WWD Report Card: Best Dressed Royals Through History

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Below, the most fashionable royals in history.

Marie Antoinette: A

Marie Antoinette, Queen of France, in coronation robes by Jean-Baptiste Gautier Dagoty, 1775. Maria Antoinette 1755-1793)History

Marie Antoinette, Queen of France, in coronation robes by Jean-Baptiste Gautier Dagoty, 1775. Universal History Archive/UIG/Shutterstock

Historically, she was one of the first royals to use fashion as power (and she ended up paying a high price for it). This is the definition of ultimate excess. But what’s not to love about bows, pearls, feathers, a corset and volume everywhere? She remains a source of inspiration even today.

Princess Diana: A

Princess Diana, 1994 Nils Jorgensen/Shutterstock

We don’t think anyone will get to the level of influence in fashion and pop culture that Princess Di had. Every look was copied and dissected, like this uber chic black dress that she wore to the Serpentine Gallery charity dinner. Obviously having access to Queen Elizabeth II’s jewelry box didn’t hurt.

Princess Margaret: A-

Princess Margaret Goes To The Ball - September 1949 Princess Margaret Wearing A White Tulle Evening Gown With Silver Paillettes And White Fox Cape Arriving At The City Chambers Edinburgh For Last Night's Grand Festival Ball. Earlier In The Evening She Accompanied The Queen At A Performance Of Mozart's Opera 'cosi Fan Tutte' At The King's Theatre. Princess Margaret Goes To The Ball - September 1949 Princess Margaret Wearing A White Tulle Evening Gown With Silver Paillettes And White Fox Cape Arriving At The City Chambers Edinburgh For Last Night's Grand Festival Ball. Earlier In The Evening S

Princess Margaret, 1949 ANL/Shutterstock

Her fashion contributions have been revived by shows like “The Crown” and “The Windsors,” of which this is a clear example. This jewel-encrusted gown, paired with a cropped fur coat and pearl necklace, is giving total Hollywood golden era vibes.

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex: A-

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry, 2018 Shutterstock

The retired royal embodies a modern take on royal dressing. This boatneck, knee-length, A-line number is minimal but elegant, while the matching fascinator speaks to British heritage, finishing this daytime look with class.

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge: B+

Catherine Duchess of Cambridge visits the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre Stanford Hall.British Royals visit to Leicestershire, UK - 11 Feb 2020The new Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre, known as ‘DMRC Stanford Hall’, is operated by the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and began admitting patients in October 2018. The Centre delivers in-patient and residential rehabilitation to serving members of the Armed Forces for complex musculoskeletal disorders and injuries, including complex trauma, rehabilitation following neurological injury or illness and in-patient care for joint and soft-tissue disease.

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, 2018 Tim Rooke/Shutterstock

She is more traditional with her choices than her sister-in-law. This seems to be paying homage to British military uniforms, with a touch of Highlander. It’s very English royal family, but the black boots and black leather gloves could look subversive, a welcomed wink.

Prince George: A

Prince George in HamburgPrince William and Catherine Duchess of Cambridge visit to Germany - 21 Jul 2017

Prince George, 2017 Bruce Adams/Shutterstock

This truly is perfect. Prince George has emerged as a cult figure for the masses, all before the age of six. His short shorts, gingham shirt and tube socks have Brooklyn hipster written all over them. His feathered hair and theatrical movements add the necessary drama to make every look unforgettable. We can’t wait to see where this goes.

Grace Kelly: A-

Prince Rainer III, Princess Grace, Grace Kelly Prince Rainier III and Princess Grace of Monaco are on the roof garden of the Gresham Hotel in Dublin, shortly before attending the festival banquet in the hotel. They are paying a state visit to the Republic of IrelandPrince Rainer III and Princess Grace, Dublin, Ireland

Princess Grace and Prince Rainier III of Monaco, 1961 John Rider/AP/Shutterstock

Before being princess, she already was Hollywood gold. Her royal style married the high glamour of the movie business with elite European royalty, making her even more of an icon. The combination of a diamond crown, elbow-high white gloves and a stunning gown are the perfect example. She was the head of what would become a fashion dynasty.

Queen Rania of Jordan: A-

Queen Rania of Jordan, 2019 Christophe Ena/AP/Shutterstock

With a very well-edited fashion closet, Queen Rania has been serving look after look for years now. This evening number just proves her insightful knowledge of style. She looks like a working royal, but peering closer you realize there’s major fashion happening here.

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A new book celebrates seven decades of @Dior hats. ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ Maria Grazia Chiuri has rarely met a hat she didn’t like. In fact, one of the signatures of the designer’s tenure at Dior is her habit of showing headgear with almost every women’s look — in the process giving the category a robust sales boost.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ The book features creations from all the house’s artistic directors, from Christian Dior himself through to Yves Saint Laurent, Marc Bohan, Gianfranco Ferré, John Galliano, Raf Simons and now Chiuri, who has revived the veiled beret as a marker of French chic.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ “Fashion is not just about clothes, far from it. Fashion is about building an identity, and this happens through clothes but also with accessories that can become a recognizable sign, a signature,” Chiuri told WWD.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ The Rizzoli book, which comes out on June 3, was originally designed to coincide with an exhibition on the same theme at the Christian Dior Museum in Granville, Normandy, also under the artistic direction of Stephen Jones. ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ “Chapeaux Dior! The Art of the Hat from Christian Dior to Stephen Jones” was scheduled to run from April 25 to Nov. 1, but has been postponed indefinitely due to the coronavirus outbreak.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ Tap the link in bio for more. ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ Report: @jdiderich⁣ ⁣ —⁣ #wwdfashion ⁣ #dior ⁣ #hats ⁣ #mariagraziachiuri ⁣ #stephenjones ⁣
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