Is Princess Charlene of Monaco following in the glamorous footsteps of Grace Kelly – and becoming the most expensively dressed Royal in Europe?
The Monaco royal family is associated with enviable glamour thanks to actress, beauty and fashion icon Grace Kelly.
Yet the late fashionista, who became Princess Grace on marriage to Prince Rainier in 1956, isn’t the only princess of Monaco with enviable royal style – and the budget to purchase it.
Former Olympic competitor Princess Charlene has become known for her eclectic fashion sense, often redefining the rules of royal style protocol.
From the red carpet to more formal royal events, Charlene’s designer looks have given her the top-of-the-frocks crown year after year for the royal with the most expensive wardrobe.
Last year, her clothes were worth some £211,364, including gowns from Akris and Valentino, Graff jewels and accessories by Manolo Blahnik, Jimmy Choo and Bottega Veneta.
Princess Charlene’s expensive taste dates right back to her wedding day look in July 2011, when she was swathed in 130 metres of silk thanks to an Armani Privé gown with a bardot neckline, the whole thing dripping in 20,000 mother-of-pearl teardrops.
The gown, which at the time cost £11,000 (making it some £15,500 at current prices) was pure princess perfection.
Today, she is one of the one of the most recognised princesses around the world – and no wonder.
International Women’s Lunch – March 8 2023 (£4430)
Perfect in pastels, Princess Charlene wears a chic £3580 pale blue Akris suit as she attends the Women in Sport lunch in Monaco to celebrate International Womens Day. The Princess completed her ensemble with £850 Christian Dior black pumps, which she has owned since 2014
Shimmering at the Monaco Women Awards in a £4600 Akris gown embellished with silver sequins, Charlene accessorised the red carpet look with dazzling £77,850 diamond earrings from Graff
Tennis Tournament – April 16 (£5330)
Charlene turns to her favourite brand Akris with this £2560 blazer layered over £1190 trousers and a £480 camisole for the Monaco Rolex Masters tournament. The ensemble was completed with a chic £1100 clutch from the same label
Monaco Grand Prix – May 28 (£4380)
Princess Charlene opts for Akris once again as she joins the Monaco royal family for the F1 Grand Prix. This uplifting and playful £3550 Akris creation with rainbow-coloured pleats is paired with royal blue £830 Dior pumps.
Monaco Grand Prix Gala – May 28 (£9990)
Princess Charlene was a picture of elegance as she stepped out for the Gala Dinner following the Monaco Grand Prix. Robed in a £8900 Valentino floor-length monochrome gown and £1080 Hermès sandals, the royal looked sleek and composed alongside husband Prince Albert
Monaco Basketball – June 17 (£5070)
Princess Charlene, standing centre left, epitomises summer style in an all-white ensemble as she and Prince Albert welcome basketball athletes to a reception at the Palace of Monaco. Her £2500 Giorgio Armani sleeveless silky top and matching £1900 tapered cream trousers are cinched with a silver belt and accessorised with £670 Jimmy Choo sandals
Closing Ceremony at the Monte Carlo TV awards – June 21 (£6000)
Presenting an award at the Monte-Carlo Television Festival, Charlene chose a £6000 gown from one of her favourite brands, Akris. Made in silk with lapels and a full skirt, the show-stopping piece gave a feminine spin to tuxedo tailoring.
Candlelit Dinner – July 19 (£1100)
It’s Akris once again, Charlene’s go-to brand for glamour. For this candlelit dinner in Monaco, the princess wears a delicately detailed £1100 black gown
Nelson Mandela Gala – July 18 (£2010)
Monochrome tailoring by Emporio Armani ensures Princess Charlene lookis fresh and sleek for a fundraising gala in aid of the Nelson Mandela Foundation. Her £680 blazer, £390 trousers and £940 top are a stylish alternative to a sparkling gown.
A Meeting with the French Ambassador – September 5 (£2194)
Charlene steps out with Prince Albert to welcome the new French Ambassador to Monaco looking the epitome of elegance. She wears a £119 Ralph Lauren fitted top featuring an off-the shoulder neckline teamed with a pair of £2075 Ralph Lauren wide-leg pleated trousers in a matching navy
Golf tournament – September 6 (£5365)
It’s the Audrey Hepburn look for Charlene with a 1620 top and £1750 skirt from The Row with £495 flat Christian Louboutin pumps – perfect for showing off her golfing skills at the Princess of Monaco Cup. A £1500 Hermès cuff completes the classic 50’s ensemble
Monégasque pensioners event – September 24 (£6905)
Sporting her trademark blonde crop, Princess Charlene supports the Association of Monégasque Seniors. For this event she dresses in quiet luxury with a dark chocolate £2040 Akris skirt plus an asymmetric top from cult brand The Row costing £1490. This was topped with Bottega Veneta’s iconic Leather Knot Minaudiere clutch, £2780, and a pair of £595 Manolo Blahnik pumps
Rugby World Cup Final – October 26 (£3015)
Jubilant at the Rugby World Cup Final as South Africa defeat New Zealand, Princess Charlene wraps up in a grey tweed £3015 Max Mara coat and simple black roll neck.
Twinning Ceremony – November 4 (£2840)
Taking inspiration from Kate Middleton’s camel tailoring, Princess Charlene attends a reception to mark the ‘twinning’ of Monaco with Dolceacqua on the other side of the Italian border. She wears a cashmere Chloé jacket, £1835, with matching trousers, £1005.
Festival des Etoiles – November 12 (£3685)
Adding detail and opulence to a classic £875 black Maxmara dress with a £775 Jimmy Choo belt, Princess Charlene stuns at the Festival Des Étoilés in Monte-Carlo. The ensemble, which accentuates her silhouette, was finished off with a £1295 Jimmy Choo clutch and £740 Gianvito Rossi pumps
Gifts to Red Cross – November 16 (£6815)
Wearing a £5055 Loro Piana navy wool gilet, Princess Charlene looks typically stylish as she helps with Monaco’s Red Cross Christmas giveaway. Featuring leather lapels, the luxe piece was worn over a black sweater and £1760 Louis Vuitton boots
Monaco’s National Day – November 19 (£9185)
Radiant in red at Monaco’s National Day Celebrations, Princess Charlene turns to DidierAngelo to create a bespoke coat and dress for the occasion at a cost of £6250. A coordinating hat by Stephen Jones, £1860, and Graff ruby earrings, together with matching £1075 Manolo Blahnik boots complete the ensemble
National Day Gala – November 19 (£4845)
Charlene turns to the glamour of Old Hollywood with a £4250 DidierAngelo ruby sequin gown as she and Prince Albert attend a glitzy gala to celebrate Monaco’s National Day. The dress is accessorised with £595 Manolo Blahnik pumps.
Café de Paris Reopening – November 22 (£8440)
Charlene is s a vision of pared-back glamour at the inauguration of the new Cafe de Paris in Monte Carlo. She wears a belted Burberry jacket, £2120 accessorised with a £5650 Louis Vuitton Capucines bag and £670 Louis Vuitton pumps
Children’s Rights Day – November 23 (£2035)
Princess Charlene marks World Children’s Day in Monaco in a sophisticated tonal ensemble. Keeping things classic and cool, her sleek £835 Max Mara coat is cinched at the waist with a £295 Balenciaga belt, and worn with a pair of Stuart Weitzman boots, £905
Christmas Village – December 7 (£5780)
Pulling off a look combining cosy and chic, Princess Charlene opens the Monaco Christmas Village in a seasonal scarlet and cranberry plaid Burberry draped coat, £3990. She pairs the look with a simple black sweater and £1790 Dior boots
Receiving the Peace Light of Bethlehem – December 13 (£1160)
Princess Charlene optsfor tailoring in a £1160 Dries Van Noten double breasted wool blazer to receive the Peace Light of Bethlehem, a ceremony that began in 1986
Christmas Gift Distribution – December 17 (£2295)
Spreading some Christmas cheer, Princess Charlene distributes gifts with the Red Cross wrapped up in a £720 Maxmara sleeveless jacket. The monochrome look is completed with a £1015 Chloé sweater and £560 Akris trousers
Christmas Gift Distribution – December 22 (£6300)
Princess Charlene played Mrs Claus as she attends the annual Christmas gift distribution at the palace, a tradition initiated by Princess Grace in the 1960s. Charlene wears a £4595 Akris coat layered over a festive red £630 Emilia Wickstead sweater plus £1075 Manolo Blahnik boots