Queen Elizabeth’s pastel tradition lives on: How Kate Middleton, Princess Eugenie and Sophie have embraced her style  – and it’s right on trend for the new season

Pastel hues were a highlight of the spring/summer 2024 runways, and as we transition into the new season, many brands are keeping the trend alive.

However, it was Queen Elizabeth II who first championed these charming ice cream hues on a global scale.

Known for her striking ensembles, the Queen’s outfits were carefully chosen to ensure she stood out in crowds, creating an iconic and colourful image that defined her as a modern monarch. 

However, she rarely deviated from a tailored dress and matching coat that fell to the shin.

Candy floss pink, buttercup yellow, lilac, lime; there wasn’t a hue that the Queen didn’t wear.   

In recent years, we can see that Catherine, Princess of Wales, has been following in Queen Elizabeth’s sartorial footsteps, showing off a diverse range of shades.

Kate often selects a colour that Elizabeth wore and cleverly presents it in an updated silhouette, such as a trouser suit.

Queen Elizabeth’s outfits were carefully considered to ensure she stood out in a crowd of well-wishers – despite her modest height of 5ft 3in. Above: The Queen attends a parade in the gardens of the Palace of Holyroodhouse on June 28, 2022

In 2019, Queen Elizabeth showcased a candyfloss pink coat as she arrived at Sandringham, her estate in Norfolk. Kate later re-interpreted the colour with a pink Alexander McQueen suit in 2022

In 2022, she picked a pink Alexander McQueen two-piece suit for a business meeting in London. 

Queen Elizabeth previously wore the charming shade on a visit to Sandringham in 2019. 

Queen Camilla has also displayed a preference for this soft hue. 

She recently sported a custom-made Anna Valentine coat dress at a Buckingham Palace garden party.

Her Majesty paired the soft-toned outfit with the Williamson Pink Diamond Brooch, a standout piece from Queen Elizabeth’s collection.

This brooch holds a special history: its central pink diamond was gifted to Elizabeth in 1947 by Canadian geologist John Thoburn Williamson as a wedding present. 

Under the guidance of Queen Mary, Elizabeth had the rare diamond set as the focal point of a modern brooch, making it one of her most treasured pieces.

Queen Camilla has also displayed a preference for this soft pink hue, recently sporting a bespoke coat dress by Anna Valentine at a Buckingham Palace garden party

In 2012, the year of Her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee, Vogue published a colour review of her outfits from the past 12 months.

The magazine discovered that 29 per cent of dresses, suits and hats were created in shades of blue, ranging from icy hues to rich cobalt. 

Additionally, the publication found that beige was the Queen’s least-worn colour, accounting for just one per cent of the total.

In contrast, Meghan Markle dressed, almost exclusively, in shades of beige, camel and white, during her time as a working member of the Royal Family. 

The former Suits actress claimed her neutral wardrobe was the result of not being allowed to wear colour. 

‘Most of the time I was in the UK, I rarely wore colour,’ the Duchess said in the 2022 Netflix series, Harry and Meghan.

She continued: ‘I wore a lot of muted tones but it was also so I could just blend in.

‘There was no version of me [that was] joining this family and trying not to do everything I could to fit in. I don’t want to embarrass the family.’

Since stepping back from public duties, Meghan has continued to opt for a predominantly neutral wardrobe, even though she now has full control over her wadrobe.  

Her sartorial excellence was particularly noticeable at the 2023 Invictus Games, when she wore a variety of muted ensembles by Celine, Zara, Gabriela Hearst and Cuyana.

Beige was the Queen’s least-worn colour, unlike Meghan Markle who dresses, almost exclusively, in shades of beige, camel and white

Princess Eugenie appeared to draw inspiration from her late grandmother’s style when she attended Royal Ascot in June.

The Princess’ refined Diane von Furstenberg dress was crafted in the same soft mint hue as one of Queen Elizabeth’s ensembles from the previous year. 

The delicate shade was equally flattering on both women, showcasing their timeless fashion sense.

Eugenie chose bold accessories: an Emily London hat, Anya Hindmarch clutch and Aquazzura’s popular ‘Bow-Tie’ pumps.

Appearing to take cues from the coat the late monarch donned at Royal Ascot in 2023, Princess Eugenie showcased a dress of the same hue at the event in June

Zara Tindall also seemed to channel her late grandmother at the renowned racing event.

The Olympic equestrian donned a cornflower blue dress by Rebecca Vallance, featuring a fit-and-flare silhouette, braided neckline and puff sleeves, in a delightful powder blue hue.

Zara elevated her ensemble with Dune court shoes, a bespoke hat from Sarah Cant and ‘Hettie’ bag by Tusting.

This sartorial nod echoed Queen Elizabeth’s outfit from two years prior, when she donned a near-identical shade at the Royal Company of Archers Reddendo Parade in June 2022. 

Zara Tindall also seemed to channel her late grandmother at the renowned racing event, wearing a cornflower blue dress by Rebecca Vallance. This sartorial nod echoed Queen Elizabeth’s outfit from two years prior, when she donned a near-identical shade at the Royal Company of Archers Reddendo Parade in June 2022

Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, was said to have shared a close bond with Queen Elizabeth, even referring to her mother-in-law as ‘mama’. 

It appears that the Duchess has been affected by the late monarch in several aspects, including her fashion choices. 

Attending King Charles’ garden party at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, Sophie paid a subtle tribute to her late mother-in-law by wearing a blue-grey Roland Mouret dress and Jimmy Choo pumps.

The hue of her outfit echoed a coat Queen Elizabeth wore five years earlier, which featured golden floral embroidery and her signature structured cut. 

The Queen had accessorised with a matching hat, her beloved Launer handbag and Anello & Davide loafers. 

Attending King Charles’ garden party at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, Sophie paid a subtle tribute to her late mother-in-law by wearing a blue-grey Roland Mouret dress and Jimmy Choo pumps. The hue of her outfit echoed a coat Queen Elizabeth wore five years earlier, which featured golden floral embroidery and her signature structured cut