Perhaps starting with Princess Diana, the royals have long been beacons of fashion and taste. Millions of fashionistas follow the royal family simply to see what the likes of Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton are wearing — and that hasn't changed in 2020. Despite having far fewer formal engagements to attend than usual, the royals made the most of the year, including with their fashion choices. It's definitely been a year of style statements from the Duchess of Cambridge and Duchess of Sussex, but one of the lesser known royals also made her fashion mark in 2020.
It was recently revealed that search engine data from the year shows that the royals' most prominent fashion moments were Meghan's stand-out style choices leading up to her and Prince Harry's departure from official duties. But Princess Beatrice's glamourous wedding gown also made waves.
For those who don't already know, Princess Beatrice is the eldest daughter of Prince Andrew and his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson. Beatrice and her sister Princess Eugenie may not be senior royals, but the public has definitely taken more notice of them since Meghan and Harry moved stateside and assumed a lower profile. This list would absolutely be incomplete without them.
Interestingly, they both seem to be a lot more low-key than the duchesses, both of whom had some truly stellar fashion moments in 2020. In fact, we actually think this year has allowed the royals to show a bit more of who they are through their clothing since most of their appearances have been virtual and decidedly more casual than we're used to seeing from either of them since they wed their princes. So, without further ado, here are the most unforgettable royal fashion moments of 2020.
Meghan's Endeavor Fund Dress
While Meghan Markle has never been one to shy away from risque (for royals anyway) fashion choices, after she and Harry announced their "Megxit," she stepped out in some truly bold looks. One that caught people's eyes was this bright blue and quite fitted Victoria Beckham sheath dress worn to the Endeavor Fund Awards in early March.
Green at Guinness
One of our very favorite looks from Kate this year was the sparkly green cocktail dress she wore to visit the Guinness Storehouse during her and Prince William's tour of Ireland in early 2020. The deep emerald color was stunning and perfect for Kate's complexion, and the dress served up the perfect amount of shimmer for the occasion.
Again in Green
Not long before that Guinness appearance, Kate actually donned a casual outfit in a similar shade of green that we can't seem to get our minds off. She paired a ribbed forest green sweater with cropped green palazzo pants in nearly the same shade and a pair of green and tan striped tennies. The duchess somehow manages to always look completely put together even when she's getting sporty.
Lady in Red
For one of her last appearances before crossing the pond, Meghan wore an incredible floor-length red gown with cape-style sleeves and a modern train to the Mountbatten Festival of Music in early March. She styled the look with a perfectly matched clutch and pumps and sleek, straight hair.
Shine Bright
On March 9, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex attended the annual Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey — an event at which she was said to have been snubbed by Kate — marking their final appearance as senior members of the royal family. Meghan once again chose color and arrived in a jade green, mid-calf length dress with cape-style shoulders. She topped the look off with an elegant fascinator in the same shade.
Princess Bride
Whether for the sake of sentiment or style, Princess Beatrice shopped her grandmother's closet when it came time to select her wedding gown. Beatrice borrowed a stunning vintage gown designed by Sir Norman Hartnell from the Queen, who wore the dress back in the 1960s. The short-sleeved dress features a square neckline and is made from ivory taffeta and duchesse satin and is embroidered with crystals and diamantes. Beatrice finished her wedding day look with the bold "Fringe Tiara," a nearly 75-year-old crown that was originally owned by Queen Mary and previously worn by Princess Anne.
Speaking of the Queen
While Queen Elizabeth's penchant for bright colors is well-documented, we rarely see her in prints or patterns. But in June she seemed to take a page out of Kate's playbook when she wore a pale blue and lemon yellow floral dress for her husband Prince Philip's 99th birthday. Accessorized simply, of course, with a single string of pearls.
Pantsuit Panache
In mid-March, at the beginning of the health crisis, the Duchess of Cambridge wore a gorgeous rose pink pantsuit to meet with health care workers. Kate's work, of course, was important, but it was hard not to focus on how fantastic she looked in her ultra-contemporary suit. She's since worn the gently cropped pants to other events.
Dressing on a Dime
During the spring, while sheltering at home, Kate debuted what would come to be her signature style for the year. Everyone took notice when she wore a $40 floral-printed, puffy-sleeved Marks and Spencer dress for a video call about kindness with a UK school. The dress quickly sold out.
Royal Pizazz
If anyone ever doubts the Queen's sassy side, all they need do is keep a close eye on her wardrobe. Every so often, she makes a really bold fashion choice, like this red-and-hot-pink color-block dress she wore in early 2020. It definitely feels like a bit of a throwback to the '60s and makes the Queen look, dare we say … playful.
Bold Florals
As we mentioned, Kate's signature look this year has been flowy, mid-length floral dresses. A favorite was the red and white number she wore to thank communities and individuals who've been actively helping others through the global health issue. From the vintage floral print to the details on the sleeves, it was an eye-catching look.
High Fashion
While her outfit may have been overshadowed by her impending departure from the UK, Meghan wore an absolutely stunning look on a visit to the Immersive Storytelling Studio in London. She wore a sheer white puff-sleeved blouse tucked into a textured white pencil skirt with a front slit. The outfit could have been in any high-fashion magazine.
Prints, Prints, Prints
One of Kate's prettiest looks this year was another floral printed dress she wore while on a video call announcing a new photo project she started working on in May, which honored "helpers and heroes." The dress was a pale yellow high-neck number featuring a delicate cherry blossom pattern. What made it so unique, though, was that the print was of actual tiny cherry blossom trees, not just the flowers.
LBD
Early this year, Meghan leveled up the little black dress when she attended an event representing the Association of Commonwealth Universities. Her dress was a chic black cap-sleeved design with a pencil silhouette and a tie at the neck that framed her face perfectly. The look was definitely a modern take on a classic style.
Business Casual
Every working woman should take notes on Kate's business casual style in 2020. She looked perfectly polished and professional, but still on-trend when she donned this menswear-inspired ensemble while visiting university students for World Mental Health Day in October. From the coat's subtle houndstooth pattern to her cropped pants, the entire look was a winner.
Up-and-Comer
While we realize her style isn't entirely her own yet, we couldn't help but include young Princess Charlotte on this list of 2020's most unforgettable royal fashion moments. A few photos of her wearing a beautiful black and white houndstooth dress with a ruffled collar were posted to her parents' Instagram account in honor of her birthday — and she looked way too chic for a 5-year-old.
