Royal Style: Bring on the Summer Bling!

[Maireas]

Royal Style: Summer's lease will soon be here, as will summer style, we hope!

My parents went to a garden party at BP in the 80’s. My dad was an immigrant, that hadn’t had a pair of new shoes, till he was 12 years old.

he was still amazed that he went from that, to a garden party with the Queen.

Was a real highlight for him, even though both he and my mum were/are republicans! 😁

That's a lovely story. Was he invited because of charity work?

Yes and he did a lot of work for the community, which carried on till he died a few years ago.

That's so nice - I think it's good to acknowledge what ordinary people do, rather than celebs.

Yes even if they are republicans 😁😁

Yes, absolutely! In a sense it's about societal recognition, as represented by the Monarchy, but that's a whole other thread and this is about the style!
Great story though.

My republican aunt went along with my uncle when he was invited to a garden party and rebelled by walking around barefoot! She wasn't impressed by Diana either - said she had far too much makeup on. It was the 80s after all...

I'm not a monarchist but I would probably go along to a garden party out of sheer curiosity!

I used to walk past BP on my way home, and loved the Garden Party days, seeing everyone all dressed up and excited at having been. It was often quite cold, being the beginning of May, and I often felt for the women who’d been over-optimistic. But they still seemed to have enjoyed themselves.

A friend went in about 1976: her father was invited and could take his wife ‘and any unmarried daughters’ IIRC.

Agree. This is about the clothes, which is why it's in S&B. There is an entire royal family board to discuss other issues!

Here's another older royal lady who I think is very elegant and, like Birgitte, she's Danish too!

https://www.newmyroyals.com/2026/05/princess-benedikte-attends-reopening-of.html

Benedickte is very stylish - I love the pink wrap coat and the hat. Touch of the Max, but just slightly less Pringle.

https://www.hellomagazine.com/royalty/900655/peter-phillips-fiancee-harriet-sperling-family-outing-one-month-before-wedding-day-exclusive-photos/
Peter Phillips and Harriet Sperling looking nice and casual at Badminton. I like both of their outfits.

I went to a Garden Party about 15 years ago when I was young, beautiful and had a figure to wear a sensational dress and huge pink hat! It was fabulous, can't remember the ques, I did eat a ton of sandwiches and tea from disappointing cups. On my visit it hailed, my shoes were ruined. But I still loved every second of it, and adored seeing all the fancy outfits.

@FallenNight You've made me want to see a picture of your huge pink hat!

I'll bet in May the royals wear thermals underneath their finery. I'd definitely have a dress with a coat to match

I thought Sophie’s dress for a Florence Nightingale service this week was perfect. Really like her bag too - she’s wearing some fab outfits at the moment.

I agree, @RomainingCalm- that's a really nice look, I like the cut and fit of the dress. Good clutch and shoes.

Sophie seems to favour a longer length.

Sophie is the queen (duchess?) of the shirt dress! That one has a really nice shape and suits her. If I were her, I'd get it in a couple more colours! The navy is perfect for a commemoration service, but a softer and lighter blue would also look good on her.

Sophie was in Denmark last week meeting Fred and Ursula von der Leyden, and looking very smart in a Victoria Beckham trouser suit.

I hate my legs, even when I was a skinny minny (sadly no more) and younger, definitely no more 😁 I always wore knee length or below. Now I’m in midi dresses.

@RomainingCalm I think that’s a great outfit on Sophie. Love the shoes!

Catherine has arrived in Italy. Wearing something light blue. I haven’t seen a full length photo yet, only one of her from the back, crouching down to talk to some children. Can’t tell if it’s a skirt or trousers 🤷‍♀️

I saw that on the BBC, I loved the picture of all the hat wearing ladies watching from a window. They have style.

Hope this links works