Camilla Parker Bowls and her style: what to expect from the new Queen Consort

Camilla Parker Bowles who celebrated her 75th birthday in July this year is known for her toned-down looks, love for homegrown fashion, and classy casual outfits. Her wardrobe is reliable and ‘royalty worthy’. But as the eyes of the entire world are now on the new Queen Consort, the pressure mounts. Late Queen Elizabeth II, with her daringly bright colours and distinctive signature style, was an indisputable fashion icon. What shall we expect from Camilla?

'Propriety over whimsy'

Though Queen Consort has only just made her debut in British Vogue, she’s no stranger to fashion. We now know for sure that she ‘likes fashion – to a point’ and ‘knows what suits her’. Camilla also works closely with her loyal dresser Jacqui Meakin, known for previously consulting the Queen Mother, and generally opts for 'propriety over whimsy'. She calls herself ‘allergic to fuss’.

So we guess, we aren’t up for a treat of a crazy royal fashion any time soon.

Her favourite designers

Camilla wore an evening dress by Bruce Oldfield Couture for her first Vogue photoshoot, and it’s only natural that she champions homegrown British fashion talent, just like the late Queen did.

Camilla likes designers such as Philip Treacy, who created her hat for her 2005 marriage to Charles, Anna Valentine and Antonia Robinson, who created her wedding gowns, Roy Allen, and Fiona Clare.

She is also one of the most high-profile fans of Barbour, a British luxury and lifestyle brand that manufactures local weather-perfect waxed cotton outerwear.

Will Camilla’s style evolve as she takes on her new role?

Caroline Young, fashion writer and author of The Colour Of Fashion, is complimentary about the Queen Consort’s refined fashion choices.

She said to the Independent:

Camilla has really come into her own in terms of fashion. Like the Queen, she is very much a countrywoman at heart who seems more comfortable in her wellies and tweeds and is never going to be too experimental with her sense of style.

The senior royal is quite minimalistic in her styling even with eveningwear,leaving sequins, frills, and other shiny details behind. And it fits in with her ‘no fuss’ personality.

Unlike the late Queen, Camilla is significantly taller and thought to be around five foot eight, so she doesn’t have the same functional need for brighter hues. Pastels seem to be her go-to options, and she is rarely pictured in strong primary colours such as red.

Caroline Young believes that Camilla will continue the late Queen’s tradition of using fashion for diplomacy and ‘perhaps even adopt some of the bold colours the Queen was known for.’

Read more:

⋙ Queen Consort: Why was Camilla named Queen Consort and not Queen?

⋙ Prince Charles and Camilla's 'secret son' claims Netflix wants to do a documentary on his life

⋙ Camilla Parker Bowles to follow in the footsteps of Prince Philip as Queen Consort