On May 6, over 2,000 guests attended the coronation of King Charles III, who ascended the throne at the age of 73.
Fashion is always one of the main stars of the show at these events, and dupes for coronation outfits began showing up almost as soon as the ceremony was over. While many of the men showed up in military regalia or morning dress, the women got to have more fun, albeit within the confines of propriety.
Here are some of the looks that might get a second life on high streets.
Solid choices
Perhaps as a nod to Queen Elizabeth’s love of dressing in one shade head-to-toe, many of the coronation’s guests chose to make a statement in solids. Singer Katy Perry, who showed up on the arm of British Vogue editor-in-chief Edward Enninful, wore a lilac outfit by the late Vivienne Westwood, including a matching hat. Pippa Middleton, sister to the Princess of Wales, chose a pale yellow coat dress by British designer Claire Mischevani, who also created the baby blue dress worn by Akshata Murthy, wife of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
Meaningful florals
Spring flowers were everywhere, from bold prints to subtle details. Queen Consort Camilla Bowles wore an embroidered outfit by British designer Bruce Odfield that featured gold and silver daisy chains, forget-me-nots, celandine and scarlet pimpernel with an underskirt and cuffs covered in roses, thistles, daffodils and shamrocks, and meant to represent the four nations of the United Kingdom. Actor Emma Thompson wore a bright red rose-patterned coat by British designer Emilia Wickstead, and Samantha Cameron, wife of former British Prime Minister David Cameron, wore a white dress covered in a tiny floral print from her own London-based Cefinn label.
Hat tips
The crown may have been the star of the show, but it certainly wasn’t the only talked-about hat. Zara Tindall, daughter of Anne, Princess Royal, wore a blue coat dress from London designer Laura Green topped with a feathered hat by Juliette Botterill, and Queen Letizia of Spain wore a bright pink Carolina Herrera outfit and a dome-shaped Balel straw hat. And Australia’s former foreign minister Julie Bishop made a splash in a pale cream dress covered in applique flowers designed by Australian brand Zimmerman, topped by an extravagant high fascinator by Nerida Winter in collaboration with Nicky Zimmerman.
Pearly whites
In another tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth, many of the guests opted for pearls instead of more sparkly gemstones. The Princess of Wales wore South Sea Pearl Earrings that once belonged to her late mother-in-law, Princess Diana. Charlene, Princess of Monaco, added dainty pearl earrings to her tonal blush outfit for a slight glow. Queen Mathilde of Belgium paired her white Philip Treacy hat with a bold pearl choker.
Top tier
There were also plenty of things that resembled tiaras, including the nontraditional, custom matching mother/daughter leafy headpieces seen on the Princess of Wales and daughter Charlotte, designed by Jess Collette and Alexander McQueen. Princess Beatrice wore a pleated gold headpiece that fell somewhere between a headband and a hat. And Penny Mordaunt, leader of the House of Commons, sported a bold teal headdress made by milliner Jane Taylor to match her outfit by London-based label Safiyaa and practically broke the internet.
