The Royal ‘copy couples’: Denmark’s Queen Mary and King Frederik used matching outfits to silence rumours of marital woes, and Prince William and Kate like to coordinate too

In the royal world, where every move is carefully analyzed, fashion plays a crucial role in conveying subtle messages.

Coordinated dressing has been a powerful publicity tool among royals for decades.

From Kate and William in light blue at Wimbledon in 2019 to Zara and Mike Tindall’s stripes at the Epsom Derby, this sartorial strategy is more than just a style choice; it is a statement of unity and togetherness.

Perhaps no couple has used this tactic more effectively than Denmark’s Queen Mary and King Frederick, whose matching blazers and brown trousers helped quell rumors of marital discord during their recent tour of the Baltic Sea.

Here are some of the times royal couples presented a united front using the subtle art of coordinated dressing.

Queen Mary and King Frederick of Denmark

In August, King Frederick and Queen Mary of Denmark presented a united front during a visit to the Danish island of Bornholm.

After a year of rumors about their marriage, the couple looked happy together as they appeared in coordinated outfits for an outing to a church in the island town of Gudhjem.

Mary opted for a Harris Wharf blazer to match Frederik’s oatmeal design, while they both wore smart, warm brown trousers.

Relationship counselor Caroline Chambers believes that mirroring your partner’s fashion choices is linked to having a keen sense of empathy and signifies a ‘high level of happiness’ within a relationship.

When you present your relationship to the world, your appearance is a big part of showing alignment.

“Our mirror neurons create a connection that reflects our partner within ourselves,” says relationship therapist Elinor Harvey.

Princess Beatrice and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi

Cool in camel, Princess Beatrice and Edo paired in chic neutral tones at Cheltenham Racecourse earlier this year.

Beatrice was elegant in a caramel-colored coat from The Fold, which she paired with a tweed headband from Emily London, decorated with a giant bow.

It perfectly complemented her husband Edo, who paired her toffee-colored look with a brown tweed suit under a checked coat.

Zara and Mike Tindall

For Derby Day at Epsom 2023, Zara Tindall looked chic as ever in a button-down dress with monochrome stripes.

She stepped out with her husband Mike for the big day out at the races.

Mike’s striped tie and tail suit beautifully complemented Zara’s Ralph Lauren puff-sleeve dress and Camilla Rose fascinator, with her Laurence Coste earrings highlighting the black accents in their look.

Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex

In March 2020, Prince Harry marked his final engagement as Captain General of the Royal Marines – before he and Meghan Markle left life as working royals.

The Duke wore a formal red and black military uniform for the last time in public at the Mountbatten Music Festival at the Royal Albert Hall.

Meghan’s look was the perfect addition. The Duchess made a statement in a red hooded dress from Safiyaa, with Stuart Weitzman pumps and a Manolo Blahnik clutch – complete with black dangling earrings that gave a nod to the black accents on her husband’s suit.

Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales

The Prince and Princess of Wales stepped out to attend the 2019 Wimbledon men’s final between Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic in cool blues.

While Kate shone in a cornflower blue fit-and-flare dress from Emilia Wickstead with a square neckline and cap sleeves, William looked equally dapper in a light gray suit with light blue details and a pastel blue shirt.

The couple does not tend to indulge in public displays of affection during their royal duties, but instead uses fashion to show their unity.

“Dressing harmoniously can be an unconscious event that typically happens as relationships solidify, in a way it is similar to relationship conformity,” Ms Harvey added.

Prince Albert and Princess Charlene of Monaco

Princess Charlene of Monaco and her husband Prince Albert stepped out for the final match of the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters tennis tournament this year in his ‘n’ hare blazers.

The navy blue nautical style tailoring featured polished gold buttons for both.

Charlene’s double-breasted jacket from Polo Ralph Lauren was worn with a striped shirt from the designer underneath.

Albert’s Monte Carlo Country Club jacket was worn with a striped club tie.

King Willem and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands

The King and Queen of the Netherlands wore matching navy and bronze outfits as they stepped out for a tour of the city of Bremen in 2019.

Maxima was dressed in an ombré cape by Jan Taminiau, layered over a striped dress by the same designer, which matched Willem’s bronze tie perfectly.

In keeping with the color theme, Willem wore a navy blue suit, with his tie being metallic pink, a nod to the accents of his wife’s outfit.

Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden and Prince Daniel

Swedish royal couple Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel started their three-day visit to Britain last year with a quintessentially British experience at a local pub in Newmarket.

Dressed appropriately for the occasion, the pair embraced country chic with waxed jackets over cream and camel ensembles.

Victoria opted for a Toteme jacket with a Soft Goat sweater, silk Vesna W blouse and a HÈST scarf, which complemented her husband’s coat and tan suit.