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A letter typed from Anne Beckwith-Smith – Diana’s lady-in-waiting – sent to designer Elizabeth Emanuel shows the strict fashion rules Diana had to follow during her working royal life.
Before her Gulf Tour of 1986, Diana had to plan exactly what she would wear during the visit, including the length of hemlines, long sleeves and full skirts.
The letter reads: “Certain special requirements concerning dress need to be observed and I am writing to ask if it would be possible to submit to The Princess of Wales a few sketches for day and evening wear from which Her Royal Highness could select items for this tour.
“Their Royal Highnesses will be visiting Oman, Qatar, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia…in all cases modesty is the order of the day.”
A variety of sketches have come to light of Diana’s potential evening and daywear she wore during the trip.
The sketches include a black and white evening gown, a red collared day dress and there was also a design of a traditional burka within the designs.
Diana chose lower hemlines and kept her arms and shoulder covered.
After marrying into the Royal Family, the Duchess of Cambridge and Duchess of Sussex also observe certain protocol at public engagements.
Meghan and Kate have been seen wearing nude tights with certain dresses and skirts. It’s understood the Queen prefers female members of the Royal Family to keep their legs covered.
Colourful nail polish is also avoided, instead royals must opt for nude, pale pinks or clear polishes on their nails.
The Queen has worn the same nail polish shade since 1989 – Essie’s Ballet Slippers.
Royals must always have an all-black outfit on hand in case of an unexpected death.
This became a rule after Queen Elizabeth had to rush back from Kenya in 1952 after her father, King George VI died.
Royal women also avoid short skirts, usually making sure hemlines sit around the knees or below them.
Female members of the Royal Family also seek to protect their modesty. Princess Diana was known to cover up her cleavage using a clutch bag when she stepped out of a car.
The Queen is said to dislike female royals wearing wedges, however Kate has been known to wear them when the Queen is not present.
A royal source told Vanity Fair: “The Queen isn’t a fan of wedges shoes. She really doesn’t like them and it’s well known among the women in the family.”
Meghan and Kate also wear hats for formal events, but no headwear is to be worn after 6pm other than a tiara.
Female royals should not take off their coats in public, the reason for this is that taking off a coat is seen an unladylike action and not fitting for a duchess of princess.
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