All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
With the addition of Princess Sofia this summer (coming in strong with four chic outfits on day one of her first official engagement), the Swedish royal family is making a run for the title of world's best-dressed royalty. The monarchy has just unveiled a new exhibit dedicated to the style of Princess Lillian, a former model who became a princess when she married a 64-year-old Prince Bertil in 1976 (she was 61). She passed away in 2013 at the age of 97.
Princess Sofia with husband Prince Carl Philip and mother-in-law Queen Silvia at the exhibit's opening
"It is sometimes said that the clothes make the woman. But with Princess Lilian it was the opposite," Queen Silvia said at the pre-opening ceremony. "The pieces shown in this exhibition reflect Princess Lilian's personality. There's that glint in the eye that was so characteristic of her."
Princess Sofia picked a slate blue, off-the-shoulder dress for the occasion and mimicked the accessory choices she made on that impressive mini style tour she just had—the sheer tights and nude Saint Laurent pumps are both repeats.
For the Nobel Prize Ceremony in 2003, Princess Lillian, on the far left, picked pale yellow, while Queen Silvia and Princess Victoria did punchy pink and baby blue. At a 2000 ceremony she showed off some of the country's most magnificent gems.
The exhibit, titled Designs for a Princess—The Lilian Look!, will be open now through Jan. 6. It includes roughly 30 pieces of clothing and accessories spanning three decades, all housed in the Bernadotte Apartments at the Royal Palace of Stockholm. Items are broken up into six categories, including weddings, family celebrations, and official duties, and include many pieces by designer Elizabeth Wondrak. Similar to how British designer Norman Hartnell worked extensively with Queen Elizabeth and Princess Margaret (creating both of their wedding gowns among many iconic items), the Swedish princess relied heavily on Wondrak.
If you find yourself in the mood for another royal style retrospective, come see how Princess Diana's maternity looks compare side-by-side with Kate Middleton's.
Speaking of Kate, did you know any of these fun facts about our fave duchess?
