4 Dress Trends Royals Have Been Wearing on the Red Carpet for Over 34 Years

There's no denying the influence Princess Diana has had on royal style. Kate Middleton has been known to gain outfit inspiration from the people's princess, most recently donning a Diana-inspired ensemble to the 2019 Royal Ascot. Meghan Markle is reviving a major '90s jewelry trend thanks to Princess Diana. Even Lady Kitty Spencer, Princess Di's niece, is no stranger to dressing exactly like her aunt.

But nowhere is Princess Diana's style legacy more apparent than on the red carpet. From the shoulder-baring little black dress she wore to the British premiere of Apollo 13 in 1995 to the iconic navy Dior slip dress she wore to the 1996 Met Gala, the red carpet dress trends she set have endured the test of time. Ahead, find out which dress trends royals have been wearing on the red carpet since 1985.

Sheer Lace Evening Gowns

Then: Princess Diana attended the 1985 premiere of Santa Claus in a long-sleeve navy dress with sheer lace and button detailing.

Now: Kate Middleton donned a teal Jenny Packham dress with remarkably similar details to a gala dinner at the Royal Albert Hall in 2012.

Lace Slip Dresses

Then: Princess Diana wore a navy blue Dior slip dress, complete with black lace trim at the bust, to the 1996 Met Gala.

Now: Lady Amelia Windsor sported a Stella McCartney cream satin dress with lace trim to the 2019 Royal Academy of Arts summer exhibition.

Little Black Dresses

Then: Princess Diana stunned in a shoulder-baring little black dress at the British premiere of Apollo 13 in 1995.

Now: Lady Kitty Spencer wore an off-the-shoulder Bvlgari LBD at the Bvlgari FESTA Gala Dinner at Banqueting House in 2018.

Now: Meghan Markle garnered attention in a demure LBD with sheer sleeves designed by Jason Wu at the European premiere of The Lion King in 2019.

One-Shoulder Dresses

Then: Gina Fratini designed the one-shouldered number Princess Diana wore to a charity gala in Rio de Janeiro in 1991.

Now: Kate Middleton walked the 2019 BAFTA red carpet in a one-shouldered Alexander McQueen dress.

Up next, the four dress trends every princess, duchess, and queen owns.