The Royal ‘copy {couples}’: Denmark’s Queen Mary and King Frederik used matching outfits to silence rumours of marital woes, and Prince William and Kate prefer to coordinate too

In the world of royalty where every move is carefully analysed, fashion plays a pivotal role in communicating subtle messages.

Coordinated dressing has been a powerful publicity tool among royals for decades.

From Kate and William in pale blue at Wimbledon in 2019 to Zara and Mike Tindall‘s stripes at the Epsom Derby, this sartorial strategy is more than just a style choice, it’s a statement of unity and togetherness.

Perhaps no couple have wielded this tactic more effectively than Denmark’s Queen Mary and King Frederik, whose matching blazers and brown trousers during their recent Baltic Sea tour helped to quell rumours of marital discord.

Here are some of the times royal couples have put on a united front using the subtle art of coordinated clothing.

Queen Mary and King Frederik of Denmark 

In August, King Frederik and Queen Mary of Denmark put on a united front during a visit to the Danish island of Bornholm. 

After a year of rumours about their marriage, the couple looked happy together as they appeared in coordinated outfits for an outing at a church in the island’s town of Gudhjem. 

Mary chose a Harris Wharf blazer that matched Frederik’s oatmeal design, while they both wore smart, warm brown trousers. 

Relationship counsellor Caroline Chambers believes that mirroring your partner’s fashion choices is related to having a keen sense of empathy and signifies a ‘high level of happiness’ within a relationship. 

When presenting your relationship to the world, your appearance is a big part of showing alignment. 

‘Our mirror neurons create a connection reflecting our partner in ourselves,’ relationship therapist Elinor Harvey says. 

Princess Beatrice and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi 

Cool in camel, Princess Beatrice and Edo coordinated in chic neutral shades at Cheltenham Racecourse earlier this year. 

Beatrice was elegant in a caramel coat from The Fold, which she paired with an Emily London tweed headband adorned with a giant bow.

It perfectly complemented her husband Edo, who matched her toffee-hued look with a brown tweed suit layered beneath a chequered coat.

Zara and Mike Tindall 

For Derby Day at Epsom in 2023, Zara Tindall looked chic as ever in a button-front dress with monochrome stripes.

She stepped out alongside her husband Mike for the grand day out at the races.

Mike’s striped tie and tail suit nicely complemented Zara’s Ralph Lauren puff sleeve frock and Camilla Rose fascinator, with her Laurence Coste earrings picking out the black accents in their look.

Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex 

In March 2020, Prince Harry marked his final engagement as Captain General of the Royal Marines – before he and Meghan Markle departed life as working royals. 

The Duke wore formal red and black military uniform for the last time in public at the Mountbatten Music Festival at the Royal Albert Hall.

Meghan’s look was the perfect accompaniment. The Duchess made a statement in a caped red gown by Safiyaa, with Stuart Weitzman pumps and a Manolo Blahnik clutch – complete with black dangling earrings that gave a nod to the black accents on her husband’s suit.

Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales 

The Prince and Princess of Wales stepped out to catch the Wimbledon men’s final match between Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic in 2019 wearing cool blues. 

While Kate was radiant in a cornflower blue fit-and-flare dress from Emilia Wickstead featuring a square neckline and cap sleeves, William looked equally dapper in a pale grey suit with light blue detailing and pastel blue shirt.

The couple do not tend to indulge in public displays of affection during their royal duties, but instead use fashion to show their unity. 

‘Harmonious dressing can be a subconscious occurrence that typically happens when relationships become more established, in a way, it’s like relationship conformity,’ Ms Harvey added. 

Prince Albert and Princess Charlene of Monaco 

Princess Charlene of Monaco and her husband Prince Albert stepped out for the final match of the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters tennis tournament this year in his ‘n’ hers blazers. 

The nautical-style, navy tailoring featured polished gold buttons for both of them.

Charlene’s double-breasted jacket from Polo Ralph Lauren was worn with a striped shirt from the designer beneath. 

Albert’s Monte Carlo Country Club jacket was worn with a striped club tie. 

King Willem and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands 

The King and Queen of the Netherlands wore coordinated navy and bronze outfits when they stepped out for a tour of the city of Bremen in 2019.

Maxima dressed in a Jan Taminiau ombré cape layered over a striped dress from the same designer, which paired perfectly with Willem’s bronze tie. 

Keeping with the colour theme Willem wore a navy suit, with metallic pink his tie a nod to the accents of his wife’s outfit.

Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden and Prince Daniel 

Swedish royal couple Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel started their three-day visit to the UK last year with a quintessentially British experience at a local pub in Newmarket.

Appropriately dressed for the occasion, the pair embraced countryside chic in waxed coats layered over cream and camel ensembles. 

Victoria chose a Toteme jacket with a Soft Goat sweater, silk Vesna W blouse and a HÈST scarf, which complemented her husband’s coat and light brown suit.