Before Princess Diana, we didn't really see pregnant royals. Queen Elizabeth had four children, and there's hardly any photos of her sporting a bump. But as one of the modern royals, Diana was much more in the spotlight even while carrying her two sons. She continued attending functions and watching her husband's polo matches throughout her pregnancy, so we have some really good photos of Diana's maternity style.
Unlike Meghan Markle, who wasn't afraid to wear form-fitting clothing while she was pregnant, Diana tended to opt for looser pieces. That was already kind of in line with the style of the '80s, but it was perhaps also a conscious choice to not draw too much attention as one of the first really public-facing pregnant royals.
Take a look back at some of Diana's best maternity looks.
Bold Coat
If Diana looks like she's totally glowing here it's because she had just announced her pregnancy to the public. She was carrying Prince William at the time, and she dressed her bump in an audacious red coat. It has a lot of colors and patterns going on, and yet somehow Diana totally pulls it off.
Cape & Dress
Not long after she announced that she was expecting her first child, Diana gave us this chic maternity look. She paired a dark green cape coat with a matching hat for a trip to Chesterfield, England, in November 1981. It was clear from the start that the princess was going to be just as stylish pregnant as she was not pregnant.
Bundled Up
Just a couple months into her first pregnancy, Diana hopped a boat for a royal engagement while dressed in a cute polka-dot dress and black oversized coat. We actually didn't get that many photos of Di's bump because she tended to wear baggier items to hide it, although that was how most women at the time dressed during pregnancy. You'd hardly even know she was expecting here.
Glowing in Green
A few months before William was born, Diana visited Bristol on behalf of the royal family. She looked radiant, and we love her matching green hat and coat. The outfit was designed by Bellville Sassoon, who also made the princess' red coat. The Duchess of Sussex later wore a similar green outfit while pregnant with Archie.
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Evening Gown
This was definitely a fashion risk when the pregnant princess wore it in 1982. She looks like she borrowed the Felicity American Girl doll's fancy 1774 dress. But while not everyone may agree that this was stylish, there's no denying that a night in a fancy dress when pregnant is a commitment worth applauding. Good for you, Di.
Ruffles
Diana was carrying William here as she visited with fans on the Isles of Scilly. She even got to meet another charming baby. Perhaps the parents were giving Diana a tip or two on raising a little one. Her ruffled blue dress is also noteworthy: It's a Catherine Walker design, and very chic. It is Diana, after all. Her maternity wear was always going to be fabulous.
Wild Sweater
Between the "black sheep" sweater, the "I'm a luxury" sweater and this koala design, Diana's sweater game is really unmatched. The princess was just a month away from giving birth to William when she joined Prince Charles at a polo match. She kept things casual in a pair of red pants and an oversized pullover with a giant picture of a koala on it. Iconic, really.
Pretty in Pink
Diana wore this pink shirt dress to a polo match just a few weeks before William's birth. She doesn't even look that pregnant here, but that's the beauty of a baggy outfit, right? This outfit actually reminds us a lot of the shirt dress Meghan wore to Harry's polo game shortly after she gave birth to Archie.
Polka Dot It Up
This green and white polka-dot dress by Catherine Walker was just another maternity outfit when the princess initially wore it to a polo match in June 1982. But it would become iconic after she rewore it to leave the hospital with her new baby, William, a few weeks later. That was when the world met the future King of England for the first time, and there are so many photos of the occasion.
Patterned Two-Piece
The princess was carrying Prince Harry here, and we can tell by this staunchly 1984 patterned outfit. It couldn't come from the early '80s — this is a mid-'80s look all the way. It's been described as a "maternity suit" and was designed by Jan Van Velden. As bold as the pattern is from afar, when you zoom in, it's just pretty blue flowers.
Bedazzled
For a night out at the opera, the princess donned this flowy, bedazzled dress. She kept her bump covered up, but she let her shoulders peek through a couple of cutouts at the neckline of the gown. At the time, she was five months pregnant with Harry. We wonder if he liked the opera music from within the womb.
Loose Layers
Even though Diana was pretty solidly pregnant with Harry at this time (she would give birth just three months later), she hardly looks it. She just seems cozy in her pink dress and warm sweater. And like the Duchess of Cambridge, Diana continued wearing heels throughout her pregnancy — albeit much shorter ones than the Duchess of Cambridge wore.
All Dressed Up
Bellville Sassoon didn't just design over-the-top maternity coats for the princess, the fashion brand also made delicate gowns like this one Diana wore in 1984. She was a couple of months pregnant with Harry when she attended a formal function in this dress. It feels a bit like she was offsetting her growing bump with the billowy, tiered sleeves.
Drop Waist
The princess was several months pregnant with Harry when she wore this silky Catherine Walker outfit to the premiere of Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. The designer has also dressed Kate Middleton during her pregnancies. Both Diana and Kate love Catherine Walker designs.
Sailor Style
William was definitely too young to understand that his little brother was on the way when this sweet family snapshot was taken. Diana was in her second trimester during this photo shoot at her Kensington Palace home. For the occasion, she chose a loose-fitting pink dress with a wide white collar for a sailor-inspired outfit.
