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When royals step out in a new outfit, the world takes notice, and when that designer happens to be Australian, the moment automatically occupies a special place in our hearts. Over the years, we’ve spotted many labels on royals including Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, and of course, our very own, Tasmanian-born Crown Princess Mary of Denmark, that have elicited a spark of patriotic pride—fashion that has celebrated local talent on the international stage.
Recall Kate’s 2014 tour of Australia, which saw her wear a white Broderie Anglaise midi dress by Zimmermann. The duchess paired her ’50s-inspired silhouette with pearl drop earrings and raffia wedges, nodding subtly to her seaside surroundings. Common practice, perhaps, for Kate to wear a designer hailing from the visited nation state, but even before she became a royal, she was trying her hand at Australian fashion; a then-Kate Middleton, wearing a lacy Collette Dinnigan slip dress at a book launch in 2007.
Kate’s sister-in-law Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, has also had her fair share of sartorial moments Down Under. After choosing a gilded, black Ralph & Russo gown for her engagement portrait with Prince Harry, Meghan would later wear a slew of Australian names on her tour of the Antipodes in 2018, from Camilla and Marc and Scanlan Theodore to Oroton and Jac + Jack. Most memorable were her series of striped dresses, in particular, a maxi design by Martin Grant on the shores of Sydney’s Bondi Beach.
And even though she’s on the other side of the world, Queen Mary has never forgotten her roots. The Danish royal makes a consistent effort to sport Australian designers at engagements across Europe, from blush Carla Zampatti gowns to floral dresses by Willow and Moss & Spy.
Below, Vogue reflects on every time your favourite royals have worn Australian fashion labels.
