In the world of royal fashion, trends may come and go, but one style principle has proven itself a steadfast favourite among the Firm’s most fashion-savvy women: The monochromatic wardrobe.

Opting for the same tried-and-tested silhouette in a variety of flattering shades, the royals are showing that when it comes to dressing for duty, consistency is key. It’s the ultimate embodiment of the age-old adage, ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’.

From the Princess of Wales to the Duchess of Edinburgh, a growing number of royal women are quietly embracing a fashion formula that combines elegance with efficiency.

A longstanding fan of classic cuts and demure tailoring, the Duchess of Edinburgh stepped out for the Service of Thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day in an ice-blue version of the ‘Yahvi’ dress by one of her most trusted labels Beulah London.

But this wasn’t the first time she had worn the style. It was the fourth. The same design has appeared on her in yellow, cream and coral, and for good reason. It’s flattering, appropriate, and photograph-friendly, three things no royal ensemble can afford to compromise on.

This clever capsule approach to fashion is a style trick Sophie seems to have learned from none other than the Princess of Wales, arguably the reigning monarch of monochromatic dressing.

Chief among her favourites is the timeless Emilia Wickstead ‘Kate’ dress which was named after her. The Princess of Wales is said to have loved the original design so much that she commissioned versions in navy, lavender and olive green.

The result? A streamlined wardrobe that exudes sophistication while reinforcing a cohesive, recognisable royal image.

Princess Beatrice, known for her fashion evolution in recent years, has also embraced this styling trick and has been spotted in various Beulah London dresses, following the formula of a similar cut repeated in a spectrum of colours.

Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh

A royal favourite? The Duchess of Edinburgh opted for her go-to dress when attending the Service of Thanksgiving on VE Day.

The Duchess of Edinburgh’s go-to dress for formal occasions seems to be the Beulah London silk dress which she has in four different colours and she wore most recently at the VE day Service of Thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey

Her ice blue version of Beulah London’s ‘Yahvi’ design has become a winning formula for the stylish royal thanks to its long sleeves with fluted cuffs, A-line skirt and fitted bodice, making it a sophisticated, timeless piece that works in countless settings. 

For last year’s Trooping the Colour she chose to wear the dress in sunshine yellow, which she matched with a coordinating Jane Taylor hat and previous to that she wore the design in coral for the Orbis Visionaries Reception at Abbey Road Studios in 2024. 

The style was first debuted at a pre-Coronation reception at Buckingham Palace in 2023 in cream and all of the colourways have since been recycled and worn countless times.  

Catherine, Princess of Wales

Long-sleeved and belted at the waist, Emilia Wickstead’s ‘Kate’ dress was first spotted in lavender in October 2018 when Catherine attended the Global Ministerial Mental Health Summit in London. 

Emilia Wickstead named this long-sleeved fitted number as the ‘Kate’ dress as it became so popular as Kate had it in several different colours

Less than a year later an olive green version of the bespoke gown was worn to open the Anna Freud Centre in London, although the neckline had been slightly modified. 

Next was navy in November 2019 when the Princess of Wales attended the launch of the National Emergencies Trust.

This regal Alexander McQueen Coat-dress, by her favourite designer, on the now Princess of Wales proved a huge hit each time she wore it 

For Princess Charlotte’s christening in 2015, Catherine looked pristine in an ivory Alexander McQueen coat dress. A few years later for Harry and Meghan’s royal wedding celebrations it looked very similar but was actually in a pale shade of primrose yellow.

Later, proving that a classic cut can stand the test of time, she donned the same piece but this time in pale blue to attend the Westminster Abbey service for the Centenary of the Royal Air Force in July 2018.

These dress-coats are Catherine’s most relied up fashion style with it’s cross over bodice design with a nipped in waist and flared skirt by British designer, Emilia Wickstead

The elegant longline coat dress has become one of Kate’s most relied upon fashion styles, which was first adopted by Princess Diana in the 1980s. 

A cross over bodice design with neat lapels, nipped in waist and flared skirt by Emilia Wickstead has become a firm favourite of Catherine’s. Looking radiant in a pale blue version, Kate attended the Easter Sunday Service in 2022 in the flattering silhouette.

Next was a bold shade of deep coral pink with a coordinating Jane Taylor fascinator for the 2022 Buckingham Palace garden party and most recently it was seen again in burgundy for the VE Day Memorial with a slightly higher neckline and longer hemline but the same nipped in waist and full skirt.

The Princess of Wales has perfected the art of power dressing in this tailored Alexander McQueen trouser suit in a rainbow of colours

Since becoming Princess of Wales, Kate has perfected the art of power dressing, repeatedly turning to her trusty Alexander McQueen trouser suit in a rainbow of colours.

Flatteringly cropped at the ankle, the tailored trousers and matching single-breasted jacket have become Kate’s alternative to the fitted dresses of the past. 

She first chose a crisp white version in March 2022 during a Jamaica tour. A few months later it was pretty in pink for Catherine for a meeting she hosted with the Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood. 

In November 2022 when arriving in Boston the suit was repeated in navy for a formal take on the tailoring, and most recently teal was the colour of choice for Kate’s wardrobe essential as she stepped out to open the Evelina London Children’s Day Surgery Unit.

Princess Beatrice 

This structured dress boasts puffy shoulders and a wide belt cinched at the waist, together with buttons along the front as well as on the cuffs. 

Princess Beatrice is a huge fan of Beulah London’s ‘Ahana’ style as she has worn it in three colourways at different royal events

Princess Beatrice is clearly a fan of Beulah London’s best-selling ‘Ahana’ style as she owns it in three colourways.

First debuted during the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations in icy blue, it was later replaced by a teal version for the Variety Club Awards ceremony a few months later in November 2022.

 At the Princess of Wales’ Together at Christmas carol concert in 2023 Beatrice chose the style with a festive twist in navy and emerald green tartan.