Royal Dress Code: What to Wear at London’s Royal Events and Where to Find the Rules

When you’re invited to a royal event in London, the royal dress code, a set of unwritten but strictly followed guidelines for attire at official royal functions in the United Kingdom. Also known as court dress, it’s not about fashion—it’s about respect, history, and knowing your place in a centuries-old system. This isn’t just for the elite. Whether you’re attending a royal wedding, a garden party at Buckingham Palace, or a state banquet, getting it wrong can be awkward. Getting it right? It’s a quiet win that says you’ve done your homework.

The royal dress code, a set of unwritten but strictly followed guidelines for attire at official royal functions in the United Kingdom. Also known as court dress, it’s not about fashion—it’s about respect, history, and knowing your place in a centuries-old system. is tied to the royal events London, official ceremonies and gatherings hosted by the British royal family, including coronations, state openings of Parliament, and garden parties. For men, that usually means morning dress for daytime events and white tie for evening ones. For women, it’s often a day dress with a hat or a formal evening gown with a tiara if you’re invited to a state dinner. You don’t need to buy a £5,000 gown, but you do need to avoid jeans, sneakers, or anything too casual—even if it’s summer and the palace gardens are buzzing. The Buckingham Palace dress code, the specific set of expectations for attire at events held at Buckingham Palace, including garden parties and receptions. is the most visible, but it’s not the only one. The rules shift slightly for royal weddings, funerals, and even the Trooping the Colour.

What’s changed? A lot. The monarchy has relaxed some rules, especially for younger royals and public events. Women now wear pantsuits to garden parties. Men skip the top hat at less formal occasions. But the core remains: if you’re in the presence of the royal family, you dress to honor the occasion, not to stand out. You’ll find people in London’s boutiques and vintage shops carefully selecting pieces that meet the code without looking like they’re in a costume. The royal wedding attire, the formal dress standards expected for guests attending official royal weddings, including color restrictions and modesty guidelines. is still one of the strictest—no white unless you’re the bride, no black unless it’s a funeral, and always, always cover your shoulders.

And it’s not just about what you wear. It’s about understanding why it matters. These rules aren’t relics—they’re living traditions that connect the present to the past. People who follow them aren’t trying to impress the royals. They’re showing they understand the weight of the moment. That’s why you’ll see locals in Islington or Hackney researching dress codes months before a royal event, borrowing hats, renting gloves, or tailoring a dress they already own. It’s practical. It’s thoughtful. It’s British.

Below, you’ll find real stories and guides from people who’ve navigated these rules—whether they were invited to a garden party, dressed for a royal funeral, or just wanted to know what to wear to a London event that felt a little more official than usual. No fluff. Just what you need to know to show up, fit in, and leave with your head held high.