Queen Camilla's Style Might Be Different Than Queen Elizabeth, But She Keeps One Royal Legacy Alive

The first Buckingham Palace garden party of 2026 was proof.

Queen Elizabeth in a pink coat; Queen Camilla, King Charles and Princess Anne at a garden party
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Queen Elizabeth’s style is being explored in a blockbuster exhibition at Buckingham Palace this year, and although the late monarch is no longer with us, touches of her iconic wardrobe are still seen in the Royal Family. Queen Camilla, for one, showed similarities to her late mother-in-law at the first Buckingham Palace garden party of the year on May 6.

The Queen had a Cinderella moment on her coronation anniversary, repeating a beautifully embroidered Fiona Clare coat dress with a matching Philip Treacy hat—but it was the rest of her accessories that brought Queen Elizabeth to mind.

Queen Camilla, King Charles, Princess Anne and Prince Edward at a garden party

Queen Camilla carries a Launer clutch and Fulton umbrella to a garden party on May 6.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Queen Elizabeth in a bright blue coat holding an umbrella

Queen Camilla is seen with one of her distinctive handbags and umbrellas.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Camilla carried an ivory clutch by British brand Launer, and the designer's distinctive bags were perhaps the most recognizable part of Queen Elizabeth's royal wardrobe. Queen Camilla is also an admirer of the luxury label and has been seen with their bags over the past 20 years, even carrying a Launer clutch to her 2005 civil wedding to King Charles.

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Although Queen Elizabeth exclusively carried Launer bags for decades—with the exception of a few rare, custom-made designs—Camilla is often seen with purses from other brands. She's especially fond of the Lady Dior bag, ironically named after Princess Diana, and also favors Demellier, Moynat and Anya Hindmarch, which she recently granted with a royal warrant.

Queen Elizabeth in a peach suit

Queen Elizabeth carries a Launer bag in 2002.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Queen Camilla wearing a blue coat and hat talking to people at a garden party

Queen Camilla wears a Fiona Clare coat dress to the palace garden party.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Camilla also channeled the late Queen at the garden party by carrying a clear umbrella by royal-favorite brand Fulton. It's a style the late Queen couldn't get enough of, and she owned the bubble umbrella in a rainbow of colors to match her outfits.

Ever-practical Camilla, however, didn't coordinate her coat to her umbrella like the late Queen, whose enormous Fulton collection ranged from baby pink to bright green and everything in between. Instead, Queen Camilla carried a go-with-everything black-trimmed design rather than a pastel blue umbrella.

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Kristin Contino
Senior Royal and Celebrity Editor

Kristin Contino is Marie Claire's Senior Royal and Celebrity editor. She's been covering royalty since 2018—including major moments such as the Platinum Jubilee, Queen Elizabeth II’s death and King Charles III's coronation—and places a particular focus on the British Royal Family's style and what it means.

Prior to working at Marie Claire, she wrote about celebrity and royal fashion at Page Six Style and covered royalty from around the world as chief reporter at Royal Central. Kristin has provided expert commentary for outlets including the BBC, Sky News, US Weekly, the Today Show and many others.

Kristin is also the published author of two novels, “The Legacy of Us” and “A House Full of Windsor.” She's passionate about travel, history, horses, and learning everything she can about her favorite city in the world, London.