duchess of Sussex stepped out in the sunshine for a reception at the Australian High Commission celebrating the forthcoming Sydney Invictus Games. Meghan wore a green Self-Portrait floral dress with pleated skirt, cold shoulders, a low neckline and cut-out detailing on the bodice
Stunning in pillar box red as she arrived in Tonga in 2018, Meghan made a statement in Self-Portrait’s embroidered maxi dress. It appeared to have been altered to a midi length for the tour. It featured a round neck and long sleeves with floral embroidery, a pleated skirt and belt around the waist
When she and Harry drove into Buckingham Palace for Queen Elizabeth II’s annual Christmas luncheon in 2017, Meghan’s lace-topped Self-Portrait dress could be spotted. The sheer bodice was balanced with a black high neck and full midi skirt
In 2016, before she joined the Royal Family, Meghan wore this mint green number for a Glamour and L’Oreal function in New York
Flora Vesterberg
Flora Vesterberg, the granddaughter of Princess Alexandra, attended Cartier’s Style Et Luxe at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in 2023 wearing a Slef-Portrait midi dress with a pleated dot mesh skirt and an off-the-shoulder wool jacket with a waist-defining belt
At Royal Ascot in 2023, Flora wore this floral chiffon dress from Self-Portrait. It boasted a high neck and pussybow tie, a fitted waist and a full skirt
Dressed to impress for a wedding earlier this year, Flora channelled Jackie Onassis in this full skirted sky-blue dress from Self-Portrait. Cut from textured fabric, the dress was characterised by an open collar neckline and mid-length skirt and was styled with a contrasting black Lock & Co headpiece