Royal Family’s 11 most spectacular recent fashion moments

October has officially put the Royal Family back on the fashion map, and after what feels like years of rather uninspiring royal wardrobes, I think it’s fair to say the glamour has finally returned with a bang. From glittering tiaras and breathtaking designer gowns to fabulous new purchases and some seriously show-stopping appearances, this month has delivered the kind of royal fashion moments I’ve been longing to see.

Let’s face it, the last few years have been relatively quiet on the royal fashion front, with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stepping away from royal duties, King Charles championing a slimmed-down monarchy and Princess Catherine taking time away from the spotlight. Even the likes of Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, who have long provided plenty of fashion inspiration despite not being working royals, haven’t quite filled the void left by the once-bustling royal calendar.

But this month has changed all that, and quite frankly, royal fashion is back in business. We’ve been treated to dazzling state banquet appearances, magnificent heirloom jewels, beautifully tailored ensembles and enough fresh designer pieces to send fashion enthusiasts into a frenzy.

And the cherry on top of this rather glamorous cake is that the Duchess of Sussex is back in Britain too, bringing her own distinctive style into the mix and giving royal fashion watchers even more to talk about. So, from Princess Catherine’s spectacular return to tiaras to the understated elegance of Duchess Sophie and the effortlessly chic wardrobes of the wider Firm, I’ve rounded up the standout looks that made October a month to remember.

11 – Queen Camilla’s colour of the season moment

Queen Camilla opted for understated elegance last week as she joined King Charles and Prince William in Aberfan, Wales, to mark the 60th anniversary of the devastating mining disaster. The Queen stepped out in a classic camel-coloured coat featuring delicate ruffled trimming, layered over an animal-print dress by Fiona Clare, with chocolate-brown suede knee-high boots and black leather gloves. Her sparkling Welsh Guards leek brooch was a particularly thoughtful addition, paying tribute to Wales through its national emblem. While the warm autumnal palette and practical footwear worked beautifully together, I couldn’t help feeling the ensemble was a little too safe. Nevertheless, for such a solemn occasion, Camilla struck the right balance between elegant royal dressing and respectful restraint – even if it wasn’t a look that set my fashion-loving heart racing.

10 – Zara’s powerhouse suitZara Tindall rarely puts a fashionable foot wrong, and while her appearance at Cheltenham Racecourse for the William Hill Showcase on Saturday, October 24, earned a spot in my top 11, it certainly wasn’t anywhere near the top of the list. The 45-year-old royal opted for a blue houndstooth Veronica Beard trouser suit, styled with a burgundy Karen Millen cashmere jumper, a dramatic Juliette Botterill hat and a gorgeous £345 Fairfax & Favor Mini Blenheim handbag.While I absolutely adored the rich autumnal accessories and cosy knitwear, the suit itself just wasn’t doing it for me, which is surprising considering I’m usually obsessed with Zara’s Veronica Beard tailoring.The belted jacket and wide-leg trousers felt a little too fussy together, and I can’t help thinking the ensemble would have looked infinitely sharper without the belt competing for attention. I’ll put this rare fashion misfire down to the miserable British weather and perhaps a last-minute styling decision, because even the queen of countryside chic is allowed an off day!

9 – Camilla’s animal print surpise Queen Camilla embraced her wild side on October 21, stepping out in a striking animal-print dress and chocolate-brown suede boots alongside King Charles during the Sultan of Oman’s state visit to Britain. I absolutely loved the combination of the bold leopard-inspired print and knee-high boots, which gave her traditionally elegant wardrobe a rather refreshing, contemporary twist. The flowing silhouette was flattering, while the rich autumnal tones worked beautifully together without looking too busy. However, I must admit I’m a sucker for seeing Camilla in vibrant colours, and this muted ensemble didn’t quite deliver the wow factor I’ve come to expect from her more glamorous appearances. Still, it was a sophisticated look with just enough personality to earn a respectable ninth place in my royal fashion rankings.

8 – Meghan Markle’s British fashion momentMeghan Markle made her long-awaited return to royal-style engagements in Nottingham alongside Prince Harry on October 15, and while it was wonderful to see the Duchess back on British soil, her outfit left me with mixed feelings. I absolutely adored the rich burgundy colour palette, particularly her chic Joseph roll-neck jumper, beautifully fitted plum skirt from The Fold and coordinating Jennifer Chamandi heels, which delivered a masterclass in autumnal elegance. However, the oversized Joseph cashmere coat completely swallowed her petite frame, and I couldn’t help thinking the outfit looked infinitely more sophisticated without it. Still, Meghan is getting reacquainted with the unpredictable British weather after years in sunny California, so I’ll forgive the extra layers on this occasion! And while her sleek ponytail looked polished, I must admit I’ve missed her signature messy chignon bun – a hairstyle I’d love to see make a comeback alongside the Duchess herself.

7 – Camilla’s Diplomatic tribute to OmanQueen Camilla delivered a masterclass in diplomatic dressing during the Sultan of Oman’s state visit to Windsor Castle on October 20, stepping out in a striking scarlet Fiona Clare coat and matching Philip Treacy hat. The vibrant red was a beautiful nod to the Omani flag, proving that Her Majesty understands the power of fashion to convey a message. Her dazzling Cartier floral brooch, previously belonging to the Queen Mother, added a wonderful touch of royal history, while the structured tailoring gave the ensemble a wonderfully polished finish. I absolutely adored this look, particularly because Camilla isn’t afraid to embrace bold colour, and the combination of scarlet and sparkling jewels was nothing short of regal. It was elegant, meaningful and beautifully executed, earning a very respectable seventh place in my rankings.

6 – The Princess of Wales’s powerful tailoring

Princess Catherine meant business when she stepped out in a sophisticated Victoria Beckham trouser suit during her visit to The Treehouse children’s hospice in Suffolk on October 22, delivering a masterclass in modern royal power dressing. The Princess of Wales, 44, looked effortlessly polished in the olive-green tailored ensemble, paired with a charcoal roll-neck jumper and a slim burgundy belt that beautifully defined her waist. I absolutely adored the sharp cut, structured shoulders and impeccable fit, which gave Catherine a commanding silhouette without sacrificing an ounce of elegance. However, while the tailoring was practically flawless, I couldn’t help feeling the rather drab olive shade was a little boring, particularly for someone who looks so spectacular in brighter colours. For me, this was a triumph in tailoring rather than colour, and while Catherine certainly looked every inch the future Queen, it wasn’t quite exciting enough to break into my top five.

5 – Princess Catherine’s glittering emerald ensemblePrincess Catherine delivered a masterclass in diplomatic dressing during the Sultan of Oman’s state visit to Windsor Castle on October 20, stepping out in a breathtaking emerald-green Alexander McQueen coat that was nothing short of regal. The beautifully tailored design featured a flattering waistline and structured shoulders, while the gorgeous pleated Norma Kamali dress underneath added a feminine flourish that I absolutely adored. But the standout moment was undoubtedly her new Juliette Botterill hat, complete with delicate sculptural bows, proving once again that Catherine knows exactly how to champion British fashion with impeccable style. Her sparkling Prince of Wales Feathers Brooch, once worn by Princess Diana, alongside emerald-green heels and elegant drop earrings, completed an ensemble that was both a touching nod to royal history and a triumph of modern sophistication. For me, this was Catherine at her diplomatic dressing best – polished, powerful and perfectly coordinated, although the seriously stiff competition this month means it lands in fifth place.

4 – The Duchess of Edinburgh’s powerful move

Now we’re getting into the serious contenders, and Duchess Sophie certainly deserves fourth place after delivering a masterclass in understated elegance during the Sultan of Oman’s state visit to Windsor Castle on October 20. The Duchess of Edinburgh, 61, looked effortlessly sophisticated in a navy Roland Mouret dress, featuring an asymmetric bow neckline and beautifully structured tailoring, complemented by delicate pearl earrings and a sparkling floral brooch. But what makes this outfit particularly fascinating is the timing, with Sophie championing the French designer just days after he made explosive claims about an alleged falling-out with Meghan Markle involving Princess Catherine’s stylist. While there’s no evidence the choice was deliberate, I thought it was a rather bold fashion moment, proving that sometimes the most intriguing royal outfits don’t need a dazzling tiara or an extravagant price tag. Personally, I adored the flattering silhouette, elegant finishing touches and Sophie’s confidence in keeping things simple – a fabulous look with a particularly interesting backstory.

3 – Princess Catherine’s star buy this autumn Princess Catherine well and truly stole my fashion-loving heart during her visit to Scotland’s Isle of Bute in September, debuting a gorgeous chocolate-brown Burberry trench coat worth more than £2,000 that instantly earned a place on my autumn wishlist. The Princess of Wales embraced countryside chic with an olive-green roll-neck jumper, chocolate-brown skinny jeans, suede Chelsea boots and a statement patterned belt, creating the kind of effortlessly polished ensemble I could only dream of recreating. But the real star was that magnificent Burberry trench, complete with the brand’s iconic checked lining, and I absolutely loved seeing Catherine champion a fresh designer purchase after spending so much of last year recycling her wardrobe favourites. For me, this was royal off-duty dressing at its finest – practical, beautifully coordinated and proof that investing in one spectacular coat can transform an entire outfit. And while this wasn’t a glittering gown or a priceless tiara moment, it deserves a place in my top three because sometimes the most unforgettable royal fashion statements are the ones we’d actually love to wear ourselves.

2 – Zara Tindall’s striking fashion moment

Zara Tindall absolutely knocked it out of the park at British Champions Day at Ascot on October 17, delivering what I can only describe as the ultimate masterclass in British countryside glamour. The 45-year-old royal, who is an ambassador for Fairfax & Favor, championed the luxury British label in its beautifully tailored Sybil tweed blazer, coordinating Sennowe suede belt and gorgeous mahogany Connie handbag, paired with a £75 chocolate-brown faux-leather skirt from House of Bruar. I was completely obsessed with the rich chocolate tones, which are dominating this season’s fashion trends, while her elegant pussy-bow blouse, knee-high suede boots and statement hat brought the entire ensemble together beautifully. What I particularly loved was how Zara effortlessly celebrated British heritage dressing without looking remotely old-fashioned, proving that traditional countrywear can be every bit as fashionable as the latest designer runway collections. For me, this was autumn’s ultimate wardrobe trophy – sophisticated, timeless, and effortlessly expensive-looking- earning Zara a very well-deserved second place in my royal fashion rankings.

And taking the crown for October’s most spectacular royal fashion moment is, of course, Princess Catherine, who quite literally took my breath away at the glittering Omani state banquet at Windsor Castle on October 20. The Princess of Wales looked every inch a future Queen in a breathtaking butter-yellow Elie Saab gown, featuring a beautifully pleated bodice, delicate cape sleeves and a sweeping floor-length skirt that was nothing short of a fairytale. But the real pièce de résistance was Queen Mary’s Lover’s Knot Tiara, a dazzling royal heirloom famously worn by Princess Diana, complemented by magnificent diamond earrings once belonging to Queen Elizabeth II and the Princess’s ceremonial sash. From her cascading Hollywood waves to her flawless makeup and exquisite jewellery, every detail was perfection, and I genuinely cannot remember the last time Catherine looked quite so spectacular. After a quieter few years, seeing the Princess back in the spotlight, embracing more engagements and delivering the kind of jaw-dropping royal glamour we’ve all been missing was simply wonderful – Princess Catherine is back, and so is the magic of royal fashion!