ELIZA SCARBOROUGH reveals the 10 most iconic royal looks of 2025 - and why Kate takes the crown

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If there is one thing the Royal Family does better than pageantry, it’s fashion - and 2025 has delivered it in spades.

From solemn moments steeped in history to glittering nights of diplomatic glamour, royal wardrobes this year have been nothing short of captivating.

There have been recycled favourites worn with quiet confidence, bold couture statements that made headlines across the globe, and a new generation of royal women proving that style and substance go hand in hand.

At the very centre of it all, once again, stands the Princess of Wales, who secured three of the top 10 spots. 

However, Princess Beatrice and Zara Tindall also delivered standout fashion moments over the past year.

The Duchess of Edinburgh also deserves a special mention for her elegant appearance at the French State Banquet. 

There was also the surprise style riser of the year, Harriet Sperling, whose quietly confident debut on the royal fashion stage was anchored in thoughtful tailoring and impeccable polish.

Together, these looks form a vivid picture of royal fashion in 2025, a year defined by thoughtful dressing, meaningful details and a renewed sense of individuality. 

Princess of Wales 

Kate dazzled in an intricately beaded sequin cape dress with dramatic draping for the German state banquet, stepping out in a glittering cornflower blue Jenny Packham gown, teamed with Gianvito Rossi pumps and an Anya Hindmarch clutch

Kate recycled a Self-Portrait bouclé and chiffon midi dress for the Order of the Garter in 2025 paired with Gianvito Rossi suede pumps and a bespoke Sean Barrett Millinery hat

Kate’s gold couture gown for the US State Banquet in September was nothing short of breathtaking

After a year of carefully chosen appearances and exquisitely considered outfits, Catherine has emerged as the undisputed fashion champion of 2025.

By clinching both the best dressed evening and daytime looks, she secures the overall crown, a double victory that cements her status as one of the world's most influential dressers.

Whether re-wearing trusted wardrobe staples or stepping out in show-stopping couture, her style remains thoughtful, strategic and impeccably judged.

However, there can be little doubt about which looks will go down in royal fashion history - as the mother-of-three dazzled at two state banquets this year. 

At the royal reception for US President Donald Trump in September, Catherine was a vision in gold as she opted to wear a breathtaking couture gown by Phillipa Lepley. 

This elegant dress had a gold Chantilly lace coat over an ivory silk crepe dress, paired with the Lover's Knot Tiara. 

Echoing the Princess of Wales’ wedding dress from 2011, the design also featured a high neckline and long sleeves, with the lace skirt parting at the waist to allow the ivory underskirt to peek through. 

Following a year marked by her cancer journey, the appearance celebrated Catherine's return to public life before she outdid herself at the state banquet held in honour of the German president. 

For the occasion, Catherine debuted Queen Victoria's Oriental Circlet tiara that she paired with a sequin-caped gown by Jenny Packham for a majestic look that marked her evolution from Disney princess to Britain's future Queen. 

Zara Tindall

Zara cut an elegant figure in a black Claire Mischevani lace skirt and sweater

The daughter of Princess Anne, Zara, meanwhile, continues to perfect her signature blend of sleek elegance and effortless cool.

Her stylist, Annie Miall, cleverly dresses her in a way that makes her feel polished yet unfussy that perfectly encapsulates her personality. 

And Zara put her best fashion foot forward in Aquazzura pumps when she attended Catherine's annual 'Together at Christmas' carol concert last month. 

Huddled underneath an umbrella with her husband Mike Tindall, Zara cut an elegant figure in a black Claire Mischevani lace skirt and sweater.

This stylish outfit was worn under a midnight blue velvet coat with a tuxedo collar by Alice and Olivia. 

Lady Helen Taylor 

Lady helen's green velvet and leather outfit at Carol Concert set the right festive tone and her effortless elegance shone through

Cutting a chic figure as she attended the Together at Christmas carol concert, in typically stylish fashion Lady Helen paired a sumptuous emerald velvet blazer with a leather skirt in the same shade and a festive sparkly roll neck.

Harriet Sperling

Harriet was a vision at Ascot 2025 and has set the bar high for her wedding dress which will definitely not disappoint if this outfit is anything to go by

Peter Phillip’s fiancée Harriet Sperling made her first official appearance with the Royal Family at Ascot wearing a chic two-piece that catapulted her straight into the sartorial big leagues. 

Teamed with an Awon Golding hat, the short jacket with balloon sleeves and tweed skirt was created by designer Suzannah London, one of Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh's favourite designer labels. 

And she picked a brand that has long been loved by Catherine, when she joined the Royal Family for Sunday church service at Sandringham on December 28. 

 The royal bride-to-be picked a houndstooth jacket and matching skirt from London label Beulah, as she walked to St Mary Magdalene Church alongside Princess Anne's son Peter Phillips on the last Sunday of the year. 

Duchess of Edinburgh

The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh attended the first State Visit made by France in seventeen years and Sophie's dress by Suzannah London was an example of great British fashion

For the French state banquet in July, one of the standout looks was courtesy of Duchess Sophie, who wore a bespoke white sequined Suzannah London gown.

This exquisite dress comprised of a fitted bodice, capped sleeves and a tulip wrap skirt, paired with the Wessex Aquamarine Tiara, Graff jewels, and glitter pumps. 

This classic, elegant look showcased her signature style for formal events, combining British design with significant royal jewels.

 Princess Beatrice

Princess Beatrice's Rebecca Vallance gown was a standout winner when she attended The Elephant Family Evening of Art and Conservation at Kew Gardens

The eldest daughter of disgraced Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, Beatrice has quietly evolved into one of the most compelling dressers in royal circles.

Embracing romantic silhouettes, modern tailoring and a softer, more confident approach with the help of her stylist, Olivia Buckingham, Beatrice has struck a balance between tradition and individuality.

Stepping out solo at the Elephant Family's Evening of Art and Conservation, Princess Beatrice was glamorous in a Rebecca Vallance gown.

The dress was made of metallic brocade and featuring a floral print, with a nipped in waist, puff sleeves and full skirt which accentuated her hourglass silhouette. 

She carried a white satin Tyler Ellis clutch and wore dark burgundy Jimmy Choo pumps to complete her look.

Princess Eugenie

Princess Eugenie's Ascot outfit making the best dressed of 2025 

Meanwhile, her younger sisteer, Princess Eugenie was the epitome of elegance at Royal Ascot as she stunned in a stylish wide-brimmed hat, daring top and flowy skirt. 

The two-piece outfit was a tailoring masterpiece that was adjusted to her figure and was extremely elegant in its simplicity. 

She completed the look with the same pair of Aquazzura pumps and M2Malletier crossbody bag.

Sophie Winkleman

Sophie Winkleman always seems to be a favourite of King Charles as they are always seen laughing together in the Royal box at Ascot

The wife of Lord Frederick Windsor, Sophie Winkleman mastered understated elegance at Royal Ascot in a navy and impeccably tailored Beulah London midi dress, complete with crisp white trim that gave her look a vintage 1940s gloss. 

In a sea of flamboyant millinery and bold prints, the former Peep Show actress's navy Beulah moment was a gentle reminder that classics never go out of style.