For decades, denim was practically off-limits for royals. But from trailblazer Princess Anne to Queen Letizia, it has evolved from a symbol of rebellion to a staple in the royal wardrobe.
On September 1st, at Ryvangen Park in Østerbro, Copenhagen, Queen Mary of Denmark launched Nature Week 2025 alongside Danish schoolchildren, observing insects, tracking animal footprints, and lighting campfires with matches the traditional way.
© Martin Sylvest AndersenBut beyond the outdoor activities, what truly caught attention was her outfit, which consisted of hiking pants paired with a denim shirt. A seemingly simple choice, yet one that connects Mary to a broader trend among modern royals.
© Martin Sylvest AndersenJust like Meghan Markle in her Californian looks, Kate Middleton during recent appearances in Scotland, and Queen Letizia this summer, Mary shows that denim is no longer taboo in royal circles.
© Martin Sylvest AndersenWhy were jeans unthinkable at the palace?
Just a few decades ago, the sight of a queen or princess wearing pants would’ve been disruptive. Royal women's wardrobes were dominated by skirt suits and ladylike silhouettes, almost an extension of protocol itself.
It was Grace Kelly who, in Monaco, began to normalize wide-leg pants for informal events. In the UK, Princess Diana naturally wore jeans to charity events, marking a turning point.
© Archive PhotosToday, royals not only wear trousers regularly, but they also embrace denim shirts. This is where Mary connects with a lineage of women who’ve skillfully reinterpreted royal dress codes with nods to modernity.
© Tim GrahamMeghan Markle's denim looks:
When it comes to shirts as a royal staple, Meghan Markle is the modern pioneer. In the second season of her Netflix docuseries, it's clear that shirts are one of her signature pieces, as they are sober, versatile, and easily adaptable to various settings.
During her years in California, when her style leaned more towards L.A. streetwear, Meghan wore denim shirts multiple times, even paired with matching shorts in a very relaxed look.
© NetflixIn 2019, at the U.S. Open, supporting her friend Serena Williams, Meghan wore a denim shirtdress. It was both a tribute to the sporty American spirit and a demonstration that denim, far from being a 'lesser' fabric, can be elegant with the right attitude.
Kate Middleton joins the trend:
The Princess of Wales has also embraced the trend. Earlier this year, during a visit to the islands of Mull and Iona in Scotland, she wore a denim shirt paired with countryside-style pants.
© WPA PoolAnd in 2023, at a scouting event in London, she repeated the formula with a similar garment, proving that denim can work in both family and public settings.
Kate, always more restrained in her fashion choices, represents the British take on this trend, wearing casual pieces elevated by classic accessories and tasteful styling.
© Samir HusseinQueen Letizia's all-denim outfit:
The trend has crossed over to Spain as well. Queen Letizia joined the denim wave this past summer with a full denim look, including shirt and pants, during her visit to wildfire-affected areas in Cáceres on August 29.
© Carlos AlvarezWas Princess Anne ahead of her time?
But when it comes to royals and denim, perhaps no one was more ahead of her time than Princess Anne. In the summer of 1964, at just 14 years old, she was photographed aboard the royal yacht Bloodhound during the Cowes Week regatta on the Isle of Wight, wearing a short-sleeve denim-style shirt.
In a look that could easily pass for modern festival wear today, the photo shows a young Anne smiling, in an era when princesses hardly dared to wear pants.
© Princess Diana MuseumThe evolution of denim:
The denim shirt was originally designed as a functional garment in the U.S., made for miners and workers in the West. Over time, it became the uniform of cowboys, an icon of American culture symbolizing toughness, masculinity, and a pioneering spirit.
In the 20th century, Hollywood elevated it, from John Wayne to James Dean, and even Marilyn Monroe. Today, it is a statement of freedom, authenticity, and modern style.
© Princess Diana MuseumThis time, Mary wore a Polo Ralph Lauren design. Since the late 1960s, the New York designer has been the ultimate storyteller of the American dream through fashion. His shirts, whether denim, linen, or Oxford, have become a large trend.
From places as different as a Danish park, a New York stadium, or a Scottish island, Mary, Meghan, and Kate are speaking the same fashion language. What was once a protocol violation is now a way to express modernity, connection with the public, and a reminder that royalty evolves too.
