Celeb Style

Trooping the Colour…ful outfits: The best royal looks from Britain’s most iconic parade over the years

Immortalising the event in its own right.
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Whenever June rolls around each year, there are several things we immediately think of.

Our winter wardrobes (for obvious reasons), the fact that we’re already half-way through the year (again, for despairingly obvious reasons) and, of course, one of the biggest events on the royal calendar – Trooping the Colour.

Oh yes, a day that serves up a healthy dose of pomp, fanfare and a royal spectacle – from the very balcony of Buckingham Palace, no less – this is always going to be a day we none blue-blooded folk will gladly flock to feast our eyeballs on.

And there’s one overriding element to the day’s events that always keeps us on our toes – the outfits.

Held in honour of the Queen’s birthday every year, the annual event occurs at Buckingham Palace and takes place before a regal procession of horse-drawn carriages, many of which host the royal family members themselves as they make their way into the location.

Then comes the iconic flyover, which coincides with the moment the entire royal family step out onto the balcony together to watch, and wave to onlookers.

Over the years, the event has seen many a colourful moment – and we’re not just talking about Prince George’s hilarious displays or Prince Louis’ frantic wave (never forget that 2019 spectacle…).

Oh yes, the outfits are what truly put the cherry on top of the fun-filled day.

After two years without the event due to COVID, royal fans are thrilled to enjoy the procession once more in 2022.

Keep scrolling for our favourite Trooping the Colour outfits of all time.

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01

A royal spectacle indeed. In 1964, the Queen set the precedent for the annual event by wearing official garb like her husband Philip. In the above picture, she holds newborn son Prince Edward.

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02

Princess Diana was a fashion icon at the event from the get-go. Pictured here in 1982 shortly after her wedding to Prince Charles and pregnant to first son William, the beautiful Princess opted for a bold green maternity dress with a matching hat.

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03

In 1987, Diana and in-law Sarah Ferguson swapped fashion notes by opting for brimmed hats during the annual event. We’re particularly fond of Diana’s stark white look, which looked timelessly classy and chic.

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04

A year later, Diana was back to her green roots, wearing this iconic peppermint and white ensemble, which adorably matched with a cheeky Prince Harry.

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05

The royal women were back at it again in 1991 – Diana and Fergie’s ensembles were a 1990s fashion peak.

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06

Following in her mother Sarah’s footsteps, Beatrice has always been known to make quite the fashion statement at the event throughout the years. This standout hat, worn in 2007, is case in point!

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07

Newly married to Prince William, Duchess Catherine made her grand debut in 2011 alongside in-law Camilla in a beautiful white Alexander McQueen coat.

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08

Ever the colour chameleon, Queen Elizabeth II went bold as she went home for the 2016 Trooping the Colour parade. A zesty green never goes amiss!

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09

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10

Another year, another Alexander McQueen coat for the fashion forward Kate in 2017. In a Diana mirror moment, she also subtly matched with her daughter Charlotte for the occasion.

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11

In 2018, Catherine and Camilla opted for muted ice blue tones for the spectacle. Once again, Kate’s designer of choice was Alexander McQueen – a fashion hack worth noting!

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12

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13

Duchess Meghan broke onto the Trooping the Colour scene with flying, well… colours in 2018. Mere weeks after her showstopping royal wedding to Prince Harry, Meghan’s pastel pink Carolina Herrera dress became an icon in itself.

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14

Meghan and Kate shared a sweet bonding moment during the day’s event.

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15

In 2019, Meghan made one of her first post-baby appearances after welcoming baby Archie to the royal fold just a month earlier. The Duchess’ navy blue Givenchy ensemble was the perfect, statement-making comeback outfit.

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16

Eugenie and Beatrice did nothing to quell the notion to claim that Trooping the Colour is a right royal fashion spectacle. Beatrice’s pale pink dress with black detailing was subtle, yet sweet, while Eugenie’s printed blue frock was an undeniable eye-catcher.

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17

True to tradition, Kate wore a yellow Alexander McQueen frock to the event in 2019, a look that almost (emphasis on almost) stole the show over Prince Louis’ adorable balcony debut.

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18

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19

In 2022, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge was a vision in her crisp white coat dress by Alexander McQueen. She had previously worn the outfit in 2021.

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20

Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, wore a sky blue stripy dress with pearls and a blue hat for the 2022 Trooping the Colour.

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21

For her Platinum Jubilee official birthday parade, the Queen looked distinguished in her sky blue coat and hat with floral motif trimming, but her sunglasses were a special highlight.

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