Forget the scruffy silhouette, it's the warmth that counts when the royals are out and about – and that's why they've given their seal of approval to the modest padded jacket, writes ELIZA SCARBOROUGH

Serving both function and fashion, the royals use this cold-weather item in countless styles.

Some may lament the scruffy silhouette of the classic padded jacket, but the royals have given it a stamp of approval.

It can be worn for a long time, as Princess Charlene showed us a few days ago in Burberry during a charity football match.

Or it can be embellished with crystals from Blumarine for Princess Madeleine.

Or it can be cool and bright, like Princess Kate's red jacket from Perfect Moment.

Catherine, Princess of Wales

The Princess of Wales is a real trendsetter when it comes to the quilted jacket – or puffer as it is commonly known.

Far from boring, basic and black, the royal prefers a striking red ski jacket for royal engagements, opting for a padded version of the Perfect Moment version.

It will last for many seasons and remains her jacket of choice for outdoor track events, football matches and visits to Christmas tree farms.

Princess Diana

Princess Diana opted for a memorable padded jacket during a trip to Austria in 1994.

It was recently reimagined for the filming of The Crown. Her puffer brought regal glamor to the ski slopes and could now easily be seen on the catwalk thirty years later.

Princess Charlene of Monaco

While celebrating her 46th birthday in Monaco, Princess Charlene dressed up and matched her colors with her daughter Princess Gabriella in a Maxmara waistcoat.

The longer length and diamond filling kept this puffer from being frumpy and gave a flattering silhouette.

Queen Mary of Denmark

Queen Mary is a fan of Moncler when it comes to puffer coats and owns seven different quilted styles.

Here, during a children's relay in 2015, she chose to dress in a sporty jacket with small cap sleeves, paired with a Breton top for a doppelgänger Kate look.

Princess Madeleine of Sweden

Princess Madeleine shows that puffers should not only be used for sporting occasions and dresses up the modest padded jacket for an evening concert in honor of Crown Princess Victoria's 38th birthday.

She opted for a Blumarine cream style with crystal embellishments and shorter sleeves and completed the glamorous ensemble with Givenchy heels and printed trousers.

Dame Amelia Windsor

Lady Amelia cut a casual figure and opted for an oversized style in a neutral shade of gray as she braved the cold in London in 2020.

She kept the look balanced by wearing her All Saints costume over a pair of sleek patterned gym leggings.

Grand Duchess Maria Teresa

Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg visited the Red Cross Bazaar, bold and cheerful, in a vibrant green puffer coat from Carolina Herrera, complete with a matching wrap-around scarf.

She kept the silhouette sleek and chic and wore it over printed silk Dries Van Noten trousers and Prada pumps.

Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh

Dress warmly in a long gray puffer to stand on the hockey sidelines while watching a training session at the Bisham Abbey National Sports Centre.

Duchess Sophie dressed up her winter coat with a pair of Penelope Chilvers heels. She added her own leather belt to accentuate her waist and give the look a touch of individuality.

Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden

Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden stepped out in Stockholm for a fundraising event.

This was for the victims of Ukraine and stayed cozy in the cold thanks to her Patagonia puffer coat. The monochrome outfit is long and padded and is completed with fur-lined Prada boots for the ultimate in luxurious layering.

Princess Maria Olympia of Greece

Princess Maria Olympia donned chic ski gear in the mountains of St. Moritz and wore a Moncler Palm Angels jacket.

With a satin finish and thick padding, the fashionable princess met all the trends with this quilted piece

Duchess of Sussex

On the final day of their 2018 tour in New Zealand, the Duchess of Sussex dressed in black Mother Denim jeans, a navy blouse from Givenchy and black flats from Birdies as she and Prince Harry went for a walk in the woods.

The star of her outfit, however, was her chic and understated puffer jacket from Scandinavian brand Norrona, which she borrowed from her husband.