Queen Camilla Makes “Noticeable Departure” From Queen Elizabeth’s Fashion Protocol

Queen Camilla’s style wouldn’t typically be characterized as rebellious, but even she bent the so-called “rules” on her most recent outing.

While there’s no book of royal fashion protocol sitting somewhere in Buckingham Palace, there are practiced norms that have stuck—one of which, the late Queen Elizabeth adhered to strictly. Her late Majesty was known to eschew black tights, wearing nude tights in warmer months and brown tights during the cold weather season.

But at the Commonwealth Day service on March 9, held at Westminster Abbey, Camilla rejected the unofficial ruling. She wore opaque black tights, which contrasted against under her red Fiona Clare coatdress. She paired the look with a coordinating Philip Treacy hat, also in red, black cap-toed heels by Elito Zed (per Royal Fashion Police), and a navy blue croc skin bag.

“Queen Camilla’s choice of black tights is a noticeable departure from one of the most recognizable royal style conventions associated with Queen Elizabeth II,” stylist Angela Kyte told Hello!. “That said, royal fashion rules are rarely as rigid as people imagine.”

Though her black tights hinted that Camilla is taking steps to modernize the royal family’s approach to style, she accessorized her ensemble with an heirloom piece with deep family lore. She pinned the Queen Mother’s Diamond Palm Leaf Brooch to her chest, adding a pop of glitz to the monochromatic look. The antique dazzler was crafted in 1938 by Cartier and comes encrusted with 203 diamonds.

“What we’re really seeing here is the natural evolution of royal style under a new generation,” Kyte added. “Camilla is maintaining the formal structure—the tailored coat, statement hat, and classic silhouette—but the darker hosiery subtly modernizes the outfit. It signals that while the monarchy respects tradition, it’s not entirely frozen in time.”

According to Kyte, Queen Elizabeth “understood the power of consistency in dress, which is why her preference for nude tights became such a defining feature of her look. Small styling details like hosiery might seem insignificant, but in royal fashion, they carry surprising symbolism.”

“By opting for black, Camilla is gently signaling her own identity within the role, honoring the traditional structure of royal dressing while quietly making the aesthetic her own,” she said.