Why are so many Royals wearing Kate’s ‘ethical’ £720 dress?
When the Princess of Wales stepped out in a Beulah London dress to open the revamped Young V&A Museum in London, she was praised for her sustainability.
It was her second time wearing the £720 pink crepe dress – designed by William’s childhood friend Lady Natasha Rufus Isaacs’ ethical luxury fashion label – which she first donned for the 2021 Wimbledon Men’s Final.
But she’s not the first to give the “Ahana” dress a royal seal of approval: The fit-and-flare design, with its cap sleeves, set-in belt and button-front bodice, has become a royal staple.
Crown Princess Mary of Denmark set the trend in 2020 when she wore it in beige for a visit to Frederiksborg Palace.
The following year, Kate wore her pink dress to present the Men’s Singles trophy at Wimbledon, complemented by nude heels by Canadian designer Aldo, a vintage Josef ‘Point de Beauvais’ beaded clutch and Ray-Bans.
The Princess of Wales, patron of the V&A, arrives to visit the Young V&A in East London’s Bethnal Green ahead of its opening to the public on Saturday. Photo date: Wednesday, June 28
The Prince of Wales attends Day 13 of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on 11 July 2021
Denmark Queen Margrethe II and Crown Princess Mary attend the opening of ‘The Queen’s Faces’ The Knight’s Hall exhibition and portrait unveiling at the National History museum at Frederiksborg palace in Hillerod, Denmark
Since then, numerous Royals have followed suit. In 2022, Norwegian Princess Mette-Marit wore a beige Ahana dress to the French Open, paired with matching flats.
Both Princess Beatrice and Lady Sophie Windsor (née Winkleman, wife of Lord Frederick Windsor) chose the design to celebrate The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul’s Cathedral – Sophie opted for a long-sleeved version in fuchsia, while Beatrice wore it in blue.
And last Saturday, Peep Show actress Sophie wore it in yellow to attend Royal Ascot, pairing it with a cream hat and pumps.
In an unusual twist, Lady Natasha Rufus Isaacs, 38, is married to Kate’s ex-boyfriend, St. Andrews graduate lawyer Rupert Finch.
Her business partner is Lavinia Brennan, 35 – who once dated the actor Jack Fox – and is now married to champagne salesman Jamie Richards.
Princess Beatrice of York attends the National Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul’s Cathedral on June 3, 2022
Sophie Windsor attends day five of Royal Ascot 2023 at Ascot Racecourse on June 24, 2023 in Ascot, England
In an unusual twist, Lady Natasha Rufus Isaacs (pictured), 38, is married to Kate’s ex-boyfriend, St Andrews graduate lawyer Rupert Finch
‘Nats’ and ‘Lavs’, as they are known to friends, created the red ‘Sarai’ evening gown that Kate wore to her first 100 Women in Hedge Funds charity dinner in 2011. ‘The Beulah woman is sophisticated, glamorous and has a conscience,” Lady Natasha told Tatler.
Kate needs dresses that can be put on to make her look instantly glamorous, and she also cares about how and where her clothes are made.
“I love how effortless and timeless vintage styles can look, with a modern twist.
“They never go out of style and can be passed down from generation to generation.”
We may even see Princess Charlotte in one of her mother’s dresses one day.