King Charles and Queen Camilla’s first visit to Canada since taking the throne may be brief, but it’s a highly anticipated event nonetheless. The King and Queen’s two day visit to Ottawa (May 26-27) will feature a few appearances that are open to the public but will culminate with the King’s speech from the throne to open the 45th Parliament of Canada. Royal visits are always an example of the strong bond between Canada and the British Royal Family, and provides an opportunity for royals to show their love for Canada — not only through their public appearances but through their clothing as well.
Diplomatic dressing has long been a go-to for royals — specifically women. It’s not uncommon for senior members of the Royal Family to plan their tour wardrobes to include tributes and nods to the country they’re visiting by wearing the colours of the country’s flag or sporting looks from designers native to their host country. When done correctly, royal tour wardrobes are thoughtful (and at times sentimental) with plenty of bright colours, so that royals can easily be spotted by spectators in a large crowd.
Ahead, we’ve scoured the archives of previous royal visits and tours of Canada. Keep reading to see how Queen Elizabeth II, Princess Diana, Catherine, Princess of Wales and more royals have paid homage to Canada over the years.
Queen Elizabeth II (2010)
The late monarch’s accessories always told a story, especially when she travelled abroad. In 2010, Queen Elizabeth II wore an Enamel Maple Leaf Spray brooch with diamonds and anchored by a pearl during her visit to Canada.
Queen Elizabeth II attends a reception for “A Celebration of Novia Scotia” at the Cunard Centre on June 29, 2010 in Halifax, Canada. (Photo by Chris Jackson-Pool/Getty Images)
The brooch was originally a gift for her grandmother, Queen Mary (then known as Mary Duchess of Cornwall), from the City of Montréal during her first royal visit to Canada in 1901.
During her 2010 visit, the Queen celebrated Canada Day in Ottawa in a festive ensemble with then Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
Queen Elizabeth II with former Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper on July 1, 2010. (Photo by John Stillwell-Pool/Getty Images)
The look was similar to a polished Canada-inspired look that she wore during her visit in 1984.
Queen Elizabeth II during her 1984 visit to Canada. (Photo by John Shelley Collection/Avalon/Getty Images)
Prince Philip and Queen Elizabeth (1951)
Queen Elizabeth II, Princess Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh sporting a “ten gallon hat” watching the rodeo at Calgary during their tour of Canada 15/10/51circa (Photo by NCJ Archive/Mirrorpix/Mirrorpix via Getty Images)
In 1951, a then Princess Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh attended a rodeo in Calgary. The Duke was festive in a Stetson while the couple kept warm under a Hudson’s Bay Co. blanket.
19th November 1951: Canadian Mounties with Princess Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh during their Royal tour of Canada. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
During the tour, the then Princess wore a diamond and platinum Maple Leaf brooch by Asprey & Co.. The piece was gifted to the Queen Mother in 1939 by King George VI ahead of her first royal visit to Canada.
King George VI and Queen Elizabeth at Hope, B.C. during their 1939 royal tour. (CP PHOTO National Archives of Canada– G.G. Putnam)
Queen Elizabeth inherited the piece upon her mother’s death in 2002. It’s become a go-to accessory for members of the royal family to wear during official visits to Canada.
Catherine, Princess of Wales (2011)
In 2011, a newly-married Duke and Duchess of Cambridge headed to Canada for their first royal tour abroad.
Princess Catherine (then known as the Duchess of Cambridge) in Gatineau, Qc. in 2011. (Photo by George Pimentel/WireImage)
The now Princess of Wales gave a masterclass in diplomatic dressing with her wardrobe that was full of red, white and plenty of maple leaf accessories, including the Queen’s brooch and a maple leaf-inspired hat by Sylvia Fletcher for Lock & Co..
Kate Middleton pictured in 2011 wearing Queen Elizabeth II’s maple leaf brooch. (Photo by Julian Parker/UK Press via Getty Images)
Like his grandparents, Prince William and his bride headed to Calgary. The couple enjoyed the Calgary Stampede while dressing in cowboy hats and jeans.
Princess Catherine and Prince William at the Calgary Stampede in July 2011. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)
Catherine, Princess of Wales (2016)
In 2016, the then Duke and Duchess of Cambridge returned to Canada, this time with Prince George and Princess Charlotte in tow.
The Prince and Princess of Wales (then known as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge) arrived in Victoria, B.C. for an eight day royal tour with their children, Prince George and Princess Charlotte. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)
Princess Catherine arrived wearing a blue version of her Sylvia Fletcher for Lock & Co.. as well as the Queen’s brooch.
The eight-day tour included events with then Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. The Princess wore a white and red tiered Alexander McQueen dress to visit Canadian Coast Guard crew and first responders in Kitsilano, B.C..
Catherine, Princess of Wales (then Duchess of Cambridge) pictured with former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in 2016. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)
The then Duchess opted for a red draped midi dress by Preen and the diamond maple leaf brooch for a reception at Government House in Victoria.
Princess Catherine’s 2016 royal tour wardrobe included plenty of red as a nod to her host country, Canada. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)
Middleton incorporated red into her tour wardrobe once again, including a red collared Caroline Herrera coat during a visit to Whitehorse.
Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge sit as stories are read to children at the McBride Museum on September 28, 2016 in Whitehorse, Canada. (Photo by Pool/Sam Hussein/WireImage)
During her visit to the Yukon, the now Princess wore a jacket by Toronto-based outerwear brand, Sentaler. The “Kate Middleton Effect” caused the jacket to sell out within 24 hours of the royal’s appearance.
Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge visits Montana mountain Carcross on September 28, 2016 in Whitehorse, Canada. (Photo by Pool/Sam Hussein/WireImage)
Diana, Princess of Wales (1993)
In 1983, King Charles (then Prince of Wales) and Princess Diana travelled to Canada for an 18-day royal tour. The visit meant the couple missed Prince Williams first birthday (June 21), but celebrated the Princess’s 22nd birthday in Canada on July 1.
The tour began in Halifax, with Diana stepping off the plane in a white and red windowpane dress and an ornate red hat by milliner John Boyd.
King Charles (then Prince of Wales) and Diana, Princess of Wales arrived in Halifax for the start of an 18 day royal tour in 1983. (Photo by Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images)
Throughout the tour, the Princess wore several red and white looks that featured elaborate collars and plenty of polka dots.
Princess Diana’s wardrobe for her 1983 tour of Canada included plenty of red and white. (Images via Getty Images)
One of the standout looks during the royal tour was a red taffeta gown by Jan van Velden for the tour’s farewell banquet in Edmonton. The dress featured a sheer bodice and sparkling red appliqués, and the Princess paired the look with the Spencer Tiara and diamond and pearl drop earrings.
Princess Diana wore the Spencer Tiara for a farewell dinner in Edmonton in 1983. (Photo by Tim Graham/Getty Images)
The royal tour included some fashion fun as well. The couple donned Klondike period dress while attending a barbecue at Fort Edmonton Park in Alberta. The Princess wore a peach and white taffeta gown by British costume designer John Bright, who won an Oscar in 1985 for his work in A Room With A View.
King Charles and Princess Diana in 1983 during a period dress barbecue in Fort Edmonton, Alta. (Photo by Anwar Hussein/Getty Images)
Diana, Princess of Wales (1991)
Princess Diana returned to Canada in 1991 for another tour with her former husband, King Charles, as well as her two sons, Princes William and Harry. Diana attended a church service at St. James Cathedral Toronto with her sons wearing a white suit jacket and skirt with red trim.
Princess Diana, Princess of Wales, with her sons William and Harry at St. James Cathedral in Toronto. (Photo by Kent Gavin/Mirrorpix/Getty Images)
The 1991 tour of Canada included a red houndstooth Moschino jacket as seen in the infamous picture of the Princess running to greet Princes William and Harry on the Britannia in Toronto.
The Princess of Wales greets her sons Prince William and Prince Harry on the deck of the yacht Britannia in Toronto. (Photo by Jayne Fincher/Princess Diana Archive/Getty Images)
Prince William and Prince Harry (1991)
In 1991, a 9-year-old Prince William and 7-year-old Prince Harry sported Canadian tuxedos after touring the Canadian frigate HMCS Ottowa with their parents.
Prince Harry (left) and Prince William (right) accompanied their parents on their 1991 royal tour of Canada. (Photo by Martin Keene – PA Images/PA Images via Getty Images)
Although not exactly an intentional homage to Canada, Princess Diana and her sons visited Niagara Falls, Ont. for a trip on the Maid of the Mist, complete with rain ponchos.
Princess Diana, Prince William and Prince Harry visited Niagara Falls, Ont. in 1991. (Photo by Julian Parker/UK Press via Getty Images)
Queen Camilla (2009)
Queen Camilla (then known as the Duchess of Cornwall) wore Queen Elizabeth’s maple leaf brooch during a Remembrance Day memorial in Ottawa.
Queen Camilla (then known as the Duchess of Cornwall) in Ottawa in 2011. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)
Queen Camilla (2014)
During a 2014 visit to Halifax, the then Duchess of Cornwall wore a cobalt blue coat that featured the Nova Scotia tartan on its lapel, pockets and cuffs.
King Charles and Queen Camilla (known then as Prince Charles and Camilla Duchess of Cornwall) pictured in Halifax in 2014. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)
Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York (1987)
In 1987, the Duchess of York and Prince Andrew arrived in Canada for a 25-day tour across the country. The Duchess arrived for a banquet in Toronto wearing an off the shoulder red and white tuxedo-inspired gown and the York tiara, which was a piece Queen Elizabeth had made for the Duchess for her 1986 wedding.
Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York attending a banquet in Toronto during a visit to Canada. (Photo by Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images)
Let us know what you think by commenting below and tweeting @YahooStyleCA! Follow us on Twitter and Instagram.