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Royal Fashion Matters: Why Writing About It Is Vital
Writing about royal fashion is often dismissed as frivolous—but it holds deeper cultural, political, and economic significance. This article explores why covering what royals wear matters: from soft diplomacy and public influence to identity politics and fashion economics. The Palace may downplay it, but fashion is part of the royal narrative—and deserves its place in serious media coverage.
The Princess of Wales’s sartorial choices continue to spotlight the causes she champions—even as the Palace attempts to shift attention away from her wardrobe.
Over the past 14 years as a senior royal, Catherine, Princess of Wales, has become deeply involved with several charities—most notably, The Centre for Early Childhood, which she co-founded. Despite her growing portfolio of meaningful initiatives, media coverage still often focuses more on what she wears than what she does.
This contrast may explain the Palace’s recent decision to limit fashion disclosures, announcing it will no longer publicly share details about her clothing except for major events and state occasions. But this move seems counterintuitive. Why? Because her style is not a distraction—it’s a conduit.
- Kate’s fashion draws audiences to otherwise overlooked engagements.
- Her glamour generates visibility for her charitable work.
- Her image management aligns with a long-standing royal tradition of using fashion as communication.
Her influence is undeniable. From a custom Jenny Packham gown at a state banquet to a recycled Alexander McQueen coat at a local engagement, Kate’s wardrobe choices create media traction that few other public figures can match—often translating into real awareness for the organizations she supports.
The visibility of her fashion is part of the reason the Centre for Early Childhood is even known by millions today.
Historically, this is not unprecedented. Princess Diana, following her 1992 separation from then-Prince Charles, famously declared that she wanted to shift from being seen as a “clothes horse” to a “workhorse”. But as Eleri Lynn, curator of the Royal Ceremonial Dress Collection, noted in Vogue (2017), her evolving style—marked by bold, globally admired ensembles—continued to captivate public attention.
Perhaps her most iconic moment came with the now-legendary “revenge dress”: a black, off-the-shoulder cocktail gown worn to The Serpentine Gallery on the very night Charles confessed to his affair. It became clear: royal women’s clothing choices are powerful symbols, especially when they cannot always speak freely.
The Palace Is Wrong: Why Writing About Royal Fashion Matters
Is royal fashion just vanity—or does it reflect something deeper?
When a royal steps out in a designer gown or recycled coat, it instantly sparks global headlines. Yet in 2025, Palace officials continue to imply that coverage of royal fashion is trivial or distracting from more “serious” royal duties. But here’s the truth: what royals wear isn’t shallow—it’s strategic, symbolic, and worth reporting.
From Queen Elizabeth’s diplomatic brooches to Princess Diana’s revenge dress and Kate Middleton’s sustainable fashion choices, royal style has always been deeply entwined with messaging. This article breaks down why fashion reporting on royals is essential journalism, not fluff.
1. Fashion as Soft Power and Diplomacy
Royal clothing often serves as a visual form of diplomacy.
- Kate Middleton wore Pakistani designers during her 2019 tour—a sartorial gesture of respect that received global praise.
- Queen Elizabeth II frequently used color to signify national unity, accessibility, and cultural sensitivity during state visits.
Fashion becomes the language when royals cannot speak openly.
Covering these choices isn’t superficial—it’s interpreting intentional non-verbal communication used in statecraft.
2. Royal Fashion Drives the Global Economy
Royal wardrobes have a quantifiable impact on global fashion markets.
- The “Kate Effect” has been valued at over £1 billion, with brands she wears often selling out in hours.
- Meghan Markle’s influence generated over £500 million in media value during her first year as a royal.
These numbers aren’t fluff—they’re economic data. To ignore this is to ignore real industry movement. Coverage of royal fashion supports designers, jobs, and consumer interest worldwide.
3. Style Choices Reflect Social & Political Values
Royal fashion isn’t apolitical.
- When Princess Diana stopped wearing gloves in public, it was a deliberate break from tradition, symbolizing empathy and human connection.
- Meghan Markle’s preference for minimalism contrasted with palace expectations, sparking discourse on race, modernity, and femininity.
Writing about royal fashion is often writing about who belongs, who is accepted, and how institutions evolve.
These stories go beyond hemlines. They’re about power, privilege, identity, and resistance.
4. Royals Use Fashion to Shape Their Image
From tiaras to trouser suits, every wardrobe decision is part of royal brand management.
- Royals can’t post unfiltered opinions on social media.
- Instead, they use clothes to frame their roles, signal values, or subtly shift public perception.
Ignoring the fashion is ignoring the messaging. Coverage of these style choices is a form of accountability and transparency for public figures funded by the taxpayer.
5. Fashion Reporting Is Often the Entry Point to Bigger Issues
For many readers, a story about a royal outfit leads to deeper engagement with monarchy, protocol, feminism, or even economics.
- A report on Kate’s recycled coat may open discussions on sustainability.
- Meghan’s maternity wear sparked conversations about racialized body criticism in media.
Fashion becomes the hook—but the journalism goes deeper.
To exclude this coverage is to miss an opportunity to educate and engage diverse audiences, especially women.
6. Dismissing Fashion Is Gendered and Elitist
The critique that fashion writing is “less serious” often stems from gendered assumptions about what matters.
- Political commentary gets column inches.
- But when women wear clothes with meaning, it’s too often dismissed as vanity.
This reflects broader biases in journalism, where stories about women’s expression and influence are undervalued.
In 2025, we must stop treating coverage of women’s choices—including fashion—as inherently less serious.
FAQs
1. Why does royal fashion get so much attention?
Because it communicates power, diplomacy, and personal values without words—especially from public figures who rarely speak directly.
2. Is writing about royal fashion considered real journalism?
Yes. Fashion reporting involves politics, culture, economics, and gender analysis—making it a valid journalistic field.
3. How does royal fashion impact the economy?
Through the “Kate Effect” and “Meghan Effect,” royal endorsements generate millions in sales for global fashion brands.
4. What is soft power in royal fashion?
Soft power is the influence gained through cultural appeal. Royals use fashion to build international goodwill and local connection.
5. Do royals choose their outfits strategically?
Absolutely. Most royal looks are curated to align with public events, diplomatic missions, or social causes.
6. Why does the Palace downplay fashion coverage?
To maintain control over royal narratives and avoid drawing attention to gendered scrutiny—but this avoidance limits transparency.
Conclusion
The Palace may want to minimize fashion coverage, but the public—and the press—should not. Royal fashion is a legitimate lens through which we view culture, power, diplomacy, and identity.
To write about royal style is not to diminish the monarchy—it’s to decode it.
And in an era where every gesture counts, understanding the meaning behind a royal outfit is not just relevant—it’s essential.
