The Least Fashionable Royals at the 2025 Trooping the Colour

Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, leaned into her usual silhouette with a forest green dress this year, but the result felt more like an unfashionable vintage tea frock than a royal showstopper. The fabric lacked structure around the bust, and the neckline provided no support, making the whole bodice slump. The shade did her no favors, either. It didn’t brighten her skin or pop, especially compared to the sunny yellow she wore at Trooping the Colour 2024. And the headband felt less like a regal accessory and more like an afterthought that vanished into her hair without adding anything. For such a highly anticipated once-in-a-year event, this look was too safe and not nearly fashionable enough.

Thanks to Duchess Birgitte’s styling choices, what could’ve been an elegant topper ended up looking like a crafting project gone rogue. The base of the hat wasn’t the problem; a sculpted pillbox hat is as fashionable as it gets. But the veil overlay was where it all came apart. Instead of soft tulle or delicate netting that drapes and flatters, Birgitte’s stylists opted for a thick, stiff mesh with the spacing of chicken wire. It sat awkwardly across her face, clashing with the refined silhouette beneath and drawing attention for all the wrong reasons. The rest of her outfit might’ve done justice to the 2025 Trooping the Colour parade if the hat hadn’t been so distracting.

During the Trooping the Colour 2025 carriage ride, Camilla, Queen Consort’s white silk dress from designer Anna Valentine actually looked nice — until the balcony appearance, where we finally got the full view. Once again, the queen consort’s commitment to volume continues at her own peril. The outfit was a tad bit awkwardly shaped, and it was clear that a little more tailoring or structure could have made a big difference. We also couldn’t help but notice how plain the entire dress looked. White is a darling hue, but a few pops of color somewhere could’ve helped — it is called Trooping the Colour, after all. Camilla, who was one of the worst-dressed royals at Trooping the Color 2024, was so close to escaping the most unfashionable list this year. Better luck next time.