When you think of royal fashionistas, you probably think of the cutting-edge style of Princess Diana, the classic style of Kate Middleton, and the sophisticated style of Meghan Markle. Maybe even young Princess Charlotte comes to mind. But someone else deserves recognition: the late Princess Margaret. The Queen's younger sister was overshadowed in the royal world by the powerful Elizabeth, but she always dominated the fashion world.
Like Meghan, Margaret had a simple but chic style. And like Kate, she loved a good coatdress. And since Margaret's time in the monarchy overlapped with Diana's, the two women were even spotted wearing matching bright floral outfits at one point.
After you see these photos of Margaret's looks through the years, you'll agree — she was definitely one of the most fashionable royal women.
Butterfly Dress
Margaret looks stunning in this portrait, wearing a voluminous white gown with sparkling butterflies decorating the sleeves and skirt. The outfit was later replicated for a scene in Netflix's drama The Crown. It's reportedly one of the most expensive costumes ever made for the show.
Garden Chic
This picture is believed to have been taken of the young princess in the 1940s when she was just a teenager. Her floral dress with its low cut and narrow straps is pretty risqué for a royal, since even modern day royal women tend not to show off their shoulders all that often. We love the flower embellishments on her gown that match the flowers around her.
Polka Dot Princess
In this 1949 photo, Princess Margaret was seen visiting the Women's Resident Training college, which had just reopened after being damaged during World War II. The Countess of Snowdon dressed for the event in a chic pink polka dot dress with a heart-shaped neckline and white accessories. She looked so trendy.
Birthday Portrait
For her 19th birthday in 1949, Margaret posed for this exquisite photo in a stunning pale pink dress and several strings of pearls. The princess basically used to turn all of her royal portraits into glamour shots, with dramatic puffy dresses, bold backdrops, moody lighting, exquisite makeup, and dazzling jewelry.
Velvet Coat
For a 1951 meeting with fashion designer Christian Dior in Paris, Margaret wore a velvet coat that would make even Kate Middleton jealous. While her sister was always very no-nonsense with her fashion, Margaret liked to play around with styles and textures. Her wardrobe was infinitely more interesting than the Queen's.
Basically a Movie Star
Margaret may have been attending a film premiere in this 1953 photo (she had gone to see Hamlet), but she might has well have been one of the stars — she looks so glamorous. The silky gown and white gloves are incredibly sophisticated, and we love the flower detailing at the collar.
Royal Regalia
By 1955, Margaret's father, King George VI, had died, and Elizabeth was the reigning monarch. Margaret didn't have a large role as sister to the Queen, but she did get to wear royal sashes, pins, and jewelry when attending formal state functions. She makes them look so good!
Bold Pink
The coolest events that royals get to go to are movie premieres. In this picture, taken in 1960, Margaret attended the debut of the Alamo in London. She got all dressed up for the outing in a pink floor-length gown and a white fur wrap. She topped off the look with bold earrings and a diamond necklace.
Her Wedding Dress
When Margaret married photographer Anthony Armstrong-Jones in 1960, she wore a simple white gown with a cinched waist and full skirt. But what it lacked in lace or beading it made up for with timeless style. Meghan Markle's own simple Givenchy gown gave off similar vibes. Margaret paired her dress with a tiara that she'd purchased herself rather than something from the royal collection.
Costume Party
The royals don't typically celebrate Halloween, but they do apparently love a charity costume party. In 1964, Margaret attended the Georgian Ball charity function dressed in an 18th century-style gown and wig. She looked like she came right out of the era, and her jewelry, including her hair piece, was so lovely.
Tour Style
In 1965, Margaret went on a royal tour in East Africa. Tour fashion is still one of our favorite things about the monarchy, and Margaret brought her A-game while on this trip. Her geometric print dress was super trendy, and we love her coordinating blue hat and elbow-length gloves. Seriously stylish.
Big Sleeves at the Ballet
Dressing up for the ballet is always fun, and Margaret chose this outfit to the 1969 Royal Ballet Gala. The chic sheer dress has statement sleeves, proving that Diana was not the first royal to take her sleeves over the top when she wore her wedding dress in 1981. Margaret was ahead of her time.
All in Plaid
Both Margaret and her husband showed up in style for the 1970 Badminton horse trials. He wore sunglasses and a big scarf, and Margaret donned a matching plaid jacket and structured hat with her cat-eye sunglasses. Although the duo had a pretty rough marriage, at least they knew how to dress to impress the photographers.
Feather Hat
Royal Ascot is the perfect chance for royal ladies to show off their best fashion. In 1973, Margaret came dressed for the horse racing event in a smart gray suit with lime green accents (it was the '70s) and a stylish peacock feather hat. The princess always had great millinery, like her daisy hat from the 1969 Royal Ascot.
Bright & Bedazzled
We may never get to know what color this dress is, but we can tell by all the shiny rhinestones that it must have been gorgeous. Margaret put this design on for the 1976 Royal Ballet Gala, an event she attended often during her lifetime. It always gave her an excuse to get glammed up, and she took the formal dress code seriously.
Pretty in Peach
This is the outfit Margaret chose to attend her nephew Prince Charles' wedding to Princess Diana in 1981. While it certainly didn't overshadow the bride (no one could overshadow that dress), Margaret still looks glamorous in her peachy chiffon gown. And her braided headband hat reminds us so much of the one Kate Middleton wore to Archie's christening.
Luxury Everything
This 1990s picture of Margaret shows her in all the trappings of royal life. She has a silky gown, gold purse, fur jacket, and so much bling you could probably see her from blocks away. In addition to her chunky diamond necklace and earrings, she's wearing the Lotus Flower Tiara that she was gifted for her wedding.
Summer Florals
The royal women are absolutely crushing the summer florals in this August 1990 photo. We love every single one of these looks — from the Queen's cool-toned dress to Diana's bright pink suit to Margaret's drapey salmon-colored frock. And though the Queen Mother wasn't really on theme with the florals, she looks great in her pale blue dress, too.
Cape Dress
For the Queen Mother's 90th birthday in 1990, Margaret showed up to the party in this silky cape dress with matching turquoise jewelry. The icy blue gown is giving us major Elsa from Frozen vibes. Although she's more of a real-life Princess Anna since Margaret was also sister to the Queen.
Still Stylish
This picture was taken in 2000, just two years before Margaret died at age 72. Although she was already in poor health at this point and using a cane to walk, she was still totally bringing her style game when she stepped out in public. Once a fashionista, always a fashionista.
