Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Prudence Wade (Press Association) & Susie Beever

Strict dress code for mourners at Queen's funeral – and what royals wore for the day

A funeral fit for the Queen comes with a very strict dress code.

With the entire world's eyes on the guests at Queen Elizabeth II's state funeral at Westminster and Windsor today, expectations could not have been higher.

Experts in etiquette Debrett's have revealed the rigid rules when it comes to funeral attire for occasions as grand and important as this.

From skirt lengths to what to lace on your lapels, mourners are not allowed to turn up to state funerals in just anything.

Debrett's has been publishing guides on what to wear for aristocratic occasions since the mid-1900s, and has shared the fundamental do's and don'ts for the ceremony and procession.

Members of the Royal Family at the Queen's funeral (SKY NEWS)

Above all - and perhaps the most obvious rule - is that all guests to state funerals are obliged to wear black.

Women can "wear black knee-length dresses, or coats, black hats, and may also wear face-covering veils" while men can choose between either military attire or “black morning coats with medals”.

A morning coat is a blazer with a long tail, usually worn only for formal occasions, getting its name from 19th-century gentlemen who wore them while on morning horse outings.

Princess of Wales Kate opted for a long black coat dress with an elegant hat and black veil.

Princess of Wales Kate arriving for the state funeral with George and Charlotte (Phil Harris)

Around her neck was the Queen's four-strand Japanese pearl and diamond choker, which the Queen previously wore to the Duke of Edinburgh's funeral.

Royals have always traditionally worn pearls during mourning due to their simple elegance, while they are also said to symbolise tears.

Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, also wore a simple black cape dress, gloves and a similar brimmed black hat.

She also wore very minimal jewellery, with a subtle pair of pearl earrings gifted to her by the Queen.

Female members of the Royal Family wore items of jewellery gifted to them by the Queen in tribute (Tim Rooke/REX/Shutterstock)

The late Queen was known for loaning out jewellery, with new Queen Consort Camilla donning the Hesse Diamond Jubilee brooch – diamonds in the shape of an open heart, with two sapphire pendants.

The piece was a gift to Queen Victoria from her grandchildren, according to Vogue.

Even seven-year-old Princess Charlotte wore a diamond horseshoe pin from her great-grandmother, as well as a sweet black boater-style hat.

Catherine, Princess of Wales, Princess Charlotte of Wales, Prince George of Wales and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex (WPA Pool/Getty Images)

Sophie, Countess of Wessex, was seen in a calf-length pleated coat and floral black dress which hid a sweet tribute to the Queen – her favourite blooms, lilies of the valley.

Commentator and gardener Alan Titchmarsh confirmed this in a story about his friendship with the monarch.

For the first time, women have been permitted to wear trouser suits to the Queen's state funeral.

The Princess Royal could be seen wearing a military trouser suit, alongside senior male members of the Royal Family.

King Charles, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward (AFP via Getty Images)

The King and other royals including Princess Anne, Prince William and Prince Edward all wore military uniforms.

Prince Andrew and Prince Harry, who are no longer working royals, wore suits to the ceremony.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.