Hey Lovelies, 

I hope you are already to get dressed up for this royal party that is about to happen on the blog lovelies, because with only a few more days to go until ‘A Royal Night Out’ comes out on DVD and Blu-ray I wanted to celebrate with you a very special element of the film. For me sometimes the way a character look is the reason in which we remember them. 

And with royal figures being presented within films a lot more, I wanted to share with you all a feature in which I have recently read because it talks and explores the fashion within royal films lovelies, which I thought was a really interesting element to look out. 

I will admit lovelies that I did not write this, as I think the writer deserves the credit, as it is brilliant lovelies and I hope that you all enjoy it…

The monarchy always makes for a fascinating subject on film, due in no small part to the incredible array of costumes that are often on display. From 17th century France to imperial Russia, the sartorial choices of Royalty always make for a spectacular showpiece. To celebrate the release of A ROYAL NIGHT OUT, which arrives on Blu-ray, DVD and On Demand from 7th Sept 2015 and EST from 4th Sept 2015, we take a look back on some of the greatest royal fashion on film...

A Royal Night Out (2015): Inspired by true events, this heart-warming, wonderfully nostalgic romantic comedy tells the riotous tale of a beloved future monarch experiencing the energy and spirit of one of the most unique nights in history. On VE Day, 1945, people all over Europe are celebrating the end of the war. London overflows with celebration and after pleading their case to their parents, two young girls are allowed to leave their house and join the party. Nothing particularly unusual about that... except, in this case, home is Buckingham Palace, and the two young girls are Princess Margaret (Bel Powley) and the future Queen of England, Elizabeth (Sarah Gadon). Gadon and Powley sport some beautiful  party dresses, complete with fur stoles and diamonds, while the extras are all bedecked in their 1940’s finest, giving even the most riotous street party scenes an effortlessly classy edge. 


A Little Chaos (2015): Alan Rickman and Kate Winslet reunite for this wonderfully romantic period drama, which focuses on brilliantly talented landscape gardener Madame Sabine De Barra (Winslet) who finds herself an unlikely candidate for landscape architect of the still‐to-be-completed Palace of Versailles. Thrown into the bewildering world of the court of King Louis XIV (Alan Rickman), she has little time for the classical, ordered designs of her employer, the famous architect Le Nôtre (Matthias Schoenaerts). However, as she works on her creation, she finds herself irresistibly drawn to him, while attempting to negotiate the perilous rivalries and intricate etiquette of the court. Joan Bergin oversaw the costumes, ensuring that Sabine’s humble dresses drew a sharp contrast alongside the showiness of Rickman’s King Louis XIV as well as a scene-stealing Stanley Tucci, who plays the king’s flamboyant brother, Philippe d’ Orleans.

Grace of Monaco (2014): Oliver Dahan’s biographical drama tells the story of former Hollywood star Grace Kelly's crisis of identity, during a political dispute between Monaco's Prince Rainier III and France's Charles De Gaulle, and a looming French invasion of Monaco in the early 60s. Nicole Kidman takes the lead, and absolutely looks the part in an array of beautifully designed 1960’s outfits, including a variety of ballgowns, as well as a collection of effortlessly chic shift dresses, hats and headscarves. 

The King’s Speech (2010): Tom Hooper’s historical drama tells the story of King George VI afflicted with a stammer at an important time in history where his voice needs to be heard by his nation. Visiting speech therapist Lionel Logue (Geoffrey Rush), he not only develops techniques to help him overcome his stammer, but an enduring friendship. Firth rightfully won an Oscar for his role. Costume designer Jenny Beavan beautifully complimented Hooper’s stylistic approach, ensuring the costumes offset the interiors and grand set pieces perfectly with sharp tailoring and prim, proper dresses. 

The Young Victoria (2009): Emily Blunt shines in this brilliantly crafted, hopelessly romantic account of Queen Victoria’s early years on the throne, directed by Jean-Marc Vallée. Tackling the tempestuous relationship with her mother and the constitutional crises she faced as a young monarch, Blunt is ably supported by Rupert Friend as Prince Albert, the suitor who charmed her, and eventually won her heart while helping her navigate a country in the midst of huge upheaval. Blunt models an array of stunning dresses and bonnets in keeping with the era, courtesy of costume designer Sandy Powell. 

The Other Boleyn Girl (2008): Natalie Portman and Scarlett Johansson co-star in this period drama based on Philippa Gregory’s bestselling novel about the rise and fall of Henry VIII’s second wife. Focusing on the tumultuous relationship between Anne Boleyn and her sister Mary as they compete for the affections of the king (Eric Bana), director Justin Chadwick makes brilliant use of the stifling, claustrophobic nature of the Tudor court. Costume designer Sandy Powell oversaw the incredible array of Tudor costumes, from ball gowns to Henry VIII’s extravagant furs and armours, and everything in between. 

Marie Antoinette (2006): Sofia Coppola’s retelling of France's iconic but ill-fated queen, follows her life from her betrothal and marriage to Louis XVI at 15, to her reign as queen at 19 and ultimately the fall of Versailles. Costume designer Milena Canonero oversaw the decadent 18th century outfits worn by Marie Antoinette (Kirsten Dunst) and her court, with Dunst modelling over 60 stunning gowns over the course of the film. 

The Queen (2006): Stephen Frears’ take on the days after Princess Diana’s death features a stunning performance from Helen Mirren as Queen Elizabeth II, as well as a brilliant turn from Michael Sheen as the newly elected Tony Blair.  As well as featuring genuine news and press conference footage from the week after the Princesses’ death, costume designer Consolata Boyle recreated the Queen’s trademark skirt suits beautifully, adding to the overall sense of almost documentary-like authenticity which pervades the film.

Anastasia (1997): This animated film features a star studded voice cast including Meg Ryan, John Cusack and Kelsey Grammer, and tells the story of the long-lost princess Anastasia, the last surviving child of the Russian Royal Family, who joins two con men to reunite with her grandmother, the Dowager Empress, while the undead Rasputin seeks her death. The animator did a wonderful job in recreating imperial Russia, as well as modern-day Paris, and the outfits of each character are drawn with beautiful attention to detail- particularly those worn by Meg Ryan’s Anastasia/ Anya.