Blue is not for everyone. It is for those who understand the power of simplicity, who know that true power lies beyond ostentation.
Blue is more than just a color, it’s a statement. Thousands of years ago, it was the color of royalty, of those born to lead. During the 6th–7th centuries BC, one of the rare sources of blue was lapis lazuli, a rare mineral that was even more expensive than gold. Even the golden mask of Pharaoh Tutankhamun (1323 BC) was decorated with blue, a testament to the special value of this color in history.
Blue is not for everyone. It is for those who understand the power of simplicity, those who know that true power lies not in ostentatious things. Let’s explore with L’OFFICIEL Vietnam the impressive fashion moments of European royalty in this color and find inspiration for your own style!
In February 1981, Princess Diana and King Charles III officially announced their engagement. Diana wore a Cojana blue dress, a bow-tie shirt, and carried a black leather purse. A beauty that was both sweet and a little shy at the age of 19, but the 12-carat sapphire on her ring finger shone in a different way – deep, proud, and full of weight. That ring not only represented the engagement, but also a family heirloom, quietly waiting for the day it would be on Kate Middleton’s hand. Beside her, Charles III chose a neat gray suit, a light blue shirt, and a blue-and-white polka-dot tie.
In October 2022, Princess Kate attended a public event wearing a vintage CHANEL double-breasted blazer from the 1995 collection, paired with black trousers. The highlight of the outfit was a lapis lazuli necklace from British jewelry brand Astley Clarke.
During her visit to the Commonwealth nation of Belize, the Princess of Wales opted for a Tory Burch blue dress, which paid homage to the country’s flag. She completed the look with navy Sézane earrings and Stuart Weitzman heeled sandals. The outfit not only reflected Kate’s appreciation of the local culture, but also her ability to use color to enhance the mood on official trips.
Another time, for the Trooping the Colour parade, Princess Kate chose an emerald green dress by French fashion house Andrew Gn. The special feature of the outfit was the beaded and buttoned pattern in navy, green and turquoise. To complete the look, Kate paired it with an elegant hat by Philip Treacy and sapphire and diamond earrings – a memento inherited from Princess Diana.
At the coronation of King Charles III in Edinburgh, Scotland, Princess Kate continued to assert her royal style with a Catherine Walker couture gown. To complete the look, she combined it with a navy blue hat by Philip Treacy and Emmy London heels, creating a regal “All Blue” look.
On the day Princess Charlotte was born, Prince William held hands with Prince George and stepped out in public, both wearing matching shades of blue. No need for fancy words or elaborate gestures, just the shade of blue was enough to depict the bond of the British royal family.
A gala night in Florence, Italy – golden lights, laughter and the clinking of crystal glasses. In the midst of this scene, Princess Diana appeared, resplendent in a Jack Azagury ballet dress. The black velvet bodice was embroidered with blue silk stars, while the billowing skirt was made of blue organza. This iconic dress was later auctioned in the US in 2023 for a record-breaking $1.143 million, a testament to the influence of Princess Diana’s style.
During her visit to Australia with Prince Charles, Princess Diana chose a pink and blue floral print dress by Catherine Walker. She paired it with a sapphire and diamond jewelry set – a wedding gift from Prince Fahd of Saudi Arabia.
When welcoming US President John F. Kennedy and First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy at Buckingham Palace, Queen Elizabeth II chose a royal blue chiffon dress designed by Norman Hartnell – the designer behind her coronation gown. In particular, she wore a precious sapphire necklace from King George VI and a wedding brooch from Queen Victoria, representing the continuation of royal tradition through the generations.
On the occasion of her 25th anniversary, Queen Elizabeth II visited New Zealand in an elegant blue dress, matching hat and scarf, and especially wore a historic royal blue brooch. This brooch was a wedding gift from Prince Albert to Queen Victoria in 1840.
Not only the outfit, but also the accessories that go with it have to match! During a visit to the National Tennis Centre in Roehampton, London, Queen Elizabeth II carried a royal blue umbrella from Fulton – her signature transparent umbrella with a colored border.
During Easter in April 2023, King Charles III and Queen Camilla matched their elegant blue outfits. Queen Camilla chose an Anna Valentine dress, combined with a Philip Treacy hat and a CHANEL bag. The highlight was the Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra bracelet in blue agate.
When it comes to royal jewels of historical value, we cannot ignore the Leuchtenberg Sapphire Parure – a masterpiece crafted from diamonds and deep blue sapphires. This set of jewels originally belonged to Empress Joséphine, wife of Emperor Napoleon I. Around 1810-1811, she gave it to her adopted daughter, Princess Auguste, to celebrate the birth of her grandson, Prince August. But how did it become a treasure of the Swedish Royal Family? It all started with a royal marriage: Joséphine’s granddaughter married Oscar I, son of the Swedish King Karl XIV Johan, and brought the set of jewels into the Swedish court.
Today, the Leuchtenberg Sapphire Parure is one of Queen Silvia of Sweden’s favorite pieces. In 2012, she wore it to the Nobel Prize Ceremony, making it one of the most talked-about pieces of jewelry that night.
In April 2024, Queen Letizia of Spain appeared elegantly at a state banquet in the Netherlands. She chose a dark blue silk dress with a minimalist design but exuded the majesty befitting the style of a queen.
Photo: Getty Images