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Best royal maternity fashion moments, from Princess Diana to Meghan Markle

Diana's ballerina-inspired dress is HEAVEN đź’•

By Amy Bannerman

Many pregnant folk relish the opportunity of existing on a diet of mashed potato for breakfast, wearing a tracksuit for nine months and pretending that high heels were never invented. But it's quite a different story if you're a pregnant royal - it's not all cream teas with the Queen and polishing your tiara collection.

Did you know the royals have loads of extra rules around pregnancy dressing? For example, it’s royal dress code to wear closed-toed shoes, and the rule applies no matter how swollen a pregnant royal’s feet get. Er. OW! For more casual public appearances, like a sporting event or a red carpet thing, royals might show their toes. Scandalous. Trainers would never be seen as royals tend to wear heels—not even flats—throughout their entire pregnancy. They also seem to dress more modestly, so essentially the larger the bump gets, the higher the neckline rises.

Once the baby arrives there are sartorial rules for the bub too! Causal clothes are a big 'nope' (so no Peppa Pig tracksuits, unfortunately) and they have to wear formal clothes in public, which is why Prince George is always in knee socks and shorts. Bless.

Scroll through to see the most iconic royal maternity fashion moments over the years, from Princess Diana to Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge (AKA Kate Middleton), Meghan Markle and more.

1

Best royal maternity fashion: Meghan Markle

Overnight, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex (AKA Prince Harry and Meghan Markle) announced that they're expecting their second child - huzzah! - with a seriously chic photoshoot. For the occasion, the couple wore surprisingly casual looks, reclining under a tree barefoot with Meghan wearing the prettiest sleeveless maxi dress. Yup, we're here for it.

2

Best royal maternity fashion: Princess Diana

diana, princess of wales, wearing a pink mohair bellville sassoon maternity coat, in huddersfield, uk, 22nd march 1982
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The coat to end all coats. Man alive, this pink mohair fringy collar beauty is the ultimate bump-friendly outfit, worn for one of Diana's many royal engagements. Look for similar styles in vintage/charity shops, whether you have a bump or not!

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3

Best royal maternity fashion: Meghan Markle

meghan, duchess of sussex on stage during the fashion awards 2018 on december 10, 2018 in london, england wearing a one shouldered velvet custom givenchy dress
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This image is just iconic. The custom Givenchy dress, her smile, the jewellery, the hands, the simple hair and makeup and the nail varnish that gloriously skirts royal protocol.

4

Best royal maternity fashion: Kate Middleton

catherine, duchess of cambridge arrives at an evening reception to celebrate the work of the art room charity at the national portrait gallery on april 24, 2013 wearing a baby blue sleeveless dress
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Kate, always so elegant, always so demure. This aqua dress is the perfect shape to show off her growing bump.

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5

Best royal maternity fashion: Princess Diana

princess diana, pregnant with her second baby, wearing a maternity dress with the spencer family tiara, royal family orders and a diamond necklace in the shape of the prince of wales feathers, for an event at the royal academy
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This outfit is like the epitome of a princess. A semi-bridal looking number with a full-on tiara is definitely not a maternity look most people could pull off but it looks alllllmost as comfortable as a tracksuit?

6

Best royal maternity fashion: Kate Middleton

catherine, duchess of cambridge and prince william, duke of cambridge visit the xlp christ church on march 27, 2015 in london, england wearing a neon pink dress with black buttons and black high heels
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Kate follows in the Queen's colourful footsteps in this neon pink coat that almost needs sunglasses to register it. The double breasted shape just skims over the royal bump.

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7

Best royal maternity fashion: Princess Anne

princess anne with her husband, mark phillips, weeks before the arrival of their daughter, attending the wedding of her sister in law wearing a white cape coat and a striped blouse with matching turban
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We don't even know where to start with why we love this ensemble so much. The blouse kind of merges in to an incredible headpiece and also has a neck tie ideal for pinning a diamond brooch. And don't even get us started on that maternity cape. Wow.

8

Best royal maternity fashion: Princess Diana

diana, princess of wales, pregnant with her second son, prince harry, attending the film premiere of 'indiana jones and the temple of doom' in leicester square just weeks before his birth she is wearing a pale blue catherine walker gown
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This is '80s heaven, the drop waist satin elegantly outlines Diana's silhouette. This colour is ultra chic with Diana's blonde hair and her silver clutch and shoes add a futuristic element that we love.

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9

Best royal maternity fashion: Meghan Markle

meghan, duchess of sussex arrives for a visit to the royal variety charity's at brinsworth house on december 18, 2018 in twickenham, england wearing a floral dress and a grey wool coat
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No '80s style loose dresses for Meghan, this floral dress shows off her bump to perfection and we love the way she's clashed something quite summery with a heavier winter coat.

10

Best royal maternity fashion: Sarah Ferguson

sarah, duchess of york, attends a polo match at windsor wearing a sailor suit, 15th june 1988 she is pregnant with her daughter princess beatrice
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Admittedly the Duchess of York looks a bit like she's going to a fancy dress party, but this was the 80s baby! We love the commitment to the vibe, the matching hat, bag, shoes and even gloves.

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11

Best royal maternity fashion: Princess Diana

a very pregnant diana, princess of wales with prince charles, prince of wales attend a polo event at windsor great park in june, 1982 in windsor, england wearing a pale pink tulle dress and a white cardigan
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This is an ultimate pregnant princess look. Diana looks slightly like she's stepped out of a production of Swan Lake but in the best possible way. We love the romance and softness of the colours and the pale tights are so inappropriate for a muddy field that it somehow makes it all a bit rock n' roll.

12

Best royal maternity fashion: Kate Middleton

catherine, duchess of cambridge attends and presents the 1st battalion irish guardsmen with shamrocks during the annual irish guards st patrick's day parade at cavalry barracks on march 17, 2018 in hounslow, england wearing a green coat with black fur trim and a green fascinator
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Kate went all out at a St Patrick's Day Parade wearing a very fitting green, we love the cosy collar and cuffs and her matching hat. Such a regal look!

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13

Best royal maternity fashion: Meghan Markle

meghan, duchess of sussex and prince harry, duke of sussex attends a reception hosted by the british ambassador to morocco at the british residence during the second day of her tour of morocco on february 24, 2019 in rabat, morocco wearing an oyster coloured cape dress with matching accessories
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GODDESS. This isn't any dress, this is a custom Dior cape dress. Harry and Meghan made quite the entrance during a trip to Morocco, both with the pregnancy glow. We love her oyster colour accessories and simple bun, so chic.

14

Best royal maternity fashion: Kate Middleton

catherine, duchess of cambridge attends the national review of queen's scouts at windsor castle on april 21, 2013 wearing a green skirt suit with big metal flower buttons
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We're big fans of this slightly Queen Mother ensemble, the huge flower buttons stop it from looking fuddy duddy and the knitted fabric is stretchy, meaning Kate was super comfy while on duty.

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15

Best royal maternity fashion: Meghan Markle

december 25 meghan, duchess of sussex and prince harry, duke of sussex attend christmas day church service at church of st mary magdalene on the sandringham estate on december 25, 2018 in king's lynn, england wearing knee boots, a dark overcoat and dress with a black fascinator
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On Christmas Day, while the rest of us were lying around in our pyjamas eating quality streets, these two dressed up to the nines for a public appearance. This outfit had us Googling "navy coats" within a millisecond of seeing it.

16

Best royal maternity fashion: Kate Middleton

catherine, duchess of cambridge, wearing a pale pink alexander mcqueen coat and jane taylor fascinator, attends the observance for commonwealth day service at westminster abbey in london
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This sweet pink number is by Alexander McQueen, the same house who made Kate's wedding dress. The royals LOVE a fascinator, this special one is by Jane Taylor.

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