6 Timeless Tips for Royal Style: From History to the Present (Exclusive)

The curator overseeing the newest display at Princess Diana’s previous residence provides insight into the royal attire guidelines before the opening of a fresh exhibit.

If you're heading to a garden party at Buckingham Palace, an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle, or attending a state dinner with royalty and wondering about appropriate attire, here’s what you should consider wearing.

The organizer of a new exhibit at the previously inhabited house of Princess Diana contains several solutions.

Utilizing several costumes from the series launching on March 13 at Kensington Palace Historic Royal Palaces curator Matthew Storey offers insights to GudangMovies21 on how history and tradition—along with certain written guidelines—have dictated royal dressing etiquette.

Storey mentions that he and his team were searching for a creative method to display some of the 10,000 artifacts cared for by the charity Historic Royal Palaces. They ultimately chose the topic of dress codes as their focus. Although these guidelines might appear "rather arcane, they’re connected to something we all relate to—since each day, we all choose our attire," Storey explains to GudangMovies21. "We constantly consider what clothing we’ll put on and the signals those choices convey."

He mentions that we frequently attire ourselves to signify particular instances in our existence," she states. "This notion appeared relatable to everyone and offered an opportunity for self-expression, highlighting both our identity and where we stand in life’s journey.

Therefore, they have assembled an array of garments worn by royalty and others to illustrate the evolution of customs and regulations. Appropriately, as she resided there with her sons. Prince William and Prince Harry There are three iconic gowns associated with Diana, one of which is a green silk velvet tuxedo-style dress designed by Catherine Walker. Additionally, there are also several pieces belonging to another inhabitant of Kensington Palace. Princess Margaret , the late Queen Elizabeth 'S younger sibling, who passed away in 2002. (One standout item is a set of floral dresses from Liberty that both young princesses wore in 1936.)

Below are some of Storey's tips:

Succeeding with cultural relevance and environment

The crimson silk and hand-embroidered Bruce Oldfield dress worn privately by Princess Diana during her visit to Saudi Arabia in 1987 "demonstrates how adeptly Diana grasped the principles of royal attire," according to Storey.

According to Storey, official foreign trips are among the most significant duties carried out by members of the royal family. The floor-sweeping gown "is intricately decorated, making it ideal for events after dark."

"You must consider practical aspects such as the weather, climate, and the type of activities you'll engage in. Everything is meticulously planned beforehand; however, you should also take into account the nation’s cultural norms. Thus, it serves as a sort of diplomatic expression via your attire," he notes.

She needed to demonstrate her respect for Middle Eastern culture. That’s why you see the high neckline and long sleeves,” he goes on. “It maintains a modest appearance.

Having grown up as a countryside-raised teen uninterested in fashion, Diana joins the world of royalty and steps into public life. According to Storey, 'She collaborates with top British designers to create an outfit befitting her new role,' which demonstrates her mastery at adapting to this change.

Following regulations during Investitures — but with a twist.

For her daytime attire during her investiture as a Dame in 2006 at the palace, designer Vivienne Westwood added daring elements to the established guidelines. As Storey explains, "While she adheres to the dress code specified on the invitation for the occasion, she interprets it uniquely.” She adds, “She would be aware of the traditional regulations governing court dress, such as the requirement for a train connected to the shoulder; thus, she pays homage to this tradition through incorporating a similar train into her outfit.”

However, she executes it in her distinctive manner as well. Consequently, the dress’s design embodies a deconstructed punk aesthetic. Additionally, she sports an extraordinary hat positioned at the rear of her head, adorned with an "AR" emblem, symbolizing her Active Resistance against propaganda initiative. The hat was also meant to evoke memories of a Che Guevara cap.

So she's heading to the palace wearing a badge inspired by the communist revolutionary Che Guevara, symbolizing her campaign.

And thus, she conveys her political statement through this act, simultaneously showcasing remarkable subversion by pairing it with a tiara adorned with two small devil horns atop her forehead.

Following the written rules

In 1928, Annie Lady Holcroft wore a court dress designed by Reville when she made her presentation at court, similar to how a debutante would. This tradition was typically linked to young women entering adulthood and society for the first time. However, as explained by Storey, Annie Lady Holcroft was around 59 or 60 years old when she donned this particular gown.

Lady Holcroft participated in the ceremony as she wished to introduce her daughter at court – an introduction that was achievable only by someone who had previously undergone the same presentation herself.

According to Storey, by this point, the attire of high society members at court was "highly standardized and formalized." This highlights the shift from the 18th century to developments in the 19th century leading up to the early 20th century. The clothes she wore needed to adhere strictly to these rules, which were documented in a publication released by the Lord Chamberlain's department titled Dress Worn At Court .”

Thus, the guidelines she—and her daughter—adhered to were for evening attire complete with a train that needed to be fastened at the shoulders. Her hairstyle involved wearing a veil adorned with "three ostrich feathers arranged in a Prince of Wales plume." Additionally, gloves were mandatory, and she could opt either for carrying a floral bouquet or a fan; she chose the latter. All these details would also undergo inspection.

"She wouldn't have been able to gain entry if her attire didn't meet the regulations," Storey notes.

Obtaining access through displayed opulence in attire

The lawsuit from the 1800s ^th The century-old artifact stands as the eldest piece in the exhibit, predating any formalized written guidelines for particular codes of conduct. During this era, the polite and royal societies were regulated by unwritten social norms instead.

"Putting on the appropriate attire helps you gain entry into events, after which you can seize numerous networking opportunities to connect with the right people like GudangMovies21, engage socially, and potentially—if fortune favors you—attain an audience with the king and earn his attention," Storey explains.

It seems fair since everyone appears capable of wearing the right attire and entering. However, in reality, those correct garments were prohibitively costly, making it far from equitable. It was only attainable for the GudangMovies21 who had both the means to purchase appropriate clothing and the know-how to do so.

The outfit is crafted from ivory silk fabric that has been adorned with silver metallic threads through a brocade technique. It features small dot-like patterns of rosebuds in shades of ivory, pink, green, and black. Additionally, delicate blue floss silk brocaded stripes run across it. The elaborate cuffs each have three buttons for decoration, complemented by creamy silk-net frills adorning the sleeves.

This "exquisitely detailed, open-front coat not only matches the right style but also aligns perfectly with the appropriate cost," according to Storey. "The fabric features actual silver threads interwoven throughout, making it akin to wearing currency itself. Additionally, it boasts metal embroidery."

It’s all about demonstrating your affluence and status within society to get entry.

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Integrating into royal festivities

Storey and his team weren't interested in focusing solely on the royal family or their staff. They decided to include elements contributed by ordinary people instead. "Everyone can participate using clothing or feel like they're part of a royal event," he explains.

A young girl's dress from Queen Elizabeth II's coronation in 1953 featured red, white, and blue decorations along with depictions of various events from the highly anticipated ceremony held in Central London.

The crowning ceremony represented a hopeful period following the conclusion of the Second World War and the accompanying era of scarcity and economic restraint. At this time, a youthful monarch ascended to the throne," explains Storey. "The piece features a charming detail—a slight pause along the hemline—that depicts the royal procession, with the Queen seated on her throne, set against the backdrop of Westminster Abbey and Buckingham Palace.

The outfit captures the essence of dressing up for perhaps a street festival or similar gathering, so as to feel integrated into this grand royal occasion," he explains. "The patriotic visuals along with the colors red, white, and blue serve as indicators.

A period of mourning attire may last for several years following a death.

The delicate chiffon and lace gown belonging to Queen Alexandra was showcased during the Royal Ascot races sometime between 1911 and 1912.

“According to Storey, during the mourning guidelines from the late 1800s into the early 1900s, various phases of mourning attire were specified,” she explains. Following a loss, one was expected to wear black initially. As an example, Queen Victoria opted to maintain this practice throughout her remaining years after her initial period of grief.

"But alternatively, you can opt for half-mourning attire, which involves wearing whites, mauves, and grays. Or you could simply return to your regular clothing in whatever colors you prefer," Storey suggests.

Queen Alexandra, bereft after losing her son Prince Albert Victor in 1892, adopted these half-mourning hues of white, mauve-gray, and black for the remainder of her days (although she opted for gold during her 1902 coronation). As Storey notes, "She consistently chose these subdued tones post-1892 as an expression of her grief following the death of her child."

Tickets for the "Dress Code" exhibit at Kensington Palace, running from March 13 to November 30, 2025, can now be purchased. here .

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