Yesterday, the King and Queen of England attended the official service dedication for the Order of the British Empire. The public made comments about the dress that Queen Camilla wore for the event, calling the garment a "house dress." At the same time, Buckingham Palace recently sent a letter to PETA concerning the Queen's fashion decisions going forward.
King Charles III and Queen Camilla stepped out yesterday to attend the annual Order of the British Empire ceremony in London, which rewards "outstanding contributions to the war effort" and "now recognises the work of people from all walks of life."
Images of the couple adorning royal garb prompted public reaction online, especially where Queen Camilla's ensemble was concerned.
Underneath her royal robe, which looked like it was made out of silk, she wore a flowy floral print dress. Queen Camilla paired her look with light beige heels, charm bracelets, and diamond earrings. Out of all the clothing items she adorned, her dress became a focal point of discussion among social media users.
In response to a tweet that showed side-by-side photos of Queen Camilla and the late Queen Elizabeth II, dressed in the same robe, an X user questioned, "Why is Camilla wearing a house dress under that cape?"
Similarly, another person wrote, "Does Camilla just throw a robe over her house dress?" as a reply to someone else who shared the same side-by-side photo of the two queens with the caption, "The differences couldn't be more stark, & the standards more far apart. 😣😭."
Continuing with the comparisons between Queen Elizabeth II and Queen Camilla, another person asserted, "I'm in the US and for what it's worth, I think the Queen was just such a monumental figure and impossible to live up to. She always looked so regal wearing these types of traditional dress. Charles and Camilla look sloppy and far from regal."
Putting the late Princess Diana in the mix at the end of their comment, someone else noted, "These traditional events are bad enough but to do it in those stodgy old costumes is nuts. Why can't they wear modern versions [...] They look like crazy people in these costumes. Diana would have modernized it."
Although most were in agreement concerning how they felt about Queen Camilla's outfit, a fan came to her defense and praised how she looked. "Gosh, beautiful robes. And lovely dress [on] Camilla," complimented the admirer.
Even though the majority diverted their focus to what the senior royals were wearing, their comments did not take away from the importance of the ceremony.
The official Instagram account for the royal family posted a video of the event showing different moments that took place and words shared by some award recipients that highlighted the honor and success of the ceremony.
On the same day that the service took place (May 15), a news outlet reported that Buckingham Palace recently wrote to People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) concerning Queen Camilla's clothing. The palace confirmed that she will no longer be purchasing clothes that are made from animal pelts.
"Her Majesty will not procure any new fur garments," states the letter. According to the same report, Queen Camilla's choice models closely after one made by her late stepmother-in-law who, in 2019, decided not to buy fur items.
Buckingham Palace's letter to PETA follows communication sent from the organization to Queen Camilla, highlighting the cruel practices employed in the fur industry, as well as the adverse effects fur production has on the environment.
"PETA is toasting to Queen Camilla with a glass of the finest claret for being a true queen by standing with the 95% of British people who also refuse to wear animal fur, as polls show," penned PETA.
Although Queen Camilla has now pledged to no longer buy fur items, whether or not this decision includes imposing a ban on the fur items she already has in her closet, like the brown fur hat she was seen wearing at another royal service on March 28, is unknown. This hat along with the rest of her outfit previously sparked discourse online.
Stepping in for her husband, the Queen of England had worn the debated outfit whilst attending a significant event at Worcester Cathedral. While there, she partook in thetraditional presentation of Maundy Money to 150 individuals in recognition of their service to local communities.
Clad in a leopard print chiffon dress covered by a cream cashmere coat—both designed by Fiona Clare—Queen Camilla's ensemble was the epitome of royal grace mixed with contemporary fashion sense. The outfit was complemented by $247.17 (£195) dressage knee-high suede boots from Russell & Bromley.
As described online, the boots are an elegant iteration of the popular equestrian-inspired knee-high boot, crafted in Italy from the finest smooth camel suede. These boots—characterized by their sleek style, subtle stitched seam, soft almond toe, and suede-wrapped block heel—underscored a sense of regal sophistication.
Adding to her ensemble, the Queen donned a furry hat from Lock & Co. and wore two gold and sapphire flower brooches pinned on each side of her coat's collar. These are heirlooms that once belonged to the late Queen Elizabeth II.
Her attire was rounded off with dark brown leather gloves and a dark-colored, stylish Moynat handbag, retailing at $3,500 on Sotheby's online store.
As images and videos of the Queen at the event circulated online, social media users did not hold back in voicing their opinions. Many people were unimpressed with the Queen's look, expressing their dislike for what she wore.
One social media user criticized, "She is soo thrifty.. Buy a new hat," while another exasperatedly stated, "Why does she always spoil her outfit with BOOTS!"
Another pondered, "Why does she wear the same hat (sometimes a different color)???" and someone else even went so far as to deem her "the bag lady." However, amid the vitriol, some people complimented Queen Camilla's style. One fan praised, "Love the ensemble" and another gushed, "The Queen looked fabulous."
Despite the fashion furor and commentary, what remained a focal point of the story was the significance of the event. The official Instagram page for the King and Queen of England shed light on the contextual background of the special occasion.
"Maundy Thursday commemorates Jesus sharing the Last Supper with his disciples and commanding them to 'Love one another as I have loved you.' The tradition of the Monarch or their representative presenting alms on Maundy Thursday goes back to 1213," explained the account.
Queen Camilla's appearance at Worcester Cathedral serves as a reminder of the unique intersection between royal tradition and contemporary fashion.
From the mixed reactions sparked by her fashion choices, it's clear that her style, whether lauded or criticized, remains an undeniable aspect of how she is viewed by the public, which then draws attention back to the evolving image of the British monarchy.
