Queen Elizabeth, Princess Charlotte, and More Royals in Liberty Print
The iconic British fabric is a favorite in several royals' wardrobes.
When Oscar Wilde said, "Liberty is the chosen resort of the artistic shopper," he wasn't speaking metaphorically. He was quite literally referring to Liberty of London, the iconic Regent Street department store, known for selling carefully curated home good, accessories, fabrics, and fashion in the rich prints that share its name.
Liberty Prints, often colorful and floral, and instantly recognizable are popular yes, with the "artistic shoppers" Wilde mentioned, but also with members of the royal family from the Queen to Camilla to Princess Charlotte. Here, take a look back at nine iconic Liberty looks from the royals.
February 1935
The Duke of York took his two daughter, Princess Margaret and then-Princesses Elizabeth to see the pantomime in February 1935. It's a bit difficult to see what the young royals are wearing in this vintage photo, but their dresses, which were actually quite vibrant, were recently auctioned off. See the frocks here.
July 8, 1941
The Queen clearly got her love of Liberty from her mama. Here, Queen Elizabeth stands with her two daughters, then-Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret by a syringa bush on the grounds of Windsor Castle. The future Queen Mother accessorized her printed dress with a statement hat and triple strand of pearls.
October 27, 1982
While on an official visit to Tuvalu, the Queen matched her liberty print dress to the printed band of her hat.
July 27, 1981
Princess Diana wore a sweet blue-hued Liberty-print dress to the rehearsal for her wedding to Prince Charles. She paired the classic British pattern with a pair of simple nude ballet flats.
Once again, Diana chose what is believed to be a Liberty pattern while on her and Prince Charles's 1983 tour of Australia. That tour will be recreated in the upcoming fourth season of The Crown, so it's likely we could see the costume designer's take on this ensemble.
Here's a closer look at the tiny floral design in shades of blue and pink (and Diana's impressing headpiece).
June 25, 2019
Kate arrived at a 2019 workshop run by the Royal Photographic Society in a printed midi dress, which she paired with nude espadrille wedges. The pattern, called Peach Flourish, is a Liberty design.
July 17, 2017
These days, Princess Charlotte is the royal family's primary wearer of Liberty prints. Here she is during the Cambridges' official visit to Poland and Germany, wearing one of the brand's signature patterns in sweet smocked design.
But Charlotte doesn't only wear Liberty while making official appearances. Here she is kicking around the soccer ball at a polo match wearing a printed dress.
The first time Camilla wore a face mask in public, she chose a Liberty-print style made by Fiona Clare.
August 4, 2020
To visit the charity Baby Basics UK, Kate mixed old with new. The Duchess re-wore a white shirtdress which she previously sported at the 2019 Wimbledon match. And, for her first royal appearance in a face mask, Kate chose a version with a Liberty-style print, by London-based brand, Amaia.
As the digital director for Town & Country, Caroline Hallemann covers culture, entertainment, and a range of other subjects
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