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2 years ago
A royally appointed wardrobe
Royal trendsetters come and go, but the brands they wear have stood the test of time. Want to know where the royals shop their iconic wardrobe? From Burberry and Alexander McQueen to Emilia Wickstead and Hunter, we’ve rounded up the brands the royals love.
The Country & Town House Responsible Buyers’ Guide
Garrard was appointed the first official Crown Jeweller in 1843, and has played a key role in styling the royal family ever since. The jeweller is probably best known for crafting some of the key pieces worn by Charles and Camilla during their coronation – including the Imperial State Crown, Queen Mary’s Crown and the Sovereign’s Sceptre. When it isn’t creating royally-approved accessories, you can find Garrard working on exquisite jewellery and couture pieces.
Explore: garrard.com
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This Edinburgh-based leather goods brand is often seen on the arm of royals. Founded in 2013 by husband-and-wife team Guy and Leeanne Hundleby, Strathberry is known for its beautifully-crafted classic bags and accessories. If you were watching the coronation of King Charles III, you may have noticed Zara Tindall carrying the brand’s East/West Baguette in Forget Me Not as she entered Westminster Abbey.
Explore: strathberry.com
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London-based fashion brand Erdem is a hit with the younger members of the royal family, in particular sisters Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice. The former was snapped wearing a floral gown from Erdem for her official engagement photos to now-husband Jack Brooksbank.
Explore: erdem.com
The Prince and Princess of Wales are renowned for their dedication to sustainability. When the pair arrived to the Earthshot Prize 2022 ceremony in Boston, they showed they could walk the walk as well as talk the talk. Kate went to the event in a green Solace London gown that she rented from popular rental platform HURR Collective. HURR was founded in 2018 by Victoria Prew, and started out as an invite-only peer-to-peer rental platform. These days, HURR lets all renters try its services – and even stocks items directly from brands and big-name department stores.
You can rent the exact dress worn by the Princess of Wales here (it’s currently available in sizes UK 6 to 16).
Explore: hurrcollective.com
Photo: BBC/The Earthshot Prize/Pip Cowley (Photographer: Pip Cowley / Image copyright: The Earthshot)@princeandprincessofwales
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Sister-run British handbag brand, Charlotte Elizabeth, is known for its beautifully classic designs and luxury leather goods. Originally supported by The Prince’s Trust during its founding years, the brand has since gone on to be a hit within the royal circle – Charlotte Elizabeth’s hero design, the Bloomsbury, is a known wardrobe favourite for Meghan Markle, for example.
Explore: charlottelizabeth.com
Formerly a royal sport, hunting has been a prime pastime for the British royal family for centuries – and they put their faith in London gunmaker Holland & Holland for all their sporting shotguns and rifles. The brand has been in business since 1835, and has two royal warrants under its belt (most notably from our new king, Charles III).
Explore: hollandandholland.com
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Another one of the brands the royals love is British shirtmaker Turnbull & Asser, which has been dressing heads of state and A-listers alike since its inception back in 1885. One of its fans is King Charles, and in 1980 he gave the brand its Royal Warrant. The Jermyn Street mainstay is immensely proud of its British heritage, although its definition of Britishness constantly moves with the times, to take into account the brand’s progressive creativity, innovative spirit, eccentricity and strength of character. Turnbull & Asser’s elegant and timeless shirts and ties are manufactured in its English workshops in Gloucestershire, minimising the company’s carbon footprint and enabling it to work with local artisans.
Explore: turnbullandasser.co.uk
The royals are known for injecting elegance into their wardrobe, favouring classic pieces that can be worn season after season. Camilla Elphick, a shoe brand favoured by Kate Middleton, is one such provider of sophisticated style staples. The brand’s slingbacks, in particular, were worn by the Princess of Wales at the 2022 Commonwealth Games (see here).
Explore: camillaelphick.com
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Having been appointed royal glovemaker to Queen Elizabeth II in 1978, British accessories brand Cornelia James could be spotted on the hands of Her Majesty at many events and public appearances. While known for crafting elegant gloves for all occasions, the brand has also found fame as a costume provider for period dramas like Bridgerton, Downton Abbey and The Crown.
Explore: corneliajames.com
One of the more recognisable brands the royals love is Barbour. Forever fans of countryside chic, multiple members of the British royal family – from the late Queen to Will and Kate – have been spotted on numerous occasions donning Barbour coats and jackets. The brand has collected three Royal Warrants in total, from the Duke Edinburgh, Queen Elizabeth II and King Charles III respectively.
Explore: barbour.com
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With three Royal Warrants under its belt, Daks is one of the undisputed go-to brands for the royals. Established in 1893, the brand is known for its beautifully crafted clothing and accessories. The countryside aesthetic of the brand fits right in with the family’s style, having made many appearances on Queen Elizabeth II, the Duke of Edinburgh and King Charles III over the years.
Explore: daks.com
Image: Otis Field Jacket, £825, daks.com
A known favourite of the royals, Harris Tweed has been kitting them out since the 20th century. A robust material made in Scotland’s Outer Hebrides (and certified by the Harris Tweed Authority), the royals are often seen wearing kilts, coats and jackets in the material. You can catch Princess Anne wearing the brand here.
Explore: harristweed.org
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Another one of the brands the royals love is British shoe brand Crockett & Jones, which has been a firm favourite of the King for years. The royal visited the brand’s factory back in 2013, where he was given a tour to see how the shoes were made and meet the people behind the designs.
Explore: crockettandjones.com
Image: Tetbury, £465, crockettandjones.com
Splitting their time between country and town, the royals have a wardrobe that spans from formal eveningwear to walking attire. And just what do they wear on their feet when they want to go for a stroll in the countryside? Hunter boots, of course. The brand holds two Royal Warrants from the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh, but many of the royals have a soft spot for the brand – from Charles and Diana to Will and Kate.
Explore: hunterboots.com
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We’re all prone to a classic Burberry trench – even the royal family. The brand currently holds two Royal Warrants from Queen Elizabeth II and King Charles III, but has been dressing the people of London since 1856. This is a quintessentially British brand with a solid footing in the royal wardrobe.
Explore: burberry.com
This is another family favourite, holding three Royal Warrants from the Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh and King Charles III. Gieves & Hawkes is known for crafting men’s military and formalwear. Many of the royal men have gone to the brand for tailoring, especially William, Harry and their father Charles (who famously wore the brand for his wedding to Princess Diana).
Explore: gievesandhawkes.com
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Camilla, our Queen Consort, is known for her elegant style – opting for neutral colours, pastels and some impressive headgear. One of the designers to have dressed Camilla is Fiona Clare, who creates bespoke formalwear at her eponymous label. Most recently, the royal was seen wearing a cream dress from the brand at the National Service of Thanksgiving as part of the Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
Explore: fionaclare.co.uk
The Princess of Wales is noted for her love of British fashion house Alexander McQueen, having worn the designer at her wedding in 2011 and for her commemorative portraits to mark her 40th birthday in 2022.
Explore: alexandermcqueen.com
Image: Clémentine Schneidermann
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Fashion Week trailblazer Emilia Wickstead is known for her elegantly feminine designs, which have caught the attention of multiple royals throughout the year. The Duchess of Sussex has worn the designer on multiple occasions, as seen at the Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey in 2020.
Explore: emiliawickstead.com
A favourite of the late Princess Diana, luxury shoe designer Jimmy Choo was known for helping the royal craft some of her signature evening looks. Diana was one of the brand’s most famous public models of the nineties, and today’s royals (in particular her daughter-in-law, the Princess of Wales) continue her legacy.
Explore: jimmychoo.com
Image: Love 85 Metallic Silver Glitter Fabric Pumps with Ivory Tulle Overlay, £595, jimmychoo.com
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Kate Middleton once again sent the internet into a frenzy earlier this year, when the first joint portrait of the royal couple was revealed at The Fitzwilliam Museum. In the painting, the Princess of Wales was dressed in a silky green midi dress by The Vampire’s Wife, along with Manolo Blahnik heels in a matching shade. As the first portrait of the future King and Queen, the choice of clothing gives an insight into some of the brands favoured by the royals.
Explore: thevampireswife.com
Prince William is a fan of British menswear brand Thom Sweeney, a classic Savile Row tailor that has been kitting people out in suits since 2003. Many of the royal’s suits are from the brand, and it was noted for dressing up many of the guests attending the wedding of the Prince and Princess of Wales in 2011.
Explore: thomsweeney.com
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Featured image: Samuel Regan-Asante, Unsplash
