dressing

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‘Power dressing’—the act of styling oneself to assert authority, most commonly in a finely tailored suit—has long been a fine art. In the Seventies, the trousers were flared and fabulous; the Eighties were defined by bigger-means-better shoulder pads; and by the end of 90s, it was all about a relaxed yet perfectly proportioned fit. But one theme has stuck throughout the power suit’s metamorphosis: it’s backed by a legion of ultra-stylish royals.
Princess Anne was an early adopter of women’s tailoring, wearing white suits reminiscent of Bianca Jagger in Yves Saint Laurent as far back as 1973. Later, Diana, Princess of Wales led the pack with an androgynous appeal. The Countess of Wessex took the baton in the early Oughts in a plethora of pastel sets, and now, the Duchesses of Cambridge and Sussex compete for best dressed, buttoned up in Alexander McQueen and Loro Piana. Queen Letizia of Spain keeps it bold in vivid hues, Charlotte Casiraghi opts for tweed from Chanel or Gucci, and Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden has a penchant for prints.
Those in need of some powerful wardrobe inspiration, look no further. See below some of our favorite royal tailoring moments.

Queen Rania
At the Queen Rania Teacher Academy, 2021
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The Duchess Of Cambridge

At the Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood, 2022
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Queen Letizia of Spain

At the Creade Refugees Centre, 2022
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Diana, Princess of Wales

At Wembley Stadium, 1988
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Queen Rania
At the HeForShe IMPACT Summit, New York, 2018
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Princess Anne

Visiting a theatre, 1973
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The Duchess of Cambridge

In Kingston, Jamaica, 2022
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The Duchess of Sussex 

At the Invictus Games, 2022
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Queen Rania
Jordan, 2021
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Diana, The Princess Of Wales

At the Connaught Hotel, 1997
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The Countess of Wessex

At Chelsea Flower Show, 2022
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Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden

Visiting the research vessel ‘Skagerrak’, 2022
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The Duchess of Cambridge

Visiting Ulster University Magee Campus, 2021
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Diana, Princess of Wales

At the Royal Albert Hall, 1990
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The Countess of Wessex

At the V&A Museum, 2005
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Diana, Princess Of Wales

At a gala, 1986
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Queen Letizia of Spain

Visiting La Otra Corte, 2019
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Princess Sofia of Sweden 

At the Medals of Merit presentation, 2018
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Queen Letizia of Spain

Visiting a students’ residence, 2020
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The Duchess of Sussex

With the Duke of Sussex in Ireland, 2018
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Queen Elizabeth II

At King Edward VII Hospital, 2003
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The Duchess of Sussex

At Royal Lancaster Hotel, 2018
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Charlotte Casiraghi 

At the Gucci Paris Masters, 2012
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Crown Princess Mary of Denmark

Visiting the Designloungeon, 2017
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Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden

At the Fryshuset Foundation, 2022
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Princess Eugenie of York

With Misha Nonoo at a fashion event, 2019
Photo: Getty
Princess Isabella of Denmark

During her confirmation, 2022
Photo: Getty
Crown Princess Mary of Denmark

Visiting the Royal Academy of Arts, 2022
Photo: Getty

Originally published in Tatler.com
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