It is a timeless pattern that adorns the wardrobes of monarchs, princesses and young royals.
From the late Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Anne to Princess Diana and now Kate Middleton and Princess Charlotte, polka dots are still a fashion staple.
It was Charlotte who continued the trend at Wimbledon earlier this month, when she attended the men’s singles final with her mother in a navy ruffled dress by Guess.
The fashion-conscious Princess Margaret commissioned the print into the royal family in the late 1940s and it quickly became a favourite painting of the late Queen Elizabeth II, particularly in the early years of her reign.
Diana and Sarah, Duchess of York, introduced polka dot dresses in the 1980s, following on from Princess Anne in the 1960s.
Princess Charlotte wore a navy polka dot pleated Guess dress for her attendance at the Wimbledon men’s final with her mother, the Princess of Wales, on Sunday.
Fashion-conscious Princess Margaret bought the print in the late 1940s from the Royal Household. Above: Margaret reopens a teacher training college in Eltham, South East London, 1949
In May 1981, shortly after her engagement to Prince Charles was announced, Lady Diana Spencer wore a polka dot dress by Jasper Conran
Kate’s use of pattern shows that she knows her clothes are much more than just clothes: they also convey a message.
Alessandra Rich is the designer behind the majority of Kate’s polka-dot pieces, from her midi dress at Wimbledon in 2022 to a high-neck, long-sleeved gown at Royal Ascot that same year.
The latter was an almost exact replica of a Victor Edelstein dress that Princess Diana had worn to the same event forty years earlier.
For Prince Philip’s memorial service in March 2022, she chose a monochrome polka dot design.
In 1982, Diana introduced newborn Prince William to the press on the steps of St. Mary’s Hospital, decorated with teal polka dots.
35 years later, Kate chose a similar dress by Jenny Packham when she gave birth to newborn Prince George.
In 1982, Diana introduced newborn Prince William to the press on the steps of St. Mary’s Hospital in teal polka dots
Diana wore a fuchsia polka dot dress by Donald Campbell when she visited Rome in 1985
Princess Diana wears a blue Catherine Walker outfit with white polka dots as she awaits the arrival of West German President Richard von Weizsacker at Victoria Station at the start of his state visit, 1986
At the 1987 Epsom Derby it was an 80s padded shoulder polka dot skirt suit for Sarah Ferguson, who was dressed head to toe in monochrome
At home in Kensington Palace, Princess Diana chose a navy blue dress with white polka dots, white lapels and a bow neckline, October 1985
Princess Anne wore this white and light blue polka dot dress on the grounds of Buckingham Palace in the 1960s
For the 1952 Royal Windsor Horse Show, Queen Elizabeth II, newly crowned after the death of her father, wore a structured peplum jacket and an A-line skirt, both with a polka dot pattern
Kate wore a chic button-down dress by her favorite designer Alessandra Rich for an exhibition at Bletchley Park in 2019
In a look reminiscent of Princess Diana, Kate wore a white and brown polka dot dress by Alessandra Rich with a matching Sally-Ann Provan hat to Royal Ascot 2022
Kate attended Prince Philip’s memorial service at Westminster Abbey in 2022 wearing a long-sleeved Alessandra Rich dress with a high neck, a nod to 1970s style
For Royal Ascot 2022, Princess Beatrice gave her polka dots a glamorous twist with crystal bows adorning the front of her black-and-white polka dot dress by It-girl brand Saloni
Zara Tindall steps out in a dramatic spotted LK Bennet dress, embellished with glittering statement buttons, for Easter Sunday 2022
What has made this picture so appealing over the decades?
The simplicity and versatility of the print are important factors.
Polka dots can be worn both casually and formally, making them suitable for all occasions.
Whether it’s a tailored dress for a formal engagement or a playful blouse for a more relaxed occasion, they can be effortlessly combined in a variety of settings.
In addition, dots have a nostalgic charm that evokes a sense of vintage glamour.
This sense of continuity and timelessness is particularly important to the British Royal Family, who are seen as guardians of tradition and heritage.