How Meghan stepped out in daring Aquazzura heels. They turned up the style dial in royal fashion, writes ALICE HARE (although it’s not entirely clear whether Queen Elizabeth approved…)

Meghan started it. Then Kate picked it up. Beatrice and Eugenie followed. Zara was next. No, we are not talking about the latest form of yoga.

It’s Aquazzura heels we’re talking about – duh. Any discerning fan of royal style will have noticed that the Italian luxury shoe brand has become the royal family’s favorite brand of late – and for good reason.

When Meghan Markle stepped out for her engagement photos in November 2017, fashion fans were quick to notice her choice of footwear. Aquazzura’s ‘Matilde’ pumps were markedly different from the more traditional shoe choices hitherto made by royal women.

Meghan attends the opening of the Oceania exhibition at the Royal Academy of Arts in Aquazzura’s Bow Tie Pumps 105

The Bow Tie pumps will appear at Buckingham Palace in 2018

Eugenie joins the trend and wears Aquazzura Matilde pumps in July 2018

These were undoubtedly influenced by the late Queen Elizabeth, who had conservative views on shoes – and strong views on certain styles. It is said that her distaste for wedges meant that Kate only wore them at events where the Queen was not present.

So Meghan’s engagement shoes, with their four-inch heel and criss-cross detailing, were quite different.

They were certainly not chic-meets-sensible signature Anello & Davide block heel loafers, worn by the Queen and also a contrast to the classic, no-nonsense LK Bennett pumps favored by Kate.

No, Meghan offered a new take on the heel pump that was—whisper it—a little provocative.

Provocative?!

They’re barely eight-inch platforms, I hear you say. Well, yes. But there’s something about the addition of the spaghetti-thin crossed strap at the front of Meghan’s Aquazzura Matilde heels that creates a beautifully elegant v-shape on the foot.

And the heel was just a little higher than the royal pumps of old – only an inch or so, but it makes all the difference. Less shabby, 80s mother of the bride and more…elegant.

Kate leaves a National Portrait Gallery reopening ceremony in Aquazzura Bow Tie heels

Kate’s sleek heels are seen from the back during the coronation celebrations

The iconic bow tie pumps worn by Catherine, Princess of Wales and other members of the Royal Family

Princess Beatrice in her Aquazzura Forever 105 black suede pumps for this year’s Easter service at St George’s Chapel Windsor

Kate quickly realized that an Aquazzura pump could instantly modernize a look. It is thought that she now owns six different styles.

Kate doesn’t have a pair like Meghan’s with a cross-front, but in addition to some of their traditional pump styles (featuring updated royal pumps from yesteryear with their ever-so-slightly higher heel), she also has some of their ‘bow shoes’. tie’ pumps.

It is a traditional pump with a modern twist: small cutouts on the sides are finished with a bow detail at the back of the ankle. Sounds grim, looks chic.

Why are they modern? Because, like Meghan’s engagement heels, they draw attention to the foot.

You can see a glimpse of Kate’s (perfectly pedicured) heels as she wears her bow tie pumps. There’s a reason why royals don’t walk around in toe-baring sandals in the summer. It is an unwritten rule among the elegant that open-toe shoes or shoes that in any way expose the front of the foot are unacceptable.

However, Aquazzura has figured out how to modernize the traditional pump without ever descending into vulgarity.

Queen Letizia of Spain and Queen Máxima of the Netherlands have also joined the Aquazzura gang. And they’re not the only international royals who love the brand’s timeless and modern mix: the twenty-seven-year-old, achingly cool Princess Olympia of Greece was announced as their ambassador last year.

Zara Tindall at a VIP reception wearing Forever Marilyn black suede pumps from Aquazzura

Queen Letizia in her Aquazzura at the Forever Pump 105 in March 2023

Queen Máxima wore a wool cape from the Belgian couture label Maison Natan over trousers and top from the same designer. She added a pop of color with the Lady Dior pouch in a cherry red shade. The look was finished with black suede pumps from Aquazzura

Princess Olympia of Greece is the royal brand ambassador for Aquazzura

Princess Olympia models the Tequila Plexi sandals for Aquazzura

There are few fashion houses that successfully combine traditional craftsmanship with groundbreaking design – so often it is one or the other.

And this is Aquazzura’s appeal to the royal family: their shoes are handmade with comfort paramount – something that is necessary when you are on your feet all day for a public performance.

They do this without looking at all orthopedic – they are cool and modern, but never flashy. Comfort and style? A double jeopardy for shoes, if you will.

Zara Tindall stepped out for King Charles’ birthday party last night in a pair of the brand’s ‘Forever Marilyn’ pumps and made it clear: who needs glass slippers when you’ve got Aquazzura?