To join the royal family there is a definite list of dos and don’ts when it comes to fashion etiquette. We saw Kate Middleton transition from style staples of Ugg boots and sweatpants to a wardrobe filled with tea dresses and fascinators, and at the time of joining the royal family, Meghan Markle was required to follow the same rules. In the early days of her public relationship with Prince Harry, Meghan tried to update her wardrobe to match the standards, but even before stepping back as a senior working royal along with Prince Harry, she had a few standout fashion moments that we presume the Queen did not approve of based on our knowledge of royal fashion standards. Follow along to learn more about 19 of the risky looks Meghan Markle has worn that we’re not convinced the Queen would totally approve of:
19. Pantsuit
One of the Queen’s preferences for the Duchesses is that they opt for skirts and dresses over trousers when it comes to public engagements. Meghan Markle, however, being the feminist and fashionista she is, overlooked this rule multiple times throughout her public royal appearances. A trouser set can be just as sophisticated and elegant as a dress, and we’re glad that Markle realizes this as well despite the Queen’s opinion!
Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage18. Leather Skirt
We’ve never seen a royal step out wearing an edgy leather outfit, until Meghan Markle that is! Royal fans, and certainly the Queen, were shocked when the Duchess of Sussex stepped out wearing this risky leather skirt in early October. While the forest green look is undeniably edgy, the great thing about it is that the leather gives off a high-fashion, sleek feel while still remaining elegant and modest enough for a Royal.
Photo by Samir Hussein/Samir Hussein/WireImage17. High Slit
On October 22, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were spotted on a casual stroll in Australia walking towards a meeting with individuals at Kingfisher Bay Resort on Fraser Island. The duo looked comfy and casual for the Australian heat, but we’re not totally sure the Queen would have approved of Markle’s breezy Reformation dress. While we actually are really big fans of this striped linen number, it didn’t seem the most appropriate choice for a royal because of its dangerously high slit! The royals tend to favor modest, conservative hemlines, and this high-slit number most definitely does not fall in that category.
Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images16. Wedges
Another one of Meghan’s Australian royal tour looks that the Queen likely wouldn’t approve is this flowery dress and espadrille combo she wore in Fiji. The Queen has openly expressed her distaste towards wedge heels, and so much so that we noticed Kate Middleton stopped wearing them entirely. Markle was clearly already resisting the preferences of the Queen even then, and we’re quite certain the Queen would scoff at her choice of footwear with this look.
Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage15. Sheer Skirt
For one of Meghan Markle’s last appearances on the Australian Royal tour, she stepped out wearing this royal blue outfit that definitely turned quite a few heads, but we’re not sure whether it was for the right reasons! Her dress was, unfortunately, completely see-through on the underside of the pleats. We’re not certain whether Markle was aware of how revealing the skirt was in the light, but one thing we do know is that the Queen most definitely wasn’t happy once these photos were released.
Dominic Lipinski/PA Images via Getty Images14. Off-The-Shoulder Necklines
Royals are always quite modest with their necklines and it’s an unspoken rule from the Queen to cover up while making public appearances. Although Markle’s off-the-shoulder number isn’t overly revealing, it was definitely a fresh take on royal style and something a little more daring. We love how she still looked polished and professional as a respectable public figure, but still incorporated trends and her own personal taste in her looks. The Queen, however, might have ahd a different opinion on Meghan’s boundary-breaking fashion tastes like this cold-shoulder top!
Photo by Ben Birchall – WPA Pool / Getty Images13. Mismatched Earrings
Meghan Markle is quite untraditional when it comes to fashion, and especially when it comes to accessories. One of the most notable style moments that broke boundaries was when she stepped out wearing two mismatched earrings. Royals typically opt for minimalist jewelry that features dainty diamonds or pearls and a look like this is definitely trendy rather than timeless, which is a royal style standard we’re not used to. Although we appreciate Meghan breaking boundaries and staying true to her own personal style, we’re not sure the Queen approved to see this trend as appropriate during a royal outing.
Photo Credit: (Left) Karwai Tang/WireImage, (Right) Anwar Hussein/WireImage12. Pants vs. Dresses
Meghan Markle definitely surprised the world when she stepped out wearing these wide leg pants for a public appearance. Previously it was expected for royal women to wear skirts and dresses for official outings, but Markle often opted for tailored pants instead. Despite joining the royal family, Markle still continued to stay true to her personal style and clothing preferences. Although some appreciated this shift forward, we’re not entirely sure the Queen would approve of Markle’s style preferences breaking royal protocol!
Doug Peters/EMPICS Entertainment11. All Black
Queen Elizabeth is known for her bright, eccentric wardrobe and almost always steps out wearing a bold pop of color. Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton has seemingly followed suit and tends to lean towards colorful pastels and bright pieces within her own wardrobe! Meghan Markle, however, once again challenged traditional royal looks early on by sticking to neutrals and a lot of black. We think she looks totally chic and minimalist with this head-to-toe black ensemble, but we’re not sure the Queen would say the same!
Photo by Samir Hussein/Samir Hussein/WireImage10. Statement Jewelry
It’s rare to see the Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton wearing exaggerated costume jewelry of any sort. Instead, the Duchess often opts for dainty diamonds or pearls, which we presumed would be a transition that Meghan Markle would pursue once she became an official royal. As everyone knows now, Meghan stayed true to herself and there were many early signs that she wasn’t going to have an easy transition through the many royal rules to follow.
Press Association9. Low Cut Neckline
Low cut necklines are a staple red carpet trend for Hollywood actresses, but this look would definitely not fly for Markle as she transitioned from celebrity to royal figure! The royals tend to opt for modest necklines and cuts, often not even showing their knees, so it was assumed Markle would not be allowed to wear skin-baring looks like this low-cut metallic number going forward. Being a political figure of such stature definitely requires a certain level of modesty, and an edgy look like this definitely does not cut it.
Photo by Jim Spellman/WireImage8. Ripped Denim
Denim isn’t completely off the table with royals, and most notably, when Kate joined the family we noticed a subtle transition into more casual streetwear when appropriate. Kate, however, often opts for polished dark denim in a tailored skinny fit that comes across rather professional. Markle definitely has her own approach when it comes to denim and was spotted on multiple occasions wearing distressed styles! Even on her first royal appearance with Prince Harry, the trendy star rocked faded jeans with slits the knees and a stringy, raw hemline. Although we love this edgy, casual look on Markle, we’re not certain the Queen would say the same!
Press Association7. Dark Nail Polish
It’s not just distressed denim or cleavage that is out of the question with the Royals, but details as minimal as nail polish are also a factor that Markle will have to take into consideration! The ever-polished Kate Middleton has shockingly never been photographed wearing nail polish and Queen Elizabeth has maintained a soft pink manicure regime for over 30 years.
Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage6. Handbag vs. Clutch
Another unspoken royal fashion rule dictated by the Queen is to always carry a clutch versus a handbag or tote. The seemingly small style choice actually has quite a large significance in terms of public appearances! The Queen and Duchess of Cambridge almost always wear a clutch, which they often grasp with two hands, to avoid shaking hands with people. Whether she was aware of this protocol or not is completely unknown, but at one of her first public appearances with Prince Harry, Markle instead opted for a burgundy and navy tote bag.
JEREMY SELWYN/AFP via Getty Images5. Short Skirts
Aside from cleavage-baring dresses, another royal style protocol surrounds dress length. Of all the Hollywood actresses, Meghan Markle has always been one the more modest side when it comes to fashion, but that’s not to say she’s by any means a stranger to a short hemline or two. By Hollywood standards, this patterned T-shirt dress is definitely modest, but in royalty, a knee-baring hemline like this wouldn’t be acceptable.
Photo by Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images4. Dramatic Smokey Eye
To go along with her edgy style, Meghan Markle is undeniably a huge fan of a gunmetal smoky eye! Prior to her royal linkage, Markle’s signature makeup look was light, glowy skin, a natural lip color, and a contrasting dark lid look. Royals such as Queen Elizabeth and Kate Middleton are huge fans of the minimalist, natural makeup look, similar to their nail color, so it was most likely a dramatic eye look like the smokey eye wasn’t getting the royal stamp of approval for Meghan during her time as a senior working royal.
Emiley Schweich/Everett Collection3. Wearing Canadian Brands
It’s an unspoken protocol that the royals support local fashion brands based out of the UK! Both Queen Elizabeth and Kate Middleton helped to put multiple British brands on the map by rocking local garments on a regular basis and helping to get British fashion brands in the public eye. Meghan Markle, however, has proven that majority of her wardrobe is Canadian-based and has no shame to rock pieces from the country in which she worked for many years.
Press Association2. Messy Bun
The royal family is known for their polished and proper ways, especially when it comes to grooming. Kate Middleton never steps out without her shiny locks perfectly coiffed or her updos tucked into a sheer hairnet, which she most likely learned from her role model Queen Elizabeth. Markle, however, proved that those prim and proper hairstyles are a royal tradition of the past and stepped out on two separate occasions with her hair twisted into a loose, wispy bun with pieces left out to frame her face. The look is still undeniably elegant, but we’re not sure the Queen would see the style like this based on her own hairstyle track record!
Photo by Samir Hussein/Samir Hussein/WireImage1. No Stockings
Avid royal fans were appalled when Meghan Markle stepped out to announce her engagement breaking one of the most expected royal style rules — always wear stockings! Kate Middleton and Queen Elizabeth are both avid fans of a short tea dress, but always ensure to keep their look discreet by pairing sheer stockings underneath. One could argue that this dressing method is a way of the past, and Meghan Markle seems to agree by the looks of her public appearances with Prince Harry during their time working with the family! She’s trendy, boundary-breaking and made it clear all of these rules and restrictions were definitely not for her.
Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images
