Meet Beatrice Borromeo, Europe's 'most stylish royal'
Scooch over Meghan and Kate: there's a new royal on the style block and she's just scooped a top fashion award.
Society bible Tatler has named Beatrice Borromeo of Monaco as the most stylish European royal, praising her "sartorial savoir-faire" and her "penchant for Valentino, Armani Prive and Chanel".
The 36-year-old royal is the daughter of Don Carlo Ferdinando, of the Italian aristocratic house Borromeo and worked as a political journalist before marrying Pierre Casiraghi, 33, the son of Caroline, Princess of Hanover and the grandson of Grace Kelly.
And it was her choice of wedding frock, or should we say four dresses - two by Valentino and two by Armani Privé - that really cemented her style credentials with Vogue describing her nuptials as the "chicest wedding of the summer" back in 2015.
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The magazine called Borromeo the "Monégasque royal to keep your eye on" describing her wedding dresses as "a love letter to the greats of Italian fashion".
Fast forward six years, and now a mother-of-two, Borromeo hasn't let her style crown slip with Tatler describing her fashion prowess as "chic" yet "modern".
"The mother-of-two cuts an elegant figure everywhere she goes – whether it’s a red carpet, a royal appearance or simply yacht-hopping," the publication states.
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This year, she became an ambassador for Dior, opting for a classic navy jumpsuit to watch their 2021 fashion show virtually.
"A long-time friend of Dior and a brand ambassador for them since the beginning of 2021, Beatrice Borromeo has been immersed in the fashion world for many years," explains royal style expert, Abbey Booth, stylist and owner of Stories with Clothes.
"Formerly a journalist and radio show presenter and the daughter of a count, her family are ancient aristocratic Italians who currently own most of the Borromean Islands in the Lago Maggiore, Milan city, and many other estates in the Lombardyand Piedmont countryside."
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Booth says Borromeo's modelling background has afforded her knowledge and intimacy with couture fashion, having walked for brands such as Chanel, Valentino, Trussardi, aw well as becoming the face of Bluemarine.
"This has enabled her to explore her style with the highest quality of fabrics and craftsmanship and is akin to a degree in couture fashion!
"She is able to explore styles which perhaps the Duchess of Cambridge isn’t able to due to her high status and public facing role as a senior member of the British Royal Family."
Comparing the two royals style credentials, Booth says that Borromeo often wears "daring styles with lots of detail, fabrication and opulence with a more fashion-forward element, such as shorter length dresses, lower cut necklines."
On the other hand, she says the Duchess of Cambridge has a much more conservative and classic style perfectly suited to her role as well as specific guidelines to adhere to.
"Beatrice has much more freedom and with her background in fashion is able to really explore and express her style with panache."
According to luxury fashion stylist, Miranda Holder, Borromeo’s style has evolved and blossomed over the last 10 years or so, as she becomes more comfortable in her own skin.
"She embraces womanhood, embodying beauty and grace - her fabulous sense of style is as much about her inner confidence as it is the clothes she wears," Holder explains.
"Beatrice artfully combines old-school sophisticated Hollywood glamour with an effortless 'undone edge’, there is almost a Kate Moss-inspired rock chick aesthetic - a look which can be tricky to pull off."
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In terms of her fashion picks, Holder says Borromeo clearly has an inherent sense of style. "Her choices don’t feel at all contrived but are perfectly matched in silhouette to her enviable figure, but there is a sense of mystery and a daring element about her wardrobe that makes us look forward to the next outfit and keenly anticipate what she might be wearing next," she adds.
"Beatrice is comfortable in making a style statement and takes risks, whilst retaining elegance and chic."
