The best royal maternity outfits over the years
by Rebekah Absalom · Mail OnlineWomen in the Royal Family have a long tradition of continuing their public engagements while pregnant, demonstrating their commitment to duty and style.
Queen Elizabeth was known for her pristine coats, while Princess Diana favoured flowing dresses that comfortably accommodated her blossoming bump.
Catherine, Princess of Wales, has consistently impressed with her graceful choices, and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, embraced a fearless approach to maternity fashion.
In light of Princess Beatrice's pregnancy announcement, we reflect on the best royal maternity looks through the years.
In June 1948, Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip attended the Epsom Derby, one day after she subtly announced her first pregnancy.
The then princess had declared the day before that she would not be accepting public engagements after the end of June.
Elizabeth exuded elegance in a trapeze-style jacket, cinched at the waist, layered over a polka dot tea dress and heeled sandals.
By the time of her fourth pregnancy, Elizabeth was well-versed in maternity fashion, but her style became bolder as trends evolved in the 60s.
While expecting Prince Edward in November 1963, the Queen opted for a black velvet shift dress, paired with a matching jacket, during a visit to the Royal Opera House.
Diana, Princess of Wales
Princess Diana captivated audiences with her enduring style, from her fairytale wedding gown to her iconic 'Revenge Dress'.
Diana displayed a fondness for a select group of British designers, who played a key role in cementing her fashion legacy, which extended to her maternity style.
On the day she announced her first pregnancy with Prince William in 1981, Diana wore a striking Bellville Sassoon coat, incorporating statement stitching and a fringed trim.
She expertly coordinated the outfit with blue accessories, including a veiled hat by John Boyd.
Diana continued to wear Bellville Sassoon designs when she was expecting Prince Harry - notably a glittering white empire line dress, topped with the Spencer Tiara that she had displayed on her wedding day three years earlier.
Three months before giving birth to Harry, Diana attended a movie premiere in glamorous maternity wear by Catherine Walker.
Perhaps hinting at the imminent arrival of a baby boy, the royal donned an ice blue gown with a deep V-neck and draped bodice, perfectly accommodating her blossoming baby bump.
Anne, Princess Royal
As the second child and only daughter of Queen Elizabeth II, Princess Anne has been a shining example of British style for over seven decades.
From the satin A-line gowns of the 60s to the puff sleeves of the 80s, Anne has consistently led the way in royal fashion while adhering to the standards of protocol.
This commitment to style was particularly evident during her first pregnancy with Peter in 1977.
While filming the television programme Horses in our Blood, Anne showcased her signature country aesthetic, concealing her bump in a checked wool coat and corduroy trousers.
As her pregnancy progressed, she sported another memorable outfit, featuring a Fair Isle knitted jumper, flared trousers and a bright orange headscarf.
Anne made the most of her maternity wardrobe for her second pregnancy with Zara, recycling a white caped coat dress from 1977 at her sister-in-law's wedding in 1981.
She layered it over a vibrant dress printed with a swirl pattern that mirrored her headscarf.
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex
Following in the footsteps of her late mother-in-law, Meghan embraced a fearless approach to maternity fashion.
The former actress made a sartorial statement with her black one-shouldered gown by Givenchy, worn during a surprise appearance at the British Fashion Awards in 2018, which marked a departure from the traditional royal maternity styles.
She paired the glamorous look with towering metallic gold heels by Tamara Mellon and Pippa Small earrings, quickly making it a hit.
Shortly thereafter, Meghan showcased her daring maternity style with a colourful ensemble, consisting of a violet dress from Babaton by Aritzia and scarlet wool coat by Canadian brand Sentaler.
She also wore a retro-inspired look by Victoria Beckham, complete with a chain-printed dress, while attending the Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey.
Catherine, Princess of Wales
Kate maintained her signature elegant style throughout her three pregnancies, with her later looks being some of her finest to date.
While expecting Prince Louis, Kate and Prince William toured Sweden and Norway, where she made a lasting impression with her outfit choices.
One standout was a stunning Erdem silk-devoré dress, featuring an empire waist, fluted sleeves and a mid-length cut.
Attending dinner at the royal palace in Oslo, Kate opted for an ethereal cape dress, custom-made by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen.
Crafted in delicate blush pink, the floor-length, semi-sheer overlay was embellished with silver floral motifs.
For the annual Irish Guards St Patrick's Day Parade, Kate looked stylishly cosy in a Catherine Walker hunter green coat with faux fur trim.
She accessorised with a Gina Foster felt hat and her reliable Tod's suede pumps.
Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon
Princess Margaret was a global icon who embraced the fashion trends of every decade she experienced.
From waist-cinched dresses of the 1950s to the power shoulders of the 1980s, she experimented with the signature styles of each era, always making them uniquely her own.
While expecting her firstborn, David, Margaret donned an array of babydoll dresses in the summer of 1961.
A standout frock, worn to The Royal International Horse Show, incorporated a delicate floral print and voluminous pleats that comfortably accommodated her bump.
During her pregnancy with her second child, Sarah, in 1964, Margaret maintained her stylish reputation by choosing luxurious wool swing coats and sporting a polished curled hairstyle.
Sarah, Duchess of York
After recently updating her wardrobe, Sarah Ferguson has been making waves in the style scene, showcasing a variety of sought-after pieces from brands like ME+EM, Safiyaa and Holland Cooper.
However, she also made a significant fashion impact during the 1980s alongside Princess Diana, whom she affectionately referred to as her 'dearest friend.'
Like Diana, Sarah embraced the nautical trend, wearing a sailor-inspired dress while pregnant with Princess Beatrice in 1988.
She wore the airy frock to a polo match, completing her look with monochrome pumps, a straw boater and pearl earrings.
The following year, while promoting her Budgie books, Sarah was pregnant with Princess Eugenie and looked elegant in a navy double-breasted skirt suit, again paired with pearl jewellery.
Zara Tindall
Before falling pregnant, Zara Tindall paid tribute to her mother, saying: 'I look at her and just think if I was going to be a mother, that's what I would want to be like.
'I would like to be as good a mother as she has been to us.'
With her beaming smile and large bump, Zara navigated her pregnancies with a refreshing sense of normalcy, reminiscent of Princess Anne.
The Olympic equestrian showcased her laid-back style at the Cheltenham races while seven months pregnant with her first child, Mia.
Zara kept warm in a Furnatic faux fur-trimmed cape and maternity jeans, elevated by a patent shoulder bag from Anya Hindmarch.
While pregnant with her second daughter, Lena, Zara dressed up for the Easter Sunday church service at St George's Chapel.
She opted for an eye-catching tonal ensemble, comprising a tailored wool coat, intricate hat and suede court shoes.
Princess Eugenie
No one was aware that Princess Eugenie was expecting her second child, Ernest, when she attended the Together at Christmas carol concert in 2022.
Eugenie skillfully concealed her burgeoning bump with a houndstooth wool coat by Max Mara.
She looked particularly radiant - perhaps down to a touch of 'baby glow' - with her bronzed complexion and glossy locks styled in a half-up, half-down do.
The day after her pregnancy announcement, Eugenie was seen heading out for dinner in a dress that looked familiar.
She debuted the floral fit-and-flare mini by Whistles in October 2017, and it quickly became a favourite in her wardrobe due to its versatility.
The royal enhanced her outfit with another Max Mara coat, Aquazzura knee-high leather boots and a Louis Vuitton bag, creating a flawless ensemble.
A few weeks before welcoming Ernest, Eugenie dazzled in a Gabriela Hearst dress at the Coronation Big Lunch.
This commendable choice featured flattering contrasting piping, puff sleeves and a flared skirt that highlighted her Dune slingbacks.
Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh
Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, embraced her first pregnancy with an eye-catching lilac look.
She arrived for an evening tour of the Hampton Court Palace Flower Show in July 2003 while expecting Lady Louise.
Sophie allowed her elegant two-piece to take centre stage, complementing it with nude accessories.
Two months later, she showcased business chic in a black trouser suit, paired with an ivory satin blouse and a striking pearl necklace.
While pregnant with her second child, James, in 2007, Sophie attended Ascot Racecourse in a delightful satin floral shift dress, topped with a tailored coat.
Princess Beatrice
In recent years, Princess Beatrice has evolved into a style icon, thanks in part to the guidance of celebrity stylist Olivia Buckingham.
While pregnant with her daughter Sienna, Beatrice made a stunning outfit choice for the Wimbledon Championships.
The Princess embraced the event's tennis whites by donning a polka dot taffeta dress by cult label Self-Portrait.
She accessorised with tortoiseshell Valentino sunglasses, Aquazzura mules and an Anya Hindmarch straw tote, providing a modest yet striking maternity look.
The following month, Beatrice showcased another dotted dress, this time from the Parisian brand Maje.
This monochrome design boasted semi-sheer sleeves and a pleated skirt, radiating a sophisticated, ladylike aesthetic.
During her second pregnancy, Beatrice attended a swanky Estée Lauder event, wearing an exquisite Rebecca Vallance creation.
The 'Eliana' dress, adorned with puff sleeves and delicate bow details, was beautifully teamed with a Roger Vivier clutch and pumps.