Style

Princess Eugenie defies royal-fashion rules in daring knee-high boots

Apr 19, 2018

Princess Eugenie appeared to throw the rule book out on this outing. Source: Getty.

She’s never been one to strictly follow royal protocol when it comes to fashion, but Princess Eugenie opted for a vary daring choice on her latest outing with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.

The newly engaged royal, 28, joined the loved-up couple at the Commonwealth Youth Forum in London, and looked in great spirits as she flashed a huge grin to fans waiting outside.

But it was her outfit that really caught attention. The princess opted for some slouchy knee-high black boots, and chose not to wear stockings on the unusually bright day in the city.

She coupled her boots with a short floral dress, reportedly costing £125 (AU$227) from fashion store Whistles, which she previously wore at a party in November 2017, alongside her sister Princess Beatrice. This time, Eugenie showed off her shorter hair in a casual style, and appeared completely relaxed on camera.

While there are no set rules when it comes to royal fashion, choosing an outfit above the knee is rare – and many of the women in the family choose to wear stockings or tights with a shorter dress.

Princess Eugenie showed off her legs in the daring outfit. Source: Getty.

Eugenie, the youngest daughter of Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, is set to marry her long-term partner Jack Brooksbank on October 12 – just months after Harry and Meghan tie the knot.

Meanwhile, she joined her cousin and his wife-to-be at the event, and Meghan stole the show in her own new spin on royal style, wearing a pretty striped sundress with a natty little handbag.

So far, so ordinary, you might think, particularly when it hit 25C in London – a relatively steamy day for the UK, which is undergoing an unusual heatwave – but royal pundits were quick to point out that there were two unusual elements to her look. For one, royals never bare their shoulders on formal engagements, and secondly, they never wear cross-body bags.

To be fair, this was no ordinary sundress, because the sleeveless off-white dress with a white pinstripe retails at US$1,995 (AU$2,560) from designer Altuzarra. And her bag, which she fashionably wore slung across her body, comes from Australia’s own Oroton, where it sells for relatively more modest $295 (US$229).

Royal fiance Meghan Markle wore an Australian handbag and blazer in a nod to the Commonwealth. Source: Getty

Sure enough, the bag is already sold out on Oroton’s site – even if wearing it does risk wrinkles across one’s dress, a look royals are most likely trying to avoid when they shun the style.

She paired the more casual look with a sexy pair of Tamara Melon strappy high heels (AU$610, US$495) and a AU$900 (US$700) Camilla and Marc – another Aussie brand – blazer slung over her shoulders. Once inside the venue, she ditched the blazer, baring her shoulders.

Her outfit had fashion fans swooning, with HarpersBazaar dubbing in the “perfect dress for spring, and People magazine dubbing it “effortless So-Cal style”.