Style Experts Say These 6 Young Royals Are Redefining Royal Fashion
A new generation of royals is mixing high-street labels, re-wears, and relaxed tailoring — and style experts say it’s making monarchy fashion feel more modern and relatable.
For years, royal style followed a pretty rigid formula: sensible coatdress, neutral pumps, classic clutch, repeat. It was elegant, but it was also designed not to rock the boat or start a conversation.
That’s starting to shift. A new wave of younger royals is trading stiff, “don’t look at me” outfits for clothes that feel modern, wearable, and real. Their wardrobes still nod to protocol, but they mix high-street with high-end, repeat outfits without apology, and choose pieces that work for their actual lives.
To understand what’s really going on, fashion expert Leanna Spektor, co-founder and style specialist at Australian retailer Brand House Direct, has been studying how six younger royals are rewriting the royal dress code. She points out that their influence comes less from dramatic gowns and more from consistency and credibility: they dress in ways that feel natural rather than performative, and that’s exactly what resonates with the public right now.
“Royal style used to be aspirational in a distant way; now people notice the choices that feel thoughtful and real,” Spektor explains.
Here’s how these six royals are becoming fashion icons in the making.
Princess Leonor of Spain: Discipline with a playful streak
Heir to the Spanish throne, Princess Leonor of Spain has one of the most instantly recognizable wardrobes of this new generation — and right now, a lot of that centers on her military training.
Her recent appearances in full dress uniform have been a big part of her public image, and they’re doing more than just ticking a ceremonial box. Those looks underline discipline, duty, and the reality of her future role. It’s a very literal way of wearing responsibility on her sleeve.
Step outside the academy, though, and Leonor’s style shifts into something softer and more youthful. Earlier public engagements leaned into frilled mini dresses, espadrilles, and flat pumps. Over time, that’s evolved into bouclé skirt suits, longer hemlines, and rich, saturated colors that read more “future queen” than “teen princess.”
Her pointed kitten heels are becoming a signature — polished, feminine, and practical enough to move in. Even bolder choices, like a bright pink trouser suit, feel fun but never costume-y. Off duty, she keeps it simple with relaxed shirts, white denim, and unfussy, neutral palettes that give her a modern, low-key European vibe.
Princess Elisabeth of Belgium: High-low contrast queen
If Leonor is all about evolution, Princess Elisabeth of Belgium is about range. One day, she’s biking around in trainers and cargo trousers; the next, she’s in a caped gown turning a royal wedding into a runway moment.
Her “student” wardrobe looks like something you’d spot on any campus: wide-leg jeans, high-street labels, simple knits, and minimal accessories. That relatability is exactly what makes her style click — nothing feels forced or overly polished when it doesn’t need to be.
Then you see her at formal events, and it’s a different story: bold reds, sculpted gowns, and dramatic silhouettes that still stop short of being over-the-top. She moves comfortably between Dior and Dries Van Noten, Zara and Ba&Sh, which mirrors how a lot of younger shoppers actually dress, mixing a statement investment piece with something pulled from a regular mall rack.
As Spektor puts it, “Elisabeth understands context exceptionally well. She dresses for the moment she is in, and that adaptability is what makes her influential.”
Prince Christian of Denmark: Quietly confident Scandinavian minimalism
Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary’s eldest son, Prince Christian of Denmark, is still in the early days of defining his personal style — but the direction is clear.
Official portraits show him looking equally at ease in black-tie and more casual denim-and-blazer combinations. The common thread is clean lines and no unnecessary fuss. There’s nothing shouting for attention, no quirky tailoring moment, just well-cut pieces that fit and suit him.
His look lines up neatly with Scandinavian design DNA: practical, streamlined, and quietly polished. For a future king, that kind of restraint is almost the point. As Spektor notes, “For young male royals, restraint is usually the smartest move. Christian’s style feels calm and assured, which is exactly what people expect from a future king.”
Prince Jacques of Monaco: Polished but approachable
At just eleven, Prince Jacques of Monaco is obviously not curating his own closet — but the public-facing wardrobe choices are already telling a story.
We’ve seen him in coordinated coats and outerwear alongside his twin sister, as well as in more relaxed looks like knitwear and trainers. The through-line is balance: designer pieces and structured jackets are softened with comfortable, kid-friendly styling so he still looks like, well, a child.
That matters more than it might seem. “Even at a young age, these moments matter,” Spektor explains. “They shape how the public connects with the next generation, and relaxed dressing plays a big part in that.” Jacques’ outfits present Monaco’s future in a way that’s warm and approachable, rather than stiff or overly formal.
Count Nikolai of Monpezat: Runway-ready royal
On the other end of the spectrum is Count Nikolai of Monpezat, who has already built a serious career in fashion outside the royal bubble. He’s walked for houses like Dior and Burberry and fronted high-profile campaigns — and you can see that industry influence in how he dresses off the runway.
Nikolai leans into classic suiting with updated proportions: slimmer cuts, relaxed shoulders, and styling that feels more editorial than traditional. There’s clear inspiration from his grandfather, Prince Henrik, which gives everything a sense of heritage, but the end result still feels very current.
“Nikolai shows how tradition and trend can coexist,” says Spektor. “He respects classic tailoring but wears it with a freedom that feels very current. His independence from full-time royal duties allows his fashion presence to feel self-directed, adding to his appeal.”
He’s a good example of how a royal title plus genuine fashion-world credibility can create a different type of style influence — one that doesn’t rely on palace photo calls.
Lady Louise Windsor: Quiet, thoughtful, and deeply British
While some young royals lean into big fashion moments, Lady Louise Windsor stands out for almost the opposite reason.
Her style has developed slowly and steadily, with an emphasis on re-wearing outfits, leaning on British designers, and subtly incorporating family heirlooms and accessories. You’ll see her in tailored coats at Sandringham, floral dresses at state occasions, and more relaxed blazers and scarves at equestrian events or university gatherings.
She often borrows pieces from her mother’s wardrobe, which reinforces a sense of continuity and family history. Nothing about her clothes feels like it’s chasing headlines or trying to generate viral moments — and that’s exactly why people respond to it.
“Louise’s appeal lies in her restraint,” Spektor explains. “She is never dressing for attention, and that authenticity resonates deeply.”
The new royal style rule: Wear it like a real person
Taken together, these six young royals are showing how royal fashion is evolving away from untouchable, “dress for the portrait” perfection and toward something more grounded.
Spektor says the influence now comes from consistency and character, not spectacle. Re-wearing a favorite coat, mixing an accessible brand with a designer bag, choosing an outfit that makes sense for the actual event — those are the choices that feel believable to people watching from the sidelines.
“That matters to the fashion industry because influence today is built on trust,” she notes. When a royal shows up dressed in a way that looks like real life — even if the price tags are out of reach — the connection hits differently than a gown you’ll only ever see in a museum exhibit.
It’s still the monarchy. There will always be tiaras, uniforms, and balcony appearances. But thanks to this younger generation, royal style is starting to feel less like a costume and more like a wardrobe someone might actually live in.
If you’re into this quieter, polished version of royal style and want ideas you can actually wear, you might like this breakdown of Victoria Beckham–inspired wardrobe staples that make everyday outfits look more expensive. And if you’re more of a magpie for jewelry, this deep dive into Margot Robbie’s Wuthering Heights–era pieces is a fun look at the kind of dramatic accessories that wouldn’t feel out of place in a royal collection.
This piece is based on expert insights from Leanna Spektor, co-founder and style expert at Australian online retailer Brand House Direct, which specialises in footwear, apparel, and accessories across more than 80 international brands.
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