How Queen Mary and Kate Middleton have carved out the ‘Head Girl Chic’ look in regal tandem
With their silky brown blow-dries and ability to traverse from sporty luxe to suited slick, via ballgown beauty, they’re the ultimate examples of what we’re dubbing ‘Head Girl Chic’
Pictured standing side by side, Queen Mary of Denmark and Kate Middleton look like the two popular girls at school who are actually quite nice and approachable. They go to parties, sure, and have the best prom dresses, but they’re also straight-A students and captains of the hockey team. Their hunky boyfriends go to the boys’ school down the road, but they’ll definitely let you copy their homework when you’re in a pinch. With their silky brown blow-dries and ability to traverse from sporty luxe to suited slick, via ballgown beauty, they’re the ultimate examples of what we’re dubbing ‘Head Girl Chic.’ Which makes sense for the future queens of Denmark and England respectively: a role which is, ultimately, the final evolution of Head Girl.
When apart, they’re often brought together through outfit comparisons and oh-so-frequent and slightly misogynistic speculations, including ‘who wore it better’ and ‘who copied whom’. Instead, Tatler peers through their effortlessly chic and sometimes coordinating wardrobes.
Like an enthusiastic younger sibling, Kate very well may have borrowed inspiration from Mary’s infamously cool roster of outfits. ‘Kate is like a younger sister to Mary, who is both beautiful and elegant,’ Karl Lagerfeld commented ahead of the Wales’ royal wedding in 2011. But when you’re outfitting yourself for one of the most complex dress codes on the planet – a female monarch – is it any wonder the pair have an allied sense of style?
With the recent and sudden announcement of Queen Margrethe of Denmark’s abdication on New Year’s Eve, Queen Mary stepped up to the throne much sooner than many thought. And while there have certainly been more eyes on her than ever, Mary and Kate’s fashion remains remarkably in step.
On February 28, Queen Mary attended an Arts and Culture gala ball in Copenhagen where the 53-year-old wore one of the Princess of Wales’s most iconic gowns. Stepping out into the Great Hall of Christiansborg Palace with King Frederik and Queen Margrethe by her side, Queen Mary shone in a pearlescent rose-pink sequin dress by British designer Jenny Packham. With crystals cascading down the neckline and embellishing the belt on the waist, the gown was the perfect fit for the diamond necklace tiara, which the Danish Queen recently transformed into a headpiece. The Jenny Packham gown is instantly recognisable as the same dress that the Princess of Wales, 43, wore to the Diplomatic Reception at Buckingham Palace in December 2023. On that occasion, Catherine paired the ‘Georgia’ dress with her characteristic Lover’s Knot tiara and Queen Elizabeth’s Greville chandelier diamond earrings by Cartier.
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Getty Images1/11Spot the difference
Polka dots are a popular choice when one wants to show a little youthful fun while still keeping it classic. Matching the vintage print with with 50s and 60s silhouettes, Kate (2019) and Mary (2022) reach for navy spotted dresses with signature (for both of them) high stilettos and relaxed hair styles.
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Alamy/Getty Images2/11Collared cool girls
This Beulah dress (worn in 2019 by Mary, and a year later by Kate) is a no-brainer for a princess with so many eyes on her. It’s not easy to find a look that’s well-fitted and sophisticated without being dull. This collared look certainly fits the Head Girls Chic brief with aplomb.
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Alamy/Getty Images3/11Pastel perfect
A long-sleeved A-line number is hardly groundbreaking stuff for royal women. These dusty-hued dresses are an easy go-to for both Kate and Mary, who each chose to match the dress with cream bags. Though Mary stepped out in her Emilia Wickstead dress three years prior to Kate, the latter princess has had the dress named after her.
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Getty Images4/11Embrace the lace
Both princesses have historically opted for floor-length lace gowns. It is no doubt hard to look classic and demure, whilst also remaining relevant. Enter the endlessly classic and sexy black lace ball gown. Kate’s is from one of her favoured designers Alexander McQueen, whilst Mary is in Jesper Hovring.
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Getty Images5/11A pop of purple
The Princess of Wales often favours a splash of purple, here featured in a pussy-bow shirt tucked into a formal trouser in 2019. Three years later Princess Mary was photographed in a similar ensemble at an art event. Purple seems to suit a dark haired women, with Victoria Beckham also favouring this particular jewel shade.
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Getty Images6/11Tartan twins
Tartan has long been a British royal favourite, particularly in the specific ‘Balmoral Tartan’ pattern created by Prince Albert in 1853. The green and blue ensembles say classic whilst still being current, hence why both princesses have opted for the Scottish staple.
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Getty Images7/11Coral Queens
Princess Mary’s salmon ensemble was a hit in 2022, and Princess Kate followed suit with a tailored blush look in 2023.
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Getty Images8/11Christening a new headband
Kate is said to have been inspired by Mary’s white, floral headband for a lighthearted christening look. Both beam at their bundles of joy whilst sporting a fun alternative to the classic diamond headpiece.
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Getty Images9/11Familiar florals
Both royals like Danish and British brands, here opting for the British designer Erdem to kit them out in head-to-toe florals.
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Getty Images10/11Blush Beulah
Mary looked so stunning in the creamy Beulah midi dress in 2020, we wouldn’t be surprised if Kate’s stylist did pinch the look. The pastel pair look fresh-faced and rosy cheeked with their hair hanging loose and classic stilettos.
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Getty Images11/11Following suit
Kate Middleton adores Alexander McQueen, and the classic blazer ensemble works for both princesses when they need to look sharp and business-like. Both opt for a slick polo neck underneath to complete the look.
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