When Royal women have worn stylishly split dresses, from Kate to Princess Charlene

Elegant and stylish as Royal wardrobes might be, ‘modesty’ is normally a watchword.

But there is one adventurous style that does make an appearance or two at public events – the glamorous thigh-high split. 

Carefully calibrated, of course. 

A flash of the leg was an integral part of the £3,000 green Suzannah tea dress worn by Kate during a visit to the Anna Freud Centre last week, for example.

The Princess of Wales looked elegant in a split polka dot dress at Bletchley Park in 2019

Kate wore a long white split evening dress by the Self Portrait  for the premiere of  A Street Cat Named Bob in 2016

There was a more daring look in 2019 for a visit to the D-Day exhibition at Bletchley Park. Kate looked ready for spring in her flattering £1,750 split mid-length dress by A-list favourite Alessandra Rich. 

The vintage-inspired contrast collar and cuffs on this dress give it real elegance when mixed with the bolder split down the leg. 

In 2016, Kate looked glamorous in a long white split evening dress by the label ‘Self Portrait’.

Not that she’s the only royal looking good in a split dress: Queen Letitia of Spain, who known for her faultless style, looked typically sleek at a military parade in July 2020. 

Letizia wore a figure-skimming, floor-length number with a V-neck and a daring split that showed off her toned legs.

Princess Charlene of Monaco also knows how to rock a split dress, and the beautiful  white Louis Vuitton embroidered dress she wore to the closing ceremony of the 59th Monte Carlo TV Festival in June 2019 was to die for. 

Queen Letizia of Spain cuts a dramatic figure in a floor-length number with a V-neck as she appeared at the traditional celebration of the Pascua Militar in Madrid in 2020

Princess Charlene of Monaco made the most of her figure as she attended the closing ceremony of the 59th Monte Carlo TV Festival in June 2019

Beatrice looked chic in a tuxedo-style long black gown with a thigh-high split as she posed at the opening of the Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty exhibition in London in 2015

Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden took a bolder approach on her way to  a private dinner before the wedding of Princess Madeleine and Christopher O’Neill in 2013

The Duchess of Sussex teamed her elegant split evening dress with a simple black clutch and nude slingback court shoes back in 2018

Meghan does maternity wear: The pregnant Duchess of Sussex Meghan, 37, wore a Reformation ‘Pineapple’ dress as she and Harry explored Fraser Island in October 2018

All eyes were on Princess Beatrice as she showed her royal flair for fashion for the 2015 Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty exhibition in a black tuxedo gown.  

The dress featured a thigh-high split, as well as a lapel collar tuxedo design front that gives an androgynous yet classy spin to the look.

Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden looked absolutely radiant in a long evening gown while attending a private dinner before the wedding of Princess Madeleine and Christopher O’Neill back in 2013.

The knee-high split skirt gave the dress the perfect edge whilst staying true to the formality of the event. 

If anyone knows how to look amazing in a split-style dress, it is the Duchess of Sussex. 

Meghan Markle was the picture of elegance as she and Prince Harry made their way into the Auckland War Memorial Museum in 2018, as she donned a navy asymmetric Antonio Berardi dress, which retails at some £2,683.

Showing that split dresses can look just as good when dressed down, Meghan also looked amazing while in Australia during the 2018 Royal Tour. 

Stepping out in one of her most daring ensembles yet after sporting a thigh-flashing dress, Meghan, 37, wore the Reformation ‘Pineapple’ number which featured a tie waist and cami strap style.

Princess Lilly zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg also stunned in a bright and colourful summer split dress for the Bulgari Barocco event in Rome, Italy, back in 2020.

Princess Lilly zu Sayn Wittgenstein Berleburg looked radiant in a colourful split dress for the Bulgari Barocco event in September 2020, in Rome, Italy

Princess Eugenie wore a daring thigh-flashing £350 Clarine floral wrap dress from Alice + Olivia for the annual Duke of Edinburgh gold awards ceremony in 2018

Lady in red: Queen Maxima stunned in a deep red outfit as she learned more about loneliness in the Netherlands in March earlier this year

For the annual Duke of Edinburgh gold awards ceremony in 2018, Princess Eugenie donned a daring thigh-flashing £350 Clarine floral wrap dress from Alice + Olivia.

Costing £450, the ‘Clarine’ dress features an all-over watercolour floral print with a wrap-style fastening and a midi length.

Queen Máxima opted for more bright colours as she stunned in a dark red dress when visiting various social institutions as part of the Oranje Fonds Entrepreneurship Programme against Loneliness in Vlaardingen in March.

The Monarch looked splendid in red leather boots and a long red dress with a deep split up the thigh.