Royal Family Fashion Mistakes That Were Recorded on Camera

The British Royal Family is known for its elegance and grace. But even they have had some fashion slip-ups. From wardrobe malfunctions to outfit choices that sparked debate, the Royals aren’t always flawless when it comes to style.

These fashion blunders have caught the attention of the media. Some moments raised questions about royal traditions versus modern fashion trends. Whether it’s a small mistake at a public event or a controversial outfit choice, these incidents show how even the Royals face pressure to look perfect in the spotlight.

Princess Catherine’s color choice at the BAFTAs raised eyebrows

Princess Catherine, known for her grace, faced a tricky situation at the 2018 BAFTAs. Amid the #MeToo and Time’s Up movements, female attendees planned to wear black to show solidarity.

However, Catherine chose to wear a dark green Jenny Packham gown instead, which raised some eyebrows. Many questioned her stance on women’s empowerment, as it appeared she didn’t follow the dress code.

But her choice wasn’t unexpected. Royal protocol requires them to avoid political statements, which is why Catherine’s outfit was likely a clever way to respect the dress code while staying neutral, as tradition dictates.

Princess Beatrice’s semi-sheer dress gave the public more than they asked for

Nothing is more annoying than clothes riding up, whether it’s shorts, skirts, or even underwear. Princess Beatrice had her own wardrobe mishap in 2021 at the V&A Summer Party. She wore a chic black sheer dress, but her nude slip beneath it seemed to rise up, exposing her underwear to the world.

When Beatrice gets it right, she nails her look. Over the years, she’s earned praise from fashion magazines for her style. However, stylist Melissa Lund pointed out that Beatrice could shine even brighter if she paid attention to the small details that make a big difference.

Beatrice is no stranger to criticism, especially after the infamous hat she wore to Prince William’s wedding in 2011, which drew widespread ridicule. But, after the backlash, she hired stylist Charlie Anderson for a wardrobe refresh. Anderson believes Beatrice has a great eye for fashion and has worn some fabulous pieces in recent years.

Princess Diana’s creased wedding gown is still memorable

If Princess Diana can walk down the wedding aisle in a creased gown, you can certainly wear a wrinkled shirt to the office now and then. On July 29, 1981, 750 million people watched the royal wedding of then-Prince Charles and Diana Spencer. But what many noticed was Diana’s beautiful, voluminous white gown, which was surprisingly wrinkled.

This wardrobe mishap wasn’t entirely unexpected. Designers Elizabeth and David Emanuel, who created the dress, had anticipated that the gown might get crushed, given its size. “In the tiny carriage, it had crumpled far more than we’d anticipated. We had done a rehearsal, but not with her father, Earl Spencer, in the car too — and he was quite a large man,” Elizabeth Emanuel explained to The Daily Mail.

When Diana stepped out of the carriage, there was immediate concern, and Elizabeth Emanuel admitted she almost fainted. “I was horrified,” she recalled during an ITV interview in 2018. Despite the wrinkles, Diana’s elegance shone through, and her gown, famously kept a secret until the wedding day, remains one of the most iconic dresses in fashion history.

When Kate’s Heel Got Caught

Let’s be real—the royals deserve credit for rocking heels all the time. They’re rarely seen in flats and never seem to complain about the discomfort that comes with high heels. But even with all their experience, they’re not immune to fashion mishaps. In 2013, Duchess Kate had one such moment when her heel got stuck in a grate.

At a St. Patrick’s Day event, a pregnant Kate nearly lost her balance when her heel got stuck in the floor. Luckily, Prince William was right there to help her stay steady.

A brooch Princess Michael of Kent wore ignited claims of racism

A wardrobe malfunction is one thing, but a morally questionable fashion choice is a whole different matter. In 2017, Princess Michael of Kent found herself at the center of a racial controversy after wearing a blackamoor brooch to a Christmas banquet at Buckingham Palace. The brooch, which depicted dark-skinned people in stereotypical ways, sparked backlash when photos of her outfit were shared in the media, with many criticizing the colonial undertones of such jewelry.

Blackamoor art, often used in jewelry, is rooted in exploitative representations of dark-skinned people, as noted by art historian Adrienne L. Childs. While these pieces became symbols of Old World luxury, they also perpetuated servitude as ornamentation, which many found deeply offensive.

The controversy intensified as the brooch was worn at an event that Meghan Markle also attended. Although a spokesperson for Princess Michael apologized, the incident resurfaced in 2021 after Meghan’s Oprah interview, where she spoke about racism within the royal family, adding more weight to the criticism.

When Eugenie and Beatrice Wore These Hats

Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice might not be as famous as Duchess Kate or Meghan Markle, but they’re still very popular. In 2011, they made headlines when they attended Prince William and Kate Middleton’s wedding.

As per royal tradition, the sisters wore hats. But their choices were far from ordinary, sparking a media storm.

While they certainly stood out, most critics felt their hats were a miss. The sisters were quickly trolled online, with their unique hats turning into viral memes for the fashion slip-up.

When Camilla Wore the Same Color as the Queen

Camilla Parker-Bowles may be queen now, but there was a time when she looked up to the late Queen Elizabeth II as the senior royal. In 2019, Camilla made a major fashion misstep when she showed up at the same event wearing the same color as the Queen.

Both women looked stunning in their rich purple outfits and hats, but it didn’t sit well with the Queen.

The British press quickly dubbed the awkward moment “Purplegate,” and it didn’t take long for Camilla to face backlash. As you might guess, she never wore the same color as the Queen again.

When Meghan’s Shirt Came Unbuttoned

One of the biggest fashion rules for the Royal Family is modesty. They must avoid showing too much skin, wearing anything too short, or revealing their underwear. In 2018, Meghan Markle unintentionally broke this rule when her lace bra became visible, leading to a fashion slip-up.

While attending a wedding with Prince Harry, Meghan Markle’s shirt came unbuttoned. Unfortunately, the cameras caught the moment before she even realized what had happened.

When Princess Beatrice Wore a Sheer Dress

Most of the fashion rules in the Royal Family are believed to have been set by Queen Elizabeth II. While she enforced these rules on Duchess Kate and Meghan Markle, her blood relatives seemed to have more freedom to experiment.

In 2017, Princess Beatrice wore a sheer black dress to an event, which the press initially called a royal fashion scandal.

Later, it was revealed that Queen Elizabeth II had actually encouraged Princess Beatrice to wear the dress. The Queen wanted her to experiment with her style and step outside the more traditional looks she had been wearing.

When Kate Wore Wedge Heels

Throughout her reign, Queen Elizabeth II became known as one of the best-dressed women in the public eye. Fans admired her modest yet stylish outfits and the fashion rules she set for the Royal Family. However, in 2011, Kate Middleton broke one of these key rules when she wore wedge heels to a royal event.

The Queen was famously not a fan of wedge heels and forbade any member of the Royal Family from wearing them. Interestingly, 2011 marked the first and last time Kate Middleton wore such shoes.

When Meghan Left the Tag on Her Dress

We’ve all had that moment where we accidentally leave the tag on a new piece of clothing. It’s a common fashion slip-up, but not something you’d expect from a royal. However, in 2018, Meghan Markle proved even royals can miss these small details. She was spotted with the tag still hanging from the bottom of her dress—an unfortunate fashion faux pas!

Many critics joked that Meghan must have wanted to return the dress after wearing it, but it’s more likely she simply didn’t notice the tag. It’s a mistake that happens to the best of us!

When Kate Had Unpolished Toenails

Many royal fashion fails focus on clothes, but in 2016, Duchess Kate upset fans when she attended an event with unpolished toenails. Normally, no one would mind if she wore shoes, but she had to take her shoes off at this event. Some people couldn’t forgive her for this small detail.

This happened when Duchess Kate and Prince William visited India’s Mahatma Gandhi Museum. At this museum, removing shoes is a sign of respect. Kate would have known this, so people wondered why she didn’t paint her toenails beforehand.

When the Queen’s Hat Flew off

While many royal fashion fails were caused by the royals themselves, some were due to Mother Nature. In 1979, Queen Elizabeth II faced one of these when strong winds ruined her outfit. She was visiting Sultan Qaboos in Oman, wearing a beautiful skirt suit and matching hat. However, she didn’t expect the wind to be so strong, and her hat flew off.

The hat flew off her head multiple times. While she managed to put it back on, royal photographers caught the whole moment on camera for everyone to see.

When the Queen Spilled Food Down Herself

Have you ever spilled food or drink on your outfit? You might think royals would never find themselves in that situation, but these pictures show that even the late Queen Elizabeth II wasn’t immune to fashion mishaps. In 2010, at Crown Prince Pavlos of Greece’s birthday party, photos of the event shocked the world. The food stains on her clothing were very noticeable.

Of course, we’ve all done it, but when we spill food on our best outfit, we don’t have photographers capturing it for the whole world to see. That must have been pretty embarrassing for her.

When Princess Michael of Kent Wore an Inappropriate Brooch

If you’re not familiar with Princess Michael of Kent, she is married to Prince Michael of Kent, the cousin of the late Queen Elizabeth II. Though she’s rarely seen in public, she made headlines in 2017 when she was photographed on her way to the Queen’s Christmas lunch. It wasn’t her clothing that caused the stir, though—it was the brooch she had pinned to her coat.

Princess Michael was wearing the Blackamoor brooch, which is known for depicting people with dark skin as servants or slaves. Many historians consider the brooch to be deeply racist due to its offensive imagery.

When Kate Wore Gucci Backwards

It’s not unusual for members of the Royal Family to wear designer clothes that most people can’t afford, and Duchess Kate especially loves designer brands. But that doesn’t mean she always gets it right. In 2020, Kate Middleton wore a purple Gucci blouse backwards—not just once, but twice! We can understand how the confusion happened, though.

Many blouses have tie-up bows on the front, but this Gucci blouse had a bow designed to hang down the back. So, it was an easy mistake for Kate to make.

When Diana Turned a Choker Into a Headband

The late Princess Diana was no stranger to controversy. While she often ruffled feathers within the Royal Family, one fashion mistake caused a big stir among them. In 1985, Diana took an heirloom choker—a gift from Queen Elizabeth II—and turned it into a headband. It’s not every day a rebellious royal makes such a bold fashion choice, especially with a piece so closely tied to the Queen.

While the emerald jewelry looked stunning both as a headband and a choker, sources close to the Royal Family say that Diana’s bold decision didn’t sit well with the Queen.

When Diana Wore Her Black Sheep Sweater

You probably already know why Princess Diana felt like an outsider when she married into the Royal Family. The tension between Diana and the royals has been widely reported, including by Diana herself in her 1995 tell-all interview. But it seems Diana dropped hints about her feelings years before that, like in 1983 when she wore a black sheep sweater, causing quite a stir.

Many believe Diana wore the black sheep sweater to signal that she felt like the outsider in the Royal Family. Some even see it as one of her earliest cries for help, showing the public the struggles she was facing.

When Meghan Markle Showed off Her Bra

Being a member of the Royal Family means following strict fashion rules, which often involve wearing modest clothing that doesn’t show too much skin. Meghan Markle faced criticism in 2018 when she wore a grey dress that seemed modest and royal at first. However, a closer look revealed why it sparked controversy.

Although Meghan Markle’s bra wasn’t visible, the outline of it was clear, which is a big fashion no-no for royals. Fans were especially outraged because she wore the outfit while meeting the President of Ireland, making the fashion slip-up even more noticeable.

When Diana Wore Her ‘Revenge Dress’

Princess Diana’s “revenge dress” is one of the most iconic fashion moments in history. After her divorce from Prince Charles, Diana seemed to break all the royal fashion rules by wearing a figure-hugging little black dress that turned heads. She wore this dress in 1994, and it still gets talked about to this day.

While the world saw it as a major fashion win, it’s believed the Royal Family viewed it as a fashion fail. They would never have allowed her to show that much skin, as it went against their usual modesty standards.

When the Wind Blew Up Kate’s Skirt

Did you know that royal women aren’t allowed to have bare legs? When they wear dresses or skirts, they must wear tights or pantyhose, a rule enforced by the late Queen Elizabeth II. If you’ve ever wondered why the Queen was so strict about this, just look at this fashion fail! The photo was taken over a decade ago when Duchess Kate wore a tweed jacket and matching skirt to a royal event, breaking this fashion rule.

Out of nowhere, the wind blew up Kate’s skirt, almost exposing her to the world! Luckily, she was wearing tights at the time, which saved her from what could have been a royal fashion disaster.

When Diana Wore Body Armor

Although Princess Diana faced challenges within the Royal Family, she easily found a place in the hearts of her fans. People admired her caring and charitable nature, which was evident in 1997 when she traveled to Angola to protest land mines with the Halo Trust. When this picture was released, both the press and the royals took notice.

While the photo made fans adore the People’s Princess even more, her wearing body armor and posing for the picture seemed to suggest she was taking a political stance—something that royals aren’t allowed to do.

When Kate May Have Worn Real Fur Gloves

Duchess Kate and Prince William both love skiing, and on the rare occasion they get time for a family vacation, they head to the mountains to enjoy the slopes. While these trips usually go smoothly, in 2016, Kate faced criticism when PETA questioned the gloves she was wearing.

Although it was never confirmed whether the gloves were made of real fur, PETA was outraged at the thought that the Duchess would wear something like that. However, the Royal Family chose not to comment on the situation.

When Harry Showed off the Holes in His Shoes

Although Prince Harry has stepped away from the Royal Family and is no longer a working royal, he’s still incredibly wealthy. That means he can easily buy new shoes when his old ones wear out. But in 2018, he was spotted wearing a pair of holey shoes, proving that even a royal prince can be reluctant to part with his favorite pair.

To make matters worse, Prince Harry wore these worn-out shoes to a wedding with Meghan Markle by his side. Let’s hope he threw them out the very next day!

When Kate Had to Stop Her Dress Blowing up

Although female members of the Royal Family can wear pants if they choose, Duchess Kate rarely does. She usually prefers dresses and skirts for a more feminine look. While she often pulls off this style, sometimes the wind works against her. In 2016, for example, she had a close call when her dress nearly blew up in the wind, and she had to quickly stop it from happening.

Kate had her very own Marilyn Monroe moment and had to bend down to stop her dress from blowing up. Luckily, she managed to catch the fabric in time and avoided a wardrobe mishap that could have exposed her to the world.

When Meghan Didn’t Wear Pantyhose

You probably don’t need us to tell you that Meghan Markle isn’t the most-loved member of the Royal Family. She has faced constant criticism over the years, starting long before her marriage to Prince Harry. In fact, even when they announced their engagement, she faced backlash. While some fans admired her monochromatic fashion choices for the announcement, others quickly pointed out that she had already broken royal fashion rules.

The late Queen Elizabeth II insisted that every female member of the Royal Family wear pantyhose with dresses. However, when Meghan Markle wore this particular dress, the pantyhose were noticeably missing, breaking one of the Queen’s fashion rules.

When Princess Diana Wrinkled Her Wedding Dress

Princess Diana’s wedding dress was a huge hit in the ’80s with its puffed sleeves and voluminous design. However, the dress became wrinkled because she sat too long in her carriage, which wasn’t part of the design.

Reports say the designer of Diana’s dress felt “faint” when she saw how wrinkled it had become. She was “horrified” to see it looking so different from what they had originally intended.

When Kate’s Midriff Was Exposed

Duchess Kate is often praised for her impeccable style, especially in post-birth photos where she always looks chic. However, in 2013, she had a rare fashion slip-up while playing volleyball against her husband for a press event. While fans admired her sports skills, they weren’t as impressed when her shirt rode up during the game.

Most people understood that such a movement would lead to a fashion slip-up, but the press were quick to criticize the Duchess for showing too much skin.

When Meghan’s Skirt Became See-Through

Trying on clothes in a fitting room doesn’t always give you the full picture, especially under real sunlight. In 2023, Meghan Markle found herself in an awkward situation during a photo opportunity. While wearing a pleated Givenchy skirt that seemed modest indoors, the sun exposed more than she intended, causing an unexpected fashion mishap.

Unfortunately, the sunlight made the skirt see-through, revealing Meghan’s bare legs and underwear. As you can imagine, this didn’t sit well with the more conservative members of the Royal Family.

When Kate’s Underwear Shone Through Her Dress

A dress might look stunning and modest in natural lighting, but it’s a whole different story under the flashing lights of cameras. Duchess Kate learned this the hard way over a decade ago when she wore a black dress. The paparazzi’s bright lights shone through the fabric, revealing the sheer undergarments she was wearing underneath.

When the photos appeared in newspapers, some fans were outraged to see the new Duchess wearing something so risque. However, it was never Kate’s intention to wear something like that—it was simply an unfortunate result of the lighting.

When Kate Wore a Green Dress

We know what you’re thinking: Duchess Kate’s dress looks modest, stylish, and stunning, right? We agree! But while the dress would have been fine for many occasions, it caused a fashion disaster at the 2018 BAFTA Awards. Attendees wore black in solidarity with the #MeToo movement, and when Kate showed up in green, fans were not happy.

Of course, this likely had to do with the fact that royals are expected to remain politically neutral. However, fans did notice the black belt that accompanied Kate’s green dress, which seemed like a subtle nod to the #MeToo movement.

When Camilla’s Dress Blew up in the Wind

Kate Middleton isn’t the only royal to have a Marilyn Monroe moment—Camilla Parker-Bowles had her own in 2018. While attending Princess Charlotte’s christening, the wind blew up her sky blue dress, which had been praised by fashion experts. It was an unfortunate mishap that she hadn’t anticipated.

To make matters worse, Camilla was also wearing a large hat and holding a purse at the time, leaving her with too many things to manage. She just didn’t have enough hands to keep everything in place.

When Meghan Didn’t Remove Her Tailor’s Stitch

Are you familiar with a tailor’s stitch? You’ll often find these stitches on coats and in pockets. They are used to temporarily hold fabric pieces together while the item is on the hanger, waiting to be sold. When you wear the item for the first time, you remove the stitch, allowing the fabric pieces to separate as intended.

Fans quickly noticed in 2018 that Meghan Markle hadn’t removed the tailor’s stitch on her coat. While it’s not a major fashion faux pas, it did annoy many fans who were paying attention to the details.

When Prince Philip Wore a Kilt

The Royal Family has always shown their love for Scotland. The Queen enjoyed spending time at Balmoral, and Prince William even attended university there. Prince Philip also had a fondness for Scotland, proven in 2012 when he wore a kilt to the Highland Games. However, it seems he forgot about the kilt when he sat down next to his wife, leading to an awkward moment.

In an eye-watering moment, Prince Philip unknowingly spread his legs, allowing the world to see up his kilt. Thankfully, the late Queen quickly noticed and told him to rearrange his legs, avoiding a major wardrobe mishap.

When Queen Elizabeth II Broke Her Purse

No outfit was complete for Queen Elizabeth II without a purse, and she was often praised for her elegant choices. However, in 2010, practicality caught up with her when the strap of her purse broke at a high-profile event. The Queen had to deal with the aftermath, proving even royals face these everyday mishaps.

In true queenly fashion, she tried to brush it off and act as though nothing had happened. However, the cameras caught the moment, and the pictures were shared worldwide for everyone to see.

When Princess Mary Got Her Shoe Stuck

It’s not just the British Royal Family that faces fashion disasters. Royals across the border have their moments too. In 2017, Princess Mary of Denmark had a wardrobe mishap when her heel got caught in a crack in the pavement. She ended up standing barefoot on the dirty sidewalk after wearing beautiful high heels to a public event.

Princess Mary had to bend down and scoop her shoe out from the crack herself, and we have to admire her for handling it without asking a royal assistant to step in. It was a down-to-earth moment that showed her practicality, even in a tricky situation!

When Kate’s Dress Came Unwrapped

One thing you might know about Duchess Kate is her love for wrap dresses. Over the years, she’s sparked a trend, with many of her fans opting for similar styles. But in 2013, she showed the world that wearing such a dress can be risky—especially when you’re one of the most famous women in the world. Her dress came unwrapped, and the whole world saw it.

Meghan was attending an Action on Addiction event when this fashion faux pas occurred. She had to quickly tie her dress back up to avoid a major wardrobe disaster.

When Meghan Wore a Creased Wedding Dress

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s wedding day was certainly unforgettable. It was the day she became the Duchess of Sussex and an official member of the Royal Family. However, some fans remember the day for a fashion faux pas—Meghan’s wedding dress was wrinkled, and many were quick to criticize the new duchess for it.

Although Meghan didn’t seem bothered by the wrinkles, it was later revealed that the dress had to be altered before the wedding to allow her to breathe. This alteration likely caused the wrinkles to form on her big day.

When Camilla’s Slip Was Exposed by the Wind

As we’ve seen, royal women often face mishaps due to the natural world. To prevent embarrassment from the wind blowing up their dresses, many wear slips underneath. But even with that extra layer, it can still be awkward when the public catches a glimpse of it. That’s exactly what happened to Camilla in 2018 when she attended the NHS Heroes Awards.

Camilla looked stunning in her dress at the event, but the wind caused trouble for both her hair and her outfit. To make matters worse, one strong gust exposed the slip under her dress, adding an unexpected fashion mishap to the day.

When Princess Anne Wore This Pantsuit

Let’s be honest, Princess Anne isn’t typically known for setting fashion trends. While her clothing choices have rarely been bad, they’ve also rarely been groundbreaking. However, she caused quite a stir in 1973 when she wore a blue linen pantsuit. The outfit shocked so many people that it made headlines worldwide.

While pantsuits are common today, they weren’t the norm in the 1970s—especially for a member of the Royal Family. Many people at the time felt that it was an inappropriate outfit for Princess Anne to wear, given the traditional expectations for royal attire.

When Prince William Wore Holey Shoes

As the current heir to the throne, all eyes are on Prince William every time he steps out. His body language and clothing choices are closely scrutinized by both the press and the public. That’s why it was such a surprise when he showed up to the 2019 World Economic Forum with holes in his shoes. In fact, he seemed to unintentionally highlight the holes while being interviewed by David Attenborough.

Although fans wanted to listen to what they both had to say, most people were distracted by the large hole in the sole of William’s shoes. How had he been allowed to leave the palace like that?

When Diana Wore a Low-Cut Dress

All eyes were on Princess Diana in 1981, the year she married then-Prince Charles and became a global sensation. With the press and paparazzi eagerly waiting for her to slip up, it was unfortunate that her fashion faux pas came when she wore a strapless gown to a royal event.

While the dress seemed modest when Princess Diana was standing, she inadvertently showed cleavage as she got out of the car. As the pictures spread, fans were outraged by the unintentional fashion mishap.

When Kate Wrinkled Her Dress

Before any member of the Royal Family steps out, you can bet their clothes are carefully ironed and steamed. But even with all that preparation, wrinkles can still happen. This was proven in 2023 when Duchess Kate attended Center Court at Wimbledon. After hours of sitting and watching tennis, her once-ironed dress was covered in wrinkles.

While wrinkles are hard to avoid, many fans questioned why Duchess Kate would wear fabric that creased so easily at an event that involved a lot of sitting.

When Diana Wore a See-Through Skirt

While many members of the Royal Family do their best to avoid fashion disasters, sometimes they’re simply unavoidable. Princess Diana experienced this in 1980 when she was photographed volunteering at a nursery. She wore a long-sleeved shirt, a knitted vest, and a knee-length skirt, which at first glance appeared modest and suitable for a soon-to-be royal.

But when the sun hit Diana, it made her skirt see-through, exposing her legs underneath. As you can imagine, the press had a field day with these photos, making it a major fashion mishap for the future princess.