London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Friday, Jun 26, 2026

King Charles III Coronation fashion: Best outfits from the day

King Charles III Coronation fashion: Best outfits from the day

Pomp, politicians and powder blue was the order of service, as thousands gathered in their finery to celebrate King Charles III

Between the Royal Family, A-listers and the international elite, the Coronation of King Charles III was always going to be a fashion spectacle for the ages.

The pomp and pageantry of the ceremony lived up to expectation, and while spouts of protest accounted for moments of ruckus outside, guests making their way to the 2000-strong congregation did so in spectacular style.

The family
The Royal Family on the balcony of Buckingham Palace


Inevitably, it was the Firm’s chief of glamour, the Princess of Wales, who won hearts with the most fashionable look from the family - this time, with the added presence of her mini-me. Catherine enlisted the help of Alexander McQueen’s creative director Sarah Burton, her longtime trusted designer who was behind her 2011 lace wedding dress, to craft the ivory crepe gown, embroidered with roses, thistles, daffodils, and shamrocks she wore under her blue state robe. Importantly, McQueen worked with London based milliner Jess Collett to make Greek-like, silver floral headbands in the place of a tiara squashing months of speculation over whether she would be borrowing from the Royal collection, and fears of a flower crown more suited to Glastonbury.

Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte

Making headlines, however, was her daughter Princess Charlotte, who at 8 years old won hearts in her matching McQueen white cape, sparkling headpiece, and white ballet pumps, alongside her brother Prince Louis who, though restless in ceremony, looked smart in navy.

Ranking high in grandeur was Princess Anne, who wore her her Blues and Royals uniform and the green velvet Thisle cloak complete with a red feathered, bicorne hat. Her daughter, Zara Phillips, was less stoic but still elegant in a baby blue dress coat, matching Strathberry bag and diamond brooch last worn by Princess Anne in 2017.

Prince Harry arrives with Princess Beatrice and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi

Sisters Princess Eugenie and Beatrice took opposing routes, the former in subdued navy Fendi and the later a hot pink Beluah dress, a label whose tagline is “fighting slavery through fashion”. Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh was respectful in her Suzannah London white gown which, designer Suzannah Crabb told The Standard, “features a beautiful hand embroidered train inspired by gowns and regalia from the Queen’s Coronation in 1953.”


The celebrities

Dame Emma Thompson in Emilia Wickstead

While not heaving with Hollywood superstars like a Royal Wedding, a number of famous faces did pull focus. Dame Emma Thomspon was an early arriver, doing so in a flamboyant red and black rose woven opera coat by Emilia Wickstead. She was joined by Lionel Richie, who was dapper in a top hat and Garrad diamond brooch, Ant and Dec, in three-piece morning suits and Nick Cave who was ever the vamp in a black suit with dark hair slicked back. Also outside the Abbey was Dame Joanna Lumley, who is infamously fond of the royal family, and looked thrilled to be in attendance wearing her 60s style navy dress with a contrast white collar and white bowler hat.

Katy Perry in Vivienne Westwood

Stealing focus, though, was a sugar-pink Katy Perry who wore a bespoke suit from Vivienne Westwood, UK fashion’s late Queen of Punk, as she arrived with British Vogue’s editor in chief Edward Enninful.


The politicians

Penny Mordaunt, Lord President of the Council

Left and right came together as streams of UK politicians made their way into the Abbey for the ceremony. It was Penny Mordaunt, the Tory MP who is the Leader of the House of Commons and Lord President of the Privy Council, who stole the spotlight as she demonstrated impeccable upper body strength holding up the mighty 17th-century Sword of State for the duration of the service. Her outfit, a teal caped dress with golden fern embroidery from Hand and Lock, was more controversial, giving way to a string of less favourable memes.

Rishi Sunak and Akshata Murty

UK Prime Minster Rishi Sunak arrived with wife Akshata Murty, who opted for a soft blue, jacquard dress by London based designer Claire Mischevani. “It was an absolute pleasure to dress Mrs Murty, for such a momentous, British occasion,” the designer told The Standard. “As an independent British brand, it means so much to see our pieces worn to such occasions.”

Carrie Johnson, Boris Johnson, Liz Truss and Hugh O’Leary, Philip May and Theresa May

Former Prime Ministers included David Cameron and his wife Samantha, who wore a floral red frock with scarlet hat, Boris Johnson and his wife Carrie, who opted for a blue dress and navy tweed jacket, as well as Liz Truss and Thersea May who both braved shots of orange in their looks

And with no fear of controversy, it was Suella Braverman who won prize for most outlandish head piece as she demanded attention wearing an huge, cream organza fascinator and grey suit.


The international dignitaries

Felipe VI of Spain and Queen Letizia of Spain

The Coronation would not have been complete without a helping of international razz-matazz - and there was no shortage of that. Led by the woman dubbed Spain’s answer to Kate Middleton, Queen Letizia did not disappoint in a hot pink peplum skirt suit by Carolina Herrera, complemented by a wide brimmed hat as she made her way into the Abbey with husband, King Felipe. Marie-Chantal, Crown Princess of Greece was another adopter of the popular powder blue in her custom look by Mary Katrantzou, which she finished with an unconventional clutch - a model of Marcel Proust’s novel In Search of Lost Time. Rounding off the best dressed European royals was Princess Charlene of Monaco, who was ever-striking but understated in a pale beige, button-up skirt and blazer complete with sash-style drape.

Albert II, Prince of Monaco and Charlene, Princess of Monaco

Jill Biden, First Lady of the United States, opted for a periwinkle power suit, with matching gloves and ribbonned headpiece nestled in blonde hair. It comes after her shocking hot pink statement as she met with Akshata Murty at No.10 Downing Street yesterday. First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska, wife of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, also made an inspiring appearance alongside Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal in a monochromatic, pale-teal look. Her smart overcoat featured side pleats, worn over a coordinating slip dress and finished with drop pearl earrings and white heels.

Emmanuel and Brigitte Macron

French president Emmanuel Macron wore an all black suit and tie as he was joined by his wife Brigitte, who channelled quiet luxury in an uber-chic pastel pink dress and matching coat designed by Nicolas Ghesquière for Louis Vuitton.

Crown Prince Fumihito of Japan and Crown Princess Kiko

Elsewhere, looking resplendent in their respective national dress, were King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Queen Jetsun Pema of Bhutan, Queen Nanasipauʻu Tukuʻaho of Tonga, and Crown Princess Kiko of Japan.

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
London Ambulance Service Sees Record Emergency Demand as Heatwave Intensifies
British Chambers of Commerce Warns of Prolonged Weak Investment Climate Through 2027
Bank of England Holds Interest Rates as Inflation Risks Persist
UK Construction Sector Faces One Percent Contraction Amid Cost and Investment Pressures
Former DUP Leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson Convicted of Sexual Offences
Church of England Appoints Dr Linsay Cunningham to Lead Faith and Public Life Division
UK Armed Forces Day Marked Nationwide With Events From Aberdeen to the Scilly Isles
Rising Tensions in Edinburgh Prompt Joint Warning From Scottish Local Government Leaders
UK Construction Sector Forecast to Contract One Percent in 2026 on Cost Pressures
UK Parliament Backs 87 Percent Emissions Cut as Government Deepens Electrification Drive
British Chambers of Commerce Forecast Weak UK Growth as Investment and Demand Slow
Bank of England Holds Interest Rates at 3.75 Percent Amid Energy and Inflation Uncertainty
London Ambulance Service Reports Record Surge in Life-Threatening Emergency Calls During Heatwave
UK Parliament Approves Legally Binding 87 Percent Emissions Cut Target by 2040
United Kingdom Records Third Consecutive Day of Record June Heat as Europe Faces Worsening Heatwave
Robert Jenrick Defends £5 Million Donation to Nigel Farage Amid Political Scrutiny
Plymouth Museum The Box Wins 2026 Art Fund Museum of the Year Award
UK Government Faces Backlash Over Plans to Use Former Military Sites for Asylum Accommodation
Labour Party Faces Pressure Over Cabinet Stability as Senior Figures Clash on Policy Direction
Heathrow Airport Forecasts Passenger Decline in 2026 as Costs and Climate Disruption Mount
UK Energy Regulator Approves Expansion of Long-Duration Storage to Boost Power System Resilience
Crown Estate Reports Third Consecutive Year of £1 Billion Profit as Debate Over Royal Finances Intensifies
Teenager Charged With Murder in Wales Following Death of 14-Year-Old Boy
Nottingham University Hospitals Maternity Failures Trigger Calls for Public Inquiry Into Patient Safety
EasyJet Rejects £4.9 Billion Takeover Offer From Castlelake but Keeps Door Open for Further Talks
Record Heatwave Triggers UK Transport and Infrastructure Strain as Heathrow Revises Passenger Forecast Downward
Ofgem Approves Sixteen Long-Duration Energy Storage Projects to Strengthen UK Grid Stability
Labour Government Faces Internal Tensions Over Cabinet Decisions and Net Zero Policy Direction
British Food and Drink Exports Fall to Decade Low Amid Trade Friction and US Tariffs
Great Britain Grid Operator Spends £10 Million to Stabilize Electricity Supply During Heatwave Demand Surge
UK Parliament Committee Calls for Urgent National Adaptation Strategy as Extreme Heat Strains Public Infrastructure
Record-Breaking Heatwave Pushes England’s National Health Service to Critical Incident Status as Hospitals Struggle With Surge in Emergencies
UK Government Launches Review of Voluntary National Insurance Contributions System
UK Planning Inspectorate Reports Key Infrastructure and Planning Milestones in Annual Review
UK Government Reviews Travel Expense Reimbursement Rates for Employers and Employees
Civil Nuclear Constabulary Launches National Digital Memorial for Officers Killed in Service
UK and US Expand Collaboration on Nuclear Fusion Research and Workforce Exchange
Environment Agency Secures £275,000 Enforcement Deal with Anglian Water Over Permit Breaches
Independent Inspector Flags Ongoing Failures in UK Home Office Border Case Management
UK Government Considers Zero VAT Rate on Land for Social Housing Development
Bank of England Reports Sharp Drop in Emissions and Warns on Climate-Driven Financial Risk
Consumer Confidence in the UK Falls at Fastest Quarterly Rate Since 2022
UK Borrowing Costs Rise Sharply on Gilt Markets Amid Fiscal and Political Concerns
UK Government Plans Legislation to Bring British Steel into Public Ownership
UK Government Secures £210 Million Nuclear Fuel Deal to Support Ukraine Energy Security
London Ambulance Service Reports Record Emergency Call Volume Amid Severe Heatwave
United Kingdom Faces Record June Heatwave as Temperatures Hit 36.7°C in Somerset
UK Financial Services Reform Debate Intensifies Over Ministerial Regulatory Powers
UK Energy Price Cap Rise Expected to Keep Inflation Above Target Through 2026
UK Biohacking and AI Wellness Trends Drive Surge in Personal Health Monitoring
×