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The Duchess of Cornwall's best style moments

camilla wedding dress
camilla wedding dress

As the most recent series of The Crown on Netflix reminded us, Camilla Shand, born in 1947, was a prominent London socialite in her youth and married Andrew Parker Bowles in 1973 wearing an of-the-moment high collar gown.

She of course joined the Royal family in 2005 when she married Prince Charles, wearing a mint green damask dress coat by Robinson Valentine. It has taken her time to discover what her signature Royal style is, and in more recent years she's realised that softer, pleated dresses and cream and pale colours are consistently the most flattering styles for her.

Here our editors pick out some of her best ever looks...

Wearing Antony Price, June 2001

camilla antony price
camilla antony price

As chosen by Emily Cronin

The Duchess of Cornwall may not be as celebrated for her personal style as some of her fellow Royals, but goodness, if she doesn’t know what suits her to a T. Her daytime looks tend to be knee-length dress-and-jacket ensembles, and at night - well, that’s when she brings out the major sparkle. This Antony Price gown, worn for a Macmillan fundraiser in 2001, has all the hallmarks of a classic Camilla look: Diamonds. Decolletage-framing neckline. Pashmina. And doesn’t she look happy in it? Three cheers for a woman who knows what she likes.

Wearing Robinson Valentine, April 2005

camilla wedding dress
camilla wedding dress

As chosen by Tamara Abraham

Camilla has always been a pro at wedding dressing, but she really pulled out the stops when it came to her own second marriage to Prince Charles in 2005. She chose a pale blue and gold silk damask floor-length coat with a coordinating dress underneath by Robinson Valentine - a look so timeless, it still looks chic 15 years on and has even been on display at London's V&A museum. The gold embroidery at the collar was inspired by a piece of her mother’s jewellery, and the gold fan-like headpiece - a custom creation by Philip Treacy - added a sense of occasion without looking OTT.

Wearing a little black dress, October 1995

camilla revenge dress
camilla revenge dress

As chosen by Caroline Leaper

What I find so fascinating about this Camilla look from 1995, is that it came just a year after Princess Diana’s undeniably similar ‘revenge dress’ of 1994. Diana wore her off-the-shoulder little black dress, sheer tights, and a pearl choker with a sapphire in the centre, to a party at London’s Serpentine Gallery which took place on the same night as a Prince Charles confessed his adultery with Camilla in tell-all television interview. Camilla’s only tweak on the outfit, which had made front pages around the world, is that her choker has an emerald in place of the sapphire. For someone who most assume isn’t overly bothered about her clothes, the message she sent with this identikit outfit is hugely important.

Wearing Anna Valentine, November 2019

anna valentine
anna valentine

As chosen by Bethan Holt

You wouldn’t know it from this picture, but here the Duchess of Cornwall has made a foray into a lesser explored royal fashion territory: the jumpsuit. Visiting New Zealand last November, Camilla looks elegant and streamlined in this tailored navy design by Anna Valentine, one of her go-to couturiers. It’s a brilliant example of a modern yet timeless and flattering look for any woman, but particularly anyone in their 70s, like Camilla, who’s not ready for elasticated waists. Fashion credit where it’s due, this one-piece is a masterstroke.

Wearing an emerald green coat, March 2020

cheltenham 2020
cheltenham 2020

As chosen by Sophie Tobin

For her last public appearance before the UK went into lockdown, Camilla wore a green coat over a pussy bow polka-dot dress. Stepping away from her usual skirt suit, the Duchess’ style seems to have had a fresh update for the Cheltenham Races Ladies Day event, completing the look with a felt fedora and knee high suede boots. Here’s hoping we see more of this new style for future engagements.

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