Queen Camilla has had a very busy few days recently, popping up everywhere from The British Museum to the Ebony Horse Club in Brixton. And for every occasion, the royal has of course had a different outfit – two of which have been rather reminiscent of another member of the royal family – Catherine, Princess of Wales.
First up, the Queen arrived at the Royal Academy of Dance’s global headquarters in London to watch some ballet classes. Camilla has long been involved in the organisation, working as the vice-patron alongside the late Queen Elizabeth II, who acted as the patron, from 2020. Following the late Queen’s passing, Camilla took over as the Academy’s new patron in 2024.
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Queen Camilla doesn’t just enjoy watching ballet – she’s also a fan of getting involved. She has been a ‘Silver Swan’ (a member of a class at the Royal Academy for dancers over the age of 55) since broadcaster Angela Rippon, another noted fan of dance, convinced her to take part. ‘I persuaded her to become a Silver Swan and she takes the classes very seriously,’ Angela has said. ‘Dancing really is a brilliant way of getting fit and keeping fit.’
For years, the Queen has continued to take part in dance lessons, though at her appearance this week she admitted to feeling ‘a little creaky’. During her recent visit, Camilla was able to reunite with Dame Darcey Bussell, who is president of the academy, and Sarah Platt, who set up the Silver Swans dance sessions. When Sarah asked how the Queen was doing following a summer holiday at Balmoral castle, Camilla responded: ‘I’m still standing… just!’
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Camilla was also able to catch up with her old friend Angela Rippon, who happened to be wearing a very similar pair of shoes to the Queen.
Speaking of similar styles, let’s get on to Queen Camilla’s dress for the occasion: a long-sleeved dress in a lovely polka dot print – also known as Kate’s go-to style. The Queen’s black and white polka dot dress is by London-based atelier Anna Valentine.
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We can’t find an exact price for the Queen’s dress (and suspect it’s a case of ‘If you’re asking for the price, you can’t afford it) but the good news is that polka dots remain a major trend at the moment, so there are lots of similar options available on the high street. Our favourite, however, is this dress from M&S. We love its fluttery and super flattering sleeves, the belt to cinch in the waist and its very wearable midi length.
M&S Lyocell Rich Polka Dot Midi Waisted Dress
M&S Lyocell Rich Polka Dot Midi Waisted DressCredit: M&S
It’s one of those dresses that you buy now but wear forever. It’ll work for weddings and other formal events (perhaps with a pair of heels and a red lip) but can just as easily become a daytime wear if you chuck a denim jacket over the top and pick your favourite pair of trainers. A winner all round.
We mentioned another Princess-of-Wales-esque outfit up top – that was for Queen Camilla’s surprise appearance at Letters Live at the Royal Festival Hall on Thursday evening, where she took to the stage to read a letter written by the late Queen Mother. The letter thanked the poet Edith Sitwell for sending an anthology of poems following the death of her husband, King George VI.
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For this appearance, the Queen opted for another dotted effect, this time with a dress in a delightful shade of blue. This dress is a rewear – Queen Camilla was spotted donning the same piece, by Royal-favourite designer Fiona Clare, to host a reception on the 400th anniversary of the publication of Shakespear’s First Folio in summer 2023. And it’s also very Kate-esque, not only in terms of its dotted print, but also the colour, which is much-loved by the Princess of Wales.
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Are the royals swapping style notes? We couldn’t possibly confirm, but it certainly seems like it. And why wouldn’t they? All the members of the family have a preference for elegant, timeless pieces that can be worn again and again. Lucky for us, we can follow their lead for a look that’s royally stylish.