Inside Queen Camilla’s royal style evolution: from her take on Princess Diana’s ‘revenge dress’ to wearing Anna Valentine for her wedding to King Charles, and slaying in Vivienne Westwood and Chanel

Nov 18 , 2023

Queen Camilla’s fashion sense has undergone a fascinating evolution, from making waves with a “revenge dress” that aped Princess Diana’s, to rocking Vivienne Westwood, Anna Valentine and Bruce Oldfield. Photo: Getty Images

Camilla Parker Bowles slowly went from royal mistress and tabloid villain to a well-respected Queen Consort. And, much like the transformation of her public persona, her wardrobe has undergone quite the shift too.

Throughout the years, the 76-year-old’s style has continuously changed, while mostly keeping a low sartorial profile. From attending royal commitments and charity galas, to film premieres and international tours, Queen Camilla has firmly cemented her presence in the royal family while winning over the hearts of the British public. Not only did her years of dedicated service earn her the approval of the late Queen Elizabeth, but it’s also allowed us to witness her subtle but impactful style evolution. However, she still remains loyal to her favourite designers and brands.

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Camilla Parker Bowles, before the crown

Back in the 90s, Queen Camilla wasn’t afraid to experiment with fashion, often donning bright and bold colours – and she wasn’t afraid to show skin either.

Her most stand-out fashion moment was undoubtedly when she attended a party at The Ritz in London in 1995, sensationally wearing what was widely considered her version of Princess Diana’s “revenge dress”.

Diana famously wore the dress shortly after news of Prince Charles’ affair with Camilla became public. Camilla seemingly decided to emulate the look, even opting for a gemstone choker similar to the jewels Diana had worn. Not surprisingly, Camilla made headlines for the ensemble.

Camilla Parker Bowles attends The Prince’s Foundation Gala Dinner in London, in 2000. Photo: Getty Images

The early noughties saw the then-prince’s girlfriend experimenting with more patterns, fabrics and skin-revealing numbers.

In summer 2000, Camilla made an appearance at a gala dinner celebrating The Prince’s Trust wearing a fitted pale-pink satin gown, complete with glittering beaded detailing.

Camilla Parker Bowles attending the Mamma Mia opening at the Prince of Wales Theatre, in 2004. Photo: Getty Images

She hasn’t been afraid to dress for the theme of an occasion either. For the opening of the Mamma Mia musical at the Prince of Wales Theatre in June 2004, Camilla opted for a Mediterranean-inspired gown with a matching silk shawl, which she accessorised with pearl earrings and a cream handbag.

Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall’s life as a royal

Camilla opted for Anna Valentine for her wedding to then Prince Charles in 2005. Photo: Getty Images

Everything changed in 2005 for Camilla when she married Prince Charles and became the Duchess of Cornwall. For her wedding day, she kept it simple in a cream Anna Valentine dress with matching overcoat.

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As Camilla settled into the family as a working royal, she started wearing more evening gowns as her formal engagements increased. But the biggest change was that she finally had access to the royal family’s jewels, including extravagant diamond tiaras, necklaces and earrings.

Then Prince Charles and Camilla, then Duchess of Cornwall, attend the royal world premiere of Alice in Wonderland in London, in 2010. Photo: Getty Images

That doesn’t mean the duchess wasn’t willing to experiment and go against certain royal fashion expectations. For the London premiere of 2010’s Alice in Wonderland, Camilla showed up on the red carpet wearing the avant-garde designer Vivienne Westwood. The fitted, turquoise gown and matching silk cape certainly took the fashion world by surprise.

King Charles and Queen Camilla arrive at a state dinner at the Château de Versailles, near Paris, with French President Emmanuel Macron and first lady Brigitte Macron, in September. Photo: Reuters

Throughout her years as a royal, one thing is for sure: Camilla’s cape dress has been a wardrobe staple she is clearly fond of. During her recent visit to France in September, she once again opted for a blue cape gown as she posed with the French first lady, Brigitte Macron.

Fashion Week, darlings

Camilla, then Duchess of Cornwall attends London Fashion Week for the first time, wearing a navy and white long-sleeved dress by designer Bruce Oldfield, in February 2019. Photo: Getty Images

Royal appearances at fashion weeks were once incredibly rare, but that all changed in 2018 when Queen Elizabeth sat in the front row next to Anna Wintour at the show of designer Richard Quinn, who was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Award for British Design.

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The Duchess of Cornwall followed suit in 2019, making her very first appearance at London Fashion Week. Standing in for her mother-in-law and seated next to British Vogue editor Edward Enninful, the duchess presented the second Queen Elizabeth II Award to Bethany Williams, a British designer who focuses on sustainable and ethical fashion practices.

Camilla, then Duchess of Cornwall stood in for Queen Elizabeth at London Fashion Week in 2019, the monarch having attended the previous year. Photo: Getty Images

For her big fashion week debut, the then duchess opted for a navy and white long-sleeved dress by couturier Bruce Oldfield, completing the look with a pearl necklace, black heels and a black clutch.

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King Charles and Queen Camilla pose with French President Emmanuel Macron and first lady Brigitte Macron at the Élysée Palace in Paris, in September. Photo: AFP

When Camilla opted for designer Anna Valentine for her wedding to Charles in April 2005, little did we know it would become her label of choice for years to come. Anna Valentine is widely known as the Queen Consort’s favourite dressmaker, with Camilla having worn dresses by the designer to both Prince William’s wedding to Kate Middleton, and Prince Harry’s wedding to Meghan Markle.

Camilla, then Duchess of Cornwall attends a service to mark the centenary of the burial of the Unknown Warrior, in London, in November 2020. Photo: Getty Images

When it comes to handbags, Camilla owns just about every brand under the sun, but it’s her love for Chanel bags that has remained unchanged over the years. For royal engagements, the Queen Consort most often turns to Chanel for her understated yet classic arm candy.

Expert insight into her fashion transformation

Queen Camilla with her son Tom Parker Bowles and ex-daughter-in-law, the stylist Sara Parker Bowles. Photo: @saraparkerbowles/Instagram

The Queen Consort’s former daughter-in-law, Sara Parker Bowles, who was married to her son Tom for 16 years, is a successful stylist who has worked as a fashion editor for the likes of British Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar.

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During an interview with the British press, she shared her thoughts and insights on Camilla’s fashion makeover. “I don’t think Camilla gave all that much thought to fashion before she became queen and was thrust centre stage, so what I love most about her style is how she’s getting it right: trusting her instincts and staying true to herself,” she said.

“It’s a weird thing suddenly to be held up as a clothes horse in your 70s, but instead of shrinking, she’s embraced the attention and managed the inevitable criticism in her own, inimitable, remarkable way, and she’s just having fun and enjoying her looks. I couldn’t applaud that more.”

Royalty

Condemned as the ‘other woman’ back in the 90s, the Queen Consort’s fashion sense and public persona have both transformed as she even won the approval of the late Queen Elizabeth
Camilla Parker Bowles made waves with a ‘revenge dress’ that aped Princess Diana’s, and soon came to love her designer labels, including Vivienne Westwood, Anna Valentine and Bruce Oldfield