HRH-hand-me-downs! How young royals are raiding the closets of their very glamorous mothers - including Princess Charlotte, Lady Louise Windsor and Dutch Princess Ariane

No woman wants to turn into their mother - but when their closet is filled with designer dresses from the likes of Chanel, Oscar de la Renta and Nina Ricci, it would be rude not to borrow one or two of them.

So, perhaps it's no wonder that more and more young European royals are raiding their glamorous parents' wardrobes.

Most recently, Dutch Princess Ariane, 19, showed up at one of the Netherlands' most ceremonious celebrations in an elegant gown that belongs to her mother, Queen Maxima. 

The Dutch Royal Family came out in force on the balcony of Noordeinde Palace for Prince's Day (Prinsjesdag), the opening day of the Dutch parliament, which takes place annually on the third Tuesday in September.

For the occasion, Ariane turned to her mother's ensembles, borrowing, a Jan Taminiau gown in deep burgundy which boasted gem-encrusted cape detailing, debuted by Maxima in 2019, and then again in 2025.

She teamed the ensemble with a matching headband and golden earrings, as well as statement gloves.

Queen Maxima in March 2025, pictured left. Pictured right, Dutch Princess Ariane, 19, showed up at one of the Netherlands' most ceremonious celebrations on Tuesday in an elegant gown that belongs to her mother, Queen Maxima

Several princesses have also borrowed from their relatives' closets for special occasions - including Princess Ingrid Alexandra of Norway, who for her 18th birthday donned a black number from Lanvin, which her mother Crown Princess Mette-Marit first wore in 2004 at the Nobel concert.

So, as these pictures show, royal hand-me-downs are increasingly common in an eco-conscious age... 

PRINCESS ISABELLA AND QUEEN MARY OF DENMARK 

Denmark's Queen Mary has been quoted saying her teenage daughters 'wouldn't be caught dead' in her clothes - however, it seems their tune may have changed as her eldest Isabella often sports outfits worn by her mother.

The 19-year-old has wore a colourful garment belonging to the Australian-born queen when joining her family to watch a traditional changing of the guard ceremony at Gråsten Castle wearing a summery La DoubleJ Botanical-Print Midi Skirt. 

Mary wore the same skirt in some snaps posted to Instagram from a family holiday in Gråsten back in 2020 - when Isabella was just 13 years old. 

Then, Isabella stepped out in a pair of her mother's Chanel Lambskin Ballerinas in beige and black when they arrived in arrived in Gråsten for their summer holiday. 

Princess Isabella wore a colourful skirt belonging to her mother Queen Mary to watch a changing of the guard ceremony wearing a La DoubleJ Botanical-Print Midi Skirt in August 2025

Mary wore the same skirt in some snaps posted to Instagram from a family holiday in Gråsten back in 2020 - when Isabella was just 13 years old

The 53-year-old has even dipped into her daughter's wardrobe once wearing one of the princess's purple double-breasted coat by Dolce & Gabbana

Princess Isabella of Denmark borrowed her mother's Max Mara three-piece suit for her confirmation in 2022

Not only has Mary worn the popular shoes on various occasions since 2022, they have also been seen on the feet of other royals including Meghan Markle and Princess Beatrice. 

Isabella has often been snapped in her mother's clothes, most notably at her 2022 confirmation where she donned Mary's Max Mara three-piece pantsuit. 

The then-Crown Princess Mary wore the outfit in May 2017 during a visit to Stockholm, and again in May 2019 in South Korea. 

She has even dipped into her daughter's wardrobe once too - wearing one of the princess's purple double-breasted coat by Dolce & Gabbana. 

PRINCESS LEONOR AND QUEEN LETIZIA OF SPAIN 

Spain's Princess Leonor looked radiant in the Desigual x Stella Jean Ruffle midi dress in August 2025. Her mother Queen Letizia first wore the dress in 2023 

Princess Leonor has regularly sported her mother Queen Letizia of Spain's outfits and accessories during the royal family's summer outings.

She previously looked radiant in the Desigual x Stella Jean Ruffle midi dress at a traditional reception at Marivent Palace on the Balearic Islands on August 5, 2025, where the family spend their summer holidays. 

The wife of King Felipe first wore the flowing blue and white patterned frock at the same event back in 2023.

Leonor opted for a more casual look a few day previous when she visited the Palma Yacht Club in Palma de Mallorca - and accessorised with one of her mother's favourite pair of earrings. 

The princess wore a pair of CXC E0076  gold earrings donned by Letizia on numerous occasions.

Letizia opted for the simple gold earrings at the Spanish Red Cross Gold Medals and CaixaForum in 2022 as well as the opening of the first Casa del Libro bookshop in Madrid in 2023. 

PRINCESS INGRID ALEXANDER AND CROWN PRINCESS METTE-MARIT OF NORWAY 

In April 2025, the heir to the throne made a dazzling debut at her first state banquet in a sky blue ruffled gown Mette-Marit's wore for Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel of Sweden's wedding in 2010 

For her 18th birthday, the princess wore Mette-Marit's Lanvin Spring 2004 Black Silk Dress which her mother donned at a concert 21 years ago

Princess Ingrid Alexandra is a big fan of her mother's vintage wardrobe and has worn an array of her stunning designer gowns from the early 2000s in recent years.

In April 2025, the heir to the throne made a dazzling debut at her first state banquet in a sky blue ruffled gown Queen Mette-Marit's wore for Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel of Sweden's wedding in 2010. 

For her 18th birthday, the princess wore Mette-Marit's Lanvin Spring 2004 Black Silk Dress which her mother donned at a concert 21 years ago. 

That same year Ingrid Alexandra also took another leaf out of her mother's styling book opting for a purple Alberta Ferrtti gown Mette Marit wore in 2005. 

PRINCESS CHARLOTTE AND THE PRINCESS OF WALES 

Young Princess Charlotte isn't quite at the age where she is able to share clothes with her notoriously stylish mother, The Princess of Wales - but there have been signs she's already started raiding her closet. 

On Father's Day 2025, the family shared a sweet snap of Prince William with his three children Charlotte, Prince George and Prince Louis. 

Eagle-eyed fans were quick to notice the princess wearing her mother's dark navy and green checked scarf. 

Kate kept warm in the same scarf in December 2024 while at the Christmas Morning Service at Sandringham Church. 

Young Princess Charlotte isn't quite at the age where she is able to share clothes with her notoriously stylish mother, Kate, but there have been signs she's already started raiding her closet. Pictured in December 2024 at Sandringham with her mother 

On Father's Day 2025, the family shared a sweet snap of Prince William with his three children Charlotte, Prince George and Prince Louis 

LADY LOUISE WINDSOR AND SOPHIE, DUCHESS OF EDINBURGH 

During a visit to Birmingham in 2022 for the Commonwealth Games, Lady Louise wore a £985 Peter Pilotto gown from her mother's wardrobe and paired it with a pair of classic white trainers.

The number was first worn by the Duchess of Edinburgh, 58, to the Chelsea Flower Show in May 2015 in London.

For the 2019 Christmas Day service at St Mary Magdalene's Church at Sandringham, the royal wore a Stella McCartney coat owned by her mother.

The Marcelline checkered coat was worn by the then-Countess of Wessex on New Year's Eve to attend church on the Sandringham estate in 2017.

In the past, Lady Louise has too borrowed a classic monochrome dress by Alaïa for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's wedding in 2018.

Sophie had also appeared in the same grey and white skater dress in 2016 at The Patron's Lunch, a celebration connected with Queen Elizabeth's 90th birthday.

During a visit to Birmingham in 2023 for the Commonwealth Games, Lady Louise wore a £985 Peter Pilotto gown from her mother's wardrobe and paired it with a pair of classic white trainers

For the 2019 Christmas Day service at Sandringham, the royal (left) wore a Stella McCartney coat owned by her mother (right)

Louise also borrowed a classic monochrome dress by Alaïa for the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's wedding in 2018 (left), first worn by her mother in 2016 (right)

Sophie's Roland Mouret coat appears to be in pristine condition - even though Lady Louise has waited four years to wear it 

PRINCESS ALEXANDRA OF HANOVER AND PRINCESS CAROLINE OF MONACO 

Princess Alexandra of Hanover made headlines in 2024 when she attended the Chanel Haute Couture spring/summer 2024 show, wearing a little black dress brimming with history.

The monochrome tweed mini had been worn by her mother, Princess Caroline of Monaco, back in 1990.

Originating from the autumn/winter 1990 couture collection, the frock incorporated a contrasting collar, scalloped stitching and double-breasted front, featuring buttons painted with a silhouette of Coco Chanel.

Princess Alexandra of Hanover (left) made headlines in 2024 when she attended the Chanel Haute Couture spring/summer 2024 show, wearing a little black dress brimming with history

PRINCESS ESTELLE AND CROWN PRINCESS VICTORIA OF SWEDEN

Princess Estelle of Sweden, who is second in line to the Swedish throne, in 2023 stepped out wearing a green gown previously worn by her mother, Crown Princess Victoria.

The then 11-year-old wore the H&M Conscious Collection gown in green tulle, to Drottningholm Palace Theatre for a jubilee performance in honour of her maternal grandfather, King Carl XVI Gustaf.

The dress was an altered version of the same gown that her mother wore to the Swedish Chamber of Commerce gala dinner in June 2022 in Amsterdam. 

Estelle paired it with a suite of jewels set with diamonds and peridots along with metallic flats.

Princess Estelle and Prince Oscar of Sweden attend the Jubilee performance of the Royal Opera at Drottningholm Palace Theatre, on September 14

Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden at the Swedish Chamber of Commerce gala dinner in June 2022

CROWN PRINCESS VICTORIA AND QUEEN SILVIA OF SWEDEN 

Not only does Crown Princess Victoria hand down her dresses to her daughter, but she has raided her own mother's wardrobe in the past.

The royal wore a vintage Nina Ricci piece for the Nobel Prize banquet at City Hall in Stockholm in December 2018.

It was first seen on Queen Silvia at the 1995 Nobel Prize banquet event in Stockholm.

Another family ensemble for Victoria included a yellow outfit worn to a seminar in Stockholm in 2017, 39 years after her mother Silvia donned the same look during a visit to Moscow in June 1978. 

The Crown Princess wore the striped yellow dress but decided not to include the matching hat seen when her mother wore.

Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden attends the Nobel Prize Banquet at Sweden City Hall in December 2018

Queen Silvia of Sweden - the mirror image of her daughter - pictured at the 1995 Nobel Prize banquet event in Stockholm

Another hand-me-down ensemble for Victoria: a yellow outfit worn to a seminar in Stockholm in 2017

Her mother, Queen Silvia, wore the dress in Moscow in 1978. Sharing dress styles appears to be a tradition

PRINCESS ALEXIA AND QUEEN MAXIMA OF THE NETHERLANDS 

Princess Alexia of the Netherlands proved she has inherited her mother Queen Máxima's sense of style as she carried out her first solo engagement two years ago.

The royal, who is second in line to the Dutch throne behind her sister Princess Catharina-Amalia, opted for an elegant navy midi dress as she launched the ship Vox Alexia in Rotterdam.

The Oscar de la Renta number featured cut-out details on the shoulders, a billowing skirt and white and blue ruffles along the long sleeves.

The dress was first worn by her mother, Maxima, in June 2019 at the Global Entrepreneurship Summit in The Hague, Netherlands. 

Princess Alexia, Christening of the suction dredger Vox Alexia in Rotterdam on September 9 in 2023

Queen Maxima of The Netherlands at the Global Entrepreneurship Summit in the World Forum, The Hague, Netherlands, in June 2019

QUEEN ELIZABETH II AND PRINCESS ANNE

The Princess Royal paid homage to her mother as she sported Queen Elizabeth II's purple checked coat in February 2024. 

Carrying out royal engagements in Nottingham, Anne paired the coat with a corresponding violet dress and knee-high boots from Fairfax and Favor.

In 2006, the Queen wore the coat as she embarked on the Hebridean Princess at Port Ellen, Scotland, for a week-long cruise around the Western Isles with her family to celebrate her 80th birthday.

It was a poignant decision by Anne to keep her late mother close, amid a turbulent time for the royals after King Charles' cancer diagnosis.

Princess Anne wore her mother's purple check coat in February 2024

PRINCESS CAROLINE OF MONACO AND CHARLOTTE CASIRAGHI

Princess Alexandra of Hanover's half-sister, Charlotte Casiraghi, is also known to raid her mother's wardrobe. 

For the 2017 Rose Ball in Monte-Carlo, Monaco, Charlotte selected another stunning Chanel dress belonging to Princess Caroline.

Hailing from the autumn/winter 1996 couture collection, the semi-sheer design incorporated a plunging V-neckline and figure-skimming silhouette.

This dress was a favourite of Caroline's, who has worn it on at least three occasions, including Monaco National Day in 1996 and the Nijinsky Award Winners Event in 2000.

Charlotte Casiraghi borrowed her mother's dress 17 years after Caroline of Monaco wore it 

QUEEN MAXIMA OF THE NETHERLANDS AND PRINCESS CATHARINA-AMALIA

Princess Catharina-Amalia of the Netherlands made a sartorial statement at a state banquet in December 2024.

For the occasion, she dazzled in a lavender sequined gown by Japanese designer Tadashi Shoji. The dress featured a striking sweetheart neckline and dramatic cape - an emerging style signature for the Princess. 

The highlight of her ensemble, however, was the Dutch Star Tiara. A true masterpiece, it combines elements from various royal tiaras passed down through generations.

Her mother, Queen Maxima, created the design for her wedding in 2002 by customising a diamond festoon base from the Pearl Button Tiara, replacing the pearl accents with sparkling diamond stars.

Queen Maxima created the Dutch Star Tiara for her wedding in 2002 by customising a diamond festoon base from the Pearl Button Tiara, replacing the pearl accents with sparkling diamond stars

THE PRINCESS OF WALES AND CAROLE MIDDLETON 

The Princess of Wales first wore the £139 Trina from Reiss when she gave her first public speech at The Treehouse children's hospice in Ipswich, Suffolk, in 2012. She accessorised the dress with a thick black belt.

Her mother, Carole Middleton, had been spotted wearing the same ensemble to Royal Ascot in 2010 - with the addition of a fascinator.

Kate, Princess of Wales, makes her first official speech as a member of the royal family at The Treehouse children's hospice in Ipswich in March 2012

The Princess' mother, Carole Middleton, enjoys a day out at Royal Ascot in 2010