Kate Middleton’s Fashion Icon Status Is Being Upstaged by This Royal Family Member

Kate Middleton has been a fashion icon since she officially entered the royal family at her wedding to Prince William in 2011. Her gorgeous wedding dress designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen is still a style masterpiece over a decade later, and it firmly cemented the Princess of Wales’ fashion status. But now, she might have a royal rival. 

Tatler revealed their best-dressed list and Kate is missing from the “25 top style kings and queens” in the September issue — instead another royal received the honor. Princess Beatrice was crowned the most stylish member of the palace, and she’s worked hard to achieve that title. Over five years ago, the oldest daughter of Prince Andrew hired stylist Olivia Buckingham to level up her fashion game. Buckingham revealed to the Daily Mail how she’s helped Beatrice explore more sophisticated silhouettes since they began working together. 

“I like to push my clients’ boundaries but also stick to their authentic codes,’ she explained. “I don’t want it to be one-sided, what I enjoy is giving them creative freedom, then we meet in the middle and come up with a magical look.” The stylist’s goal is to make Princess Beatrice feel “empowered and confident by clothes,” and they make it a “collaborative” process, so the royal has a say in her style. Well, it looks like Buckingham’s plan worked!

Describing Beatrice as “the pinnacle of contemporary splendour,” Tatler bestowed her with quite the compliment. “Beatrice has since become a beacon of sartorial elegance, pairing vintage-inspired cuts with fresh-from-the-catwalk glamour,” they wrote. It sounds like there is a new fashionista in town and all eyes are on Princess Beatrice. As for Kate, she’s likely not worried about any fashion title because she’s been prioritizing her health amid her cancer battle. 

There were rumors that Princess Beatrice was going to take on a part-time royal role while Kate and King Charles III recovered from their illnesses. A source told the Daily Mail in May about the possibility of using Beatrice and her younger sister, Princess Eugenie, in some capacity. “He thinks that they’ve grown into very sensible, lovely women who he thinks could be a real asset. Charles is listening to his public,” a source claimed. “They have been crying out for that royal glamour that has been missing during a time when his slimmed-down monarchy is in desperate need of bulking up.”

That royal move never happened, King Charles is keeping the senior working roster lean and mean. However, Beatrice’s fashion game is being noticed by others while Kate is out of the spotlight.

Before you go, click here to see more of Kate Middleton’s best royal fashion moments.