Suits you! Memorable trouser suits worn by royal women through the years – from Princess Diana’s grey frilled two-piece to Sophie’s 90s look

It was once unusual to see a member of the Royal Family sporting trouser suits. 

Queen Elizabeth II only wore the style twice – during the 1970 royal tour of Canada and following knee surgery in 2003.

However, Princess Diana pioneered the trend in the 90s, reinventing herself as a power-suited working woman following her divorce from Prince Charles.

Catherine, Princess of Wales, has followed in her late mother-in-law’s footsteps, bringing a modern touch and vibrant spectrum of colours to her business attire.

Here, we reflect on the finest examples through the years.

Queen Elizabeth II 

Britain’s longest-reigning monarch skillfully managed her life in the public eye without any major missteps. 

Renowned for her dedication to her country, affection for corgis and impeccable fashion sense, Queen Elizabeth II became synonymous with her vibrant wardrobe, often favouring shift dresses and coordinated coats. 

Although primarily known for her dresses, there were occasions when Elizabeth wore trouser suits, such as during the Royal Tour of Canada in 1970 with her daughter, Princess Anne.

It is thought that the royal duo wanted to cover up while touring Fort Providence to shield themselves from black flies.

During the trip, Queen Elizabeth accessorised her double-breasted suit with a headscarf, gloves and flat shoes. 

It wasn’t until 2003 that she was next photographed wearing a trouser suit.

The monarch elegantly sported a tailored grey two-piece, while departing King Edward VII’s Hospital following knee surgery. 

Diana, Princess of Wales

In the 90s, Princess Diana was a trailblazer for trouser suits.

Often photographed in London, she wore longline double-breasted jackets with straight-leg trousers – a style that remains chic even today.

Anna Harvey, former British Vogue editor and Diana’s personal fashion advisor, previously stated that the royal was ‘very thoughtful’ about her clothing choices and always considered how they would be perceived by the public and the media.

Diana’s preference for neutral tones, such as beige, navy and grey, met both the Royal Family’s expectations and the prevailing fashion trends of the era. 

In March 1997, Diana looked pristine in a Dior grey two-piece ensemble with a frilled trim, following lunch with her stepmother at the Connaught Hotel in London. 

Her newfound image – a power-suited working woman – was showcased in the years following her divorce from Prince Charles, when Diana was in the process of reinventing herself.  

It was arguably the most significant transformation of her life, steeped in symbolism.

Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh

After decades of hard work and loyal service, Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, has established herself as a key figure in the monarchy. 

If her role, reputation and fashion choices have evolved over time, one aesthetic has remained constant in her wardrobe: the trouser suit.

Conveying elegance and authority, with a touch of informality when required, the two-piece has played a key role over the years.

In the 1990s, Sophie wore the staple in oversized silhouettes, tweed fabrics and earthy tones.

Today, she explores sleek tailored jackets and airy wide-leg trousers, often paired with knee-high boots and colourful accessories.

Already popular in the 70s, the trouser suit went from strength to strength and continued to dominate fashion throughout the 90s, conveying a sense of both authority and competence. 

Known for her awareness of style, Sophie first embraced the trend with peplum-style jackets and straight-leg trousers. 

One particularly flattering outfit from 1998 featured a defined waist and contrasting colour-block collar, signifying a shift in the Duchess’ attire. 

Fast forward to the 2022 RHS Chelsea Flower Show, Sophie captivated onlookers in a pastel pink suit, complemented by a swipe of lipstick in a similar shade. 

The sophisticated linen number by Gabriela Hearst comprised a double-breasted jacket and straight-leg trousers.

Sophie added a Sophie Habsburg bag with embroidered shoulder strap, and playful Penelope Chilver heels in tan and ultraviolet.

In January, the Duchess wore a forest green suit by Victoria Beckham, which was reminiscent of Kate’s Burberry two-piece.

Both looks incorporated longline blazers and wide-leg trousers.

Catherine, Princess of Wales 

The Princess of Wales’ penchant for power suits was particularly evident in 2023, when she showcased a total of nine tailored looks. 

Maintaining her vibrant style, Kate added a contemporary twist to formal attire through her clever use of colour.

The royal’s choice of an Alexander McQueen red suit for key events, such as the Coronation Concert and the launch of her Shaping Us campaign in January, stood out for its daring elegance.

She accessorised with a matching Miu Miu clutch and Gianvito Rossi pumps, emphasising the impact of her ensemble. 

In May last year, Kate revisited a second Alexander McQueen suit, this time in pastel pink, originally debuted the previous year. 

The suit’s single-breasted front and signature angled pockets complemented her appearance at the Foundling Museum, where she discussed the importance of nurturing relationships in early childhood.

Among her other notable selections was a plum-coloured Emilia Wickstead ensemble, first worn in 2021 for a conference at the Design Museum.

The impeccably-tailored design exuded modernity, blending femininity with an authoritative aesthetic. 

Another standout was her forest green suit by Burberry, worn to host the Norwegian royals at Windsor Castle, and repeated for a visit to the AW Hainsworth woolen mill in Leeds. 

Kate added a white blouse and chunky gold jewellery by Laura Lombardi, adding a contemporary touch to the ensemble.

The royal also left a lasting impression in a burgundy Roland Mouret design, worn during a visit to Boston, Massachusetts, in December 2022. 

Pairing the tailored blazer and wide-leg trousers with a pastel pink pussybow blouse, she effortlessly infused a 70s-inspired twist into her look.

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex

Since marrying into the Royal Family, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, has steadily adopted longer and more streamlined silhouettes for a suitably sophisticated look.

The American actress has incorporated a handful of trouser suits into her wardrobe, typically opting for striking shades of black, white and red.

For the 2018 WellChild Awards in London, Meghan chose a timeless Altuzzara outfit in all-black.

The flawless ensemble consisted of a single-breasted jacket, with slender peak lapels and draped side panels, and softly-flared trousers.

Meghan elevated the look with a Deitas silk camisole, Stella McCartney leather crossbody and Aquazzura court shoes.

In recent years, Meghan has selected oversized silhouettes by the likes of Valentino and Loro Piana.

The latter, sported in September 2021 while visiting a school in Harlem, New York, offered a masterclass in monochrome dressing. 

Meghan teamed the slouchy two-piece with a pair of Manolo Blahnik heels and lashings of Cartier jewellery, creating a look that could not be missed.

For the Invictus Games in April 2022, the Duchess showcased a stunning £3,200 Valentino suit, marking one of her finest looks to date. 

Playing with proportion, Meghan accessorised her double-breasted blazer and flared trousers with a Valentino bag and coordinated heels from Aquazzura.

She added a pair of meaningful Cartier diamond stud earrings, which she wore on her wedding day. 

Princess Eugenie 

Princess Eugenie has adopted the trouser suit trend on few occasions, favouring conservative designs.

A prime example was her appearance at friend and fashion designer Misha Nonoo’s New York pop-up launch in September 2019.

Eugenie and her sister, Beatrice, have known Nisha for a number of years, having attended her first wedding to Prince Harry’s friend, Alexander Gilkes. 

The Princess was immaculately dressed in a black suit, consisting of a Reiss double-breasted blazer, Equipment patterned blouse and strappy Aquazzura shoes. 

Queen Mary of Denmark

The similarities between Queen Mary of Denmark and Princess of Wales often lead to comparisons between the two royals. 

The women, who were both middle-class commoners when they married into their respective royal families, share a considered approach to style and a preference for British designers. 

Mary’s fascination with The Fold’s expert tailoring comes as no surprise. 

Established in 2012 by Polly McMaster, the British womenswear label has a mission ‘to empower women to achieve their ambitions’.

The Danish monarch showcased an asymmetric trouser suit during a visit to the National Museum of Denmark in April.

The cobalt hue and quirky design ensured the monarch made a striking solo entrance, whilst appearing smart and sophisticated.

She let her suit take centre stage, adding a pair of navy Jimmy Choo pumps, gold drop earrings and a Halberstadt necklace, featuring her husband King Frederik’s initial.

Another noteworthy addition to Mary’s closet is three-piece silk suit from Max Mara. 

She has worn the pristine look on six occasions since 2017, most recently to the Global Fashion Summit in Copenhagen last year.

It’s no wonder that Mary’s daughter, Princess Isabella, is following her stylish lead. 

For her confirmation in 2022, the 17-year-old wore her mother’s iconic white trouser suit, accessorising it with a diamond and pearl brooch. 

This special brooch was a gift from her grandmother, Queen Margrethe, on her Christening day in 2007, and once belonged to Queen Alexandrine.

Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden 

Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden is celebrated for her vibrant wardrobe choices, making a sartorial statement at every opportunity. 

So far this year, she has revisited some of her most beloved suits for royal engagements.

Among them, three standout ensembles in sky blue, baby pink and tangerine have drawn attention, all sourced from the popular high street brand, Zara.

Victoria’s penchant for affordable fashion has delighted fashion enthusiasts, as she consistently opts for longline single-breasted jackets and wide-leg trousers.

This marks a continuation from last year’s repertoire, which featured bright fuchsia and emerald green variations of her signature style.

Queen Letizia of Spain

In November 2019, Queen Letizia of Spain offered a refreshing take on the classic black trouser suit during her attendance at the Princess of Girona Foundation Awards in Barcelona.

Her stunning two-piece, from Spanish heritage brand Pertegaz, boasted fluffy ostrich feathers and rhinestone embellishment along the sleeves. 

The fitted blazer and cigarette trousers were effortlessly flattering, especially when paired with towering snakeskin heels by Manolo Blahnik.  

Letizia finished her tasteful ensemble with diamond stud earrings and swept her raven locks into a chignon.

In recent months, Letizia has demonstrated her style confidence by wearing head-to-toe colour – just like her international counterparts.

She has become an avid fan of power suits, opting for eye-catching shades like crimson and bubblegum pink at official events.

Letizia teams these impeccably tailored creations – by Carolina Herrera and Boss – with neutral blouses and coordinated heels, creating a perfectly balanced look.

Queen Maxima

Last month, Queen Maxima of the Netherlands – renowned for her fearless fashion sense, showcased a vibrant turquoise trouser suit during an engagement in her home country.

The summery look for the charity visit in Wieringerwerf was paired with a white T-shirt and towering nude heels. 

Perfectly complementing the linen suit was a nude clutch bag.