The royal family and the Wimbledon Championships go together like coffee and croissants – a match made in heaven.
No pun intended there, but in all seriousness, there is so much to get excited about when the annual tennis tournament rolls around each year.
Firstly, the top notch tennis provides peak viewing pleasure. Secondly, a good old fashioned gander at Rafael Nadal’s guns never goes amiss. And thirdly? Well, a right royal watching spectacle, that’s what.
We don’t use the phrase lightly.
The royals have been affiliated with the elite tournament for decades, with the to-be King George V and Queen Mary making the first royal appearance on the Wimbledon greens back in 1907.
Yep, this two-week extravaganza is a royal tale as old as time, not to mention a quintessential part of the English summer – Pimm’s anyone?
With this in mind, it’s no wonder the tournament has brought about some of our favourite fashion moments in royal history.
Kate’s yellow Dolce & Gabbana dress is a key exhibit in her style Hall of Fame (the one that exists rent free in our minds, at least…), and who could forget Princess Diana’s perfect pale pink ensemble in 1993?
To honour the royal fashion display that is Wimbledon, we decided to take a look back at the best style moments from over the years.
And look sharp – the 2022 tournament is underway and gearing up to be a right sight for royal eyes…
01
Wearing a gorgeous fitted floral design, The Queen was the epitome of Fifties summer style at the 1957 Wimbledon Championships.
02
Back in 1969, OG royal fashion icon Princess Anne went all out in a hat and collared jacket combo that was oh-so-sixties.
03
The Queen was one of many to make pink the new, well… white at the prestigious tournament. She’s pictured here in 1977.
04
Pre-wedding to Prince Charles in 1981, Diana attended the championships alongside Prince Albert of Monaco in this standout blue printed design. It was the first of many showstopping looks the Princess donned over the years.
05
Diana’s printed purple design in 1991 caught every eye in the house as she attended with a young Prince William.
06
And how could we forget this glorious polka-dot look on the People’s Princess?
07
1993 was definitely Diana’s year – she added this gorgeous blazer with gold button detailing to the perfect pink ensemble.
08
One more for the road – honestly, we can’t get enough of this look.
09
In 1994, Diana’s black and white double-breasted lapel dress was a style winner.
10
Newly married to her Prince in 2011, Duchess Catherine kicked off royal life at the tennis in peak style, wearing this gorgeous Temperley London dress.
11
The unique tiered design was the sign of many fashion-forward things to come from the newly minted royal.
12
Kate went nautical in 2012, wearing this chic knitted Alexander McQueen design.
13
In 2017, the Duchess’ Catherine Walker capped-sleeve floral dress was summer perfection.
14
15
In 2018, Kate’s bright yellow Dolce & Gabbana dress was a showstopper – for obvious reasons.
16
Of course, let’s not forget Duchess Meghan’s royal debut at Wimbledon shortly after her wedding to Prince Harry in 2018. This shirt and pant ensemble by Ralph Lauren practically catapulted stripes to the top of the trend list.
17
Get a load of those pants! Yes to the flare.
18
It’s not just Kate and Meghan who make a fashion statement at Wimbledon these days – Catherine’s younger sister Pippa is also a regular fixture in the tournament’s stylish lot. Her 2019 Stella McCartney ensemble was the perfect example.
19
Shortly after giving birth to her son Archie, Meghan upped the fashion stakes in this crisp white shirt and pleated skirt designed by Hugo Boss as she watched the Women’s singles final take place in 2019.
20
Kate joined Meghan in yet another winning design – this green Dolce & Gabbana dress is, quite frankly, what dreams are made of.
21
Kate’s Suzannah London dress from 2019 proved she’s never, and likely will never lose her iconic flair for Wimbledon style. Bring on the rest, we say!
22
23
The duchess returned to public life after self-isolating from COVID in 2021 by wearing this green cap-sleeve dress by Emilia Wickstead – and Wimbleton couldn’t get enough of the earthy hue.
24
Kate stole the show during the final day of the tournament in 2021 when she wore this light pink belted number by designer Beulah. It was one of her best looks of the year.
25
Zara and Mike Tindall complemented each other perfectly as they led the royal arrivals for 2022 Wimbledon. Opting for white shades, Zara looked casual and classy in a breezy linen shirt dress, while Mike was oh-so dapper in his cream blazer and dark pants.
26
Making her 2022 Wimbledon debut, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge stunned in a recycled blue pleated Alessandra Rich dress with white polka dots, complete with white pump heels, Mulberry bag, and baroque pearl drop earrings.
