31 of the most daring outfits royals have ever worn
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- Royals often have to stick to a dress code, but sometimes they surprise fans with a daring look.
- Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle have both worn dresses designed with thigh-high slits.
- Princess Diana wasn't afraid of off-the-shoulder gowns and low-cut necklines.
When you think of royal fashion, you likely think of extravagant ball gowns, prim coatdresses, or jewelry worth tens of thousands of dollars.
But royals sometimes experiment with their style. Some have used clothes to send subtle messages, while others have discussed unspoken rules around fashion, such as Meghan Markle's assertion that British royal family members shouldn't wear the same color.
And on other occasions, royals have been known to step outside their comfort zones and wear bold looks. Take a look at some of the most daring outfits royals have worn to date.
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The colorful dress was designed with a leg slit on one side.
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She completed her look by wearing the famous Lover's Knot tiara.
Princess Diana archive
It was dubbed the "revenge dress" because she wore it on the same night then-Prince Charles' controversial tell-all interview aired.
He admitted to having an affair in the television documentary.
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The halter-style dress was designed with a low-cut neckline and a partially open back.
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She arrived at the gala in Washington, DC, carrying a matching white clutch.
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After this moment, one of the Queen's tailors reportedly started sewing small weights into the hems of all royal garments to prevent them from blowing up in the wind.
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She wore a pair of neutral heels with her blue dress.
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The dress featured a plunging neckline and a thigh-high slit.
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The cream gown featured a lace bodice and a thigh-high slit.
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Kate walked the red carpet in an off-the-shoulder gown from Alexander McQueen. She wore the dress again in 2019 but made it look brand-new by adding cap sleeves.
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She wore a pair of platform heels with the dress.
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She completed the look with a pair of neutral Prada heels.
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The Duchess of Sussex wore a $75,000 Ralph & Russo dress that was designed with a sheer top and full skirt.
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The gown was designed with a low-cut neckline and slightly off-the-shoulder sleeves.
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The duchess' dress featured off-the-shoulder sleeves and button detailing on the bodice.
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Markle wore a tuxedo minidress from the Canadian brand Judith and Charles with black pumps.
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The dress had spaghetti straps and a thigh-high slit.
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As Business Insider previously reported, it's possible that the skirt's material and pleated design just created the illusion that Meghan's legs were visible underneath.
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The dress was designed with a plunging neckline and a neutral lining underneath.
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Roland Mouret designed her black-and-white gown, which had an off-the-shoulder neckline and hugged her figure.
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The halter gown featured a plunging neckline and a thigh-high slit on the ball gown skirt.
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The gown, designed by Markarian, had a black belt, and Beatrice accessorized with a simple white clutch.
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Kate first wore the dress to the 2019 BAFTAs, but she revamped the white ball gown for the 2023 awards.
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The borrowed dress was bright green and form-fitting.
The gown's off-the-shoulder neckline and subtle slit in the back of the skirt gave it a daring edge.
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The princess' periwinkle top was asymmetrical, flowing to the floor on one side.
A subtle, floral pattern trimmed the shirt, separating it from the coordinating pants she paired with it.
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The midi-length, gold dress was strapless, and it had a triangular cutout in the center of the bodice.
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The high-neck garment's blue lace sat atop tan fabric, creating the illusion that Beatrice's skin was visible beneath the fabric. A ruffled hem added to the look's feminine feel.
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The white jumpsuit sat off of Meghan's shoulders, while the pants were wide-legged.
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The taupe dress also featured slits on the floor-length skirt.
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The black dress was elegant thanks to its Sabrina neckline and long sleeves, but a slit with gold button detailing above it added drama to the look.
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The white Heidi Merrick dress had a halter neckline that tied in an oversized bow and created a triangular cutout on the bodice.
A tiered skirt softened the look.