How ME+EM has become a style weapon of the royals

When she walked inside Number 10 Downing Street alongside her husband after his election victory this month, Lady Victoria Starmer was following a rapidly blossoming fashion trend.

For she was wearing a stunning £275 red frock by ME+EM that quickly sold out.

But as well as having attracted the eye of Sir Keir Starmer‘s wife, ME+M is fast becoming a secret style weapon of the royals.  

This was spectacularly highlighted when Queen Mary of Denmark and Zara Tindall were seen wearing the same dress just a day apart this month.

This double royal endorsement is not an isolated incident, the Duchess of Edinburgh is another ardent admirer of ME+EM and boasts an impressive collection of 21 dresses from the brand.

As we reveal below, other royals including Zara Tindall, the Princess of Wales and her mother Carole Middleton and Meghan Markle have also sported the firm’s designs.  

The Princess of Wales was pretty in a pink ME+EM shirt dress for her outing at the Chelsea Flower Show last year.

Kate, who had previously worn the outfit two years earlier, paired the belted, button front frock with her much-loved Castañer espadrille wedges and Zoraida leaf earrings.

ME+EM, which was founded by Clare Hornby in 2009, believes in ‘intelligent style for intelligent women’.

It’s not hard to see why the label has positioned itself as a royal go-to. Its hard-working clothes side-step trends for pieces that will stand the test of time. 

Both fashionable and functional, with meticulous attention to detail, ME+EM flatters silhouettes with luxurious fabrics for a timeless appeal, whether it’s a tailored dress for a formal event or a more relaxed piece for daytime outings.

Carole Middleton – Royal Ascot, 2022

Stepping out at Royal Ascot in 2022,Carole opted for the same pink pleated ME+EM dress that Kate had worn the year before – prompting speculation she had borrowed it from her daughter. 

She paired it with a black clutch bag and fascinator for a contrasting combination.

Queen Mary of Denmark – Gråsten Castle, 2024

Nothing screams summer quite like a floaty floral dress, a sunhat and wedges.

Queen Mary of Denmark’s latest outfit combined all three for an effortless elegant look. 

Mary teamed her ME+EM floral dress with a panama hat by Canopy Bay and beige suede wedges from Tod’s as she arrived at her summer residence Gråsten Castle earlier this month.

Zara Tindall, Wimbledon 2024

The day after Queen Mary’s outing, Zara Tindall chose the same dress for her outing at Wimbledon alongside her husband Mike. 

Zara however layered hers under a blazer from The Fold and accessorised with an Anya Hindmarch clutch and Saint Laurent espadrille wedges.

Carole Middleton – Wimbledon, 2024

Carole Middleton was blooming in a now sold-out floral ME+EM dress for her Wimbledon outing a few days ago.

She layered a check blazer from the same brand over the top and added Emmy pumps, a straw tote and Zan Zan tortoiseshell sunglasses to complete the summery ensemble.

Harriet Sperling – Wimbledon, 2024

For her appearance alongside her new royal boyfriend Peter Phillips at Wimbledon, Harriet Sperling chose a delicate ME+EM floral frock.  

The paediatric specialist nurse accessorised the ruffled midi dress with block heels from Russell and Bromley and Finlay & Co sunglasses for a royally approved ensemble.

Duchess of Edinburgh – Royal Windsor Flower Show, 2024

The Duchess of Edinburgh is known for her fashionable wardrobe and she proved this again by choosing to wear a printed green ME+EM dress at the Royal Windsor Flower Show last month. 

The instant sell-out floral midi dress was covered in daisies, making it the perfect match to wear as she teamed up with Alan Titchmarsh and Dame Mary Berry for the event.

Princess Beatrice – St Tropez, 2023

Tanned Princess Beatrice glowed in a rose print ME+EM dress with a flirty 50s-style skirt while holidaying in St Tropez last July. 

The retro design boasted a cinched waist and puff sleeves and was teamed with her monogrammed Anya Hindmarch raffia clutch and Chanel ballet pumps.

Princess Beatrice – Soho Hotel, 2024

Attending a book launch in London in April, Princess Beatrice opted to recycle a ME+EM dress she wore last summer. 

The watercolour floral-print short swing dress was dressed up for the evening with a pair of burgundy Jimmy Choo velvet pumps giving it a glamorous edge.

Pippa Middleton – Party at the Palace, 2022

Pippa Middleton went for a casual look at the Queen’s Platinum Party at the Palace in 2022.

She was dressed in an emerald ME+EM gown with delicate jewellery and minimal makeup.

Kate’s sister polished off the laid-back outfit with a head of highlighted beachy waves.

Duchess of Sussex – International Women’s Day, 2020

For her final solo royal engagement in 2020, Meghan Markle chose a cream jacket by ME+EM as she visited a school in Essex ahead of International Women’s Day.

The boucle jacket added a softness to the business chic look of Alexander McQueen trousers and Jennifer Chamandi pumps.

Lady Frederick Windsor – Wimbledon, 2024

Sophie Winkleman stunned in white as she and her husband Lord Frederick Windsor arrived at Wimbledon this year. 

Sticking with the Wimbledon whites dress code, she opted for a white cheesecloth gathered maxi dress from ME+EM and paired her look with espadrille sandals from Stuart Weitzman.

Flora Vesterberg – Boston, 2023

Stylishly modern in monochrome, Flora Vesterberg proved that the key to chic dressing is keeping accessories simple when she stepped out in Boston last year.

She teamed her ME+EM fit and flare two-tone frock with classic black pumps, sunglasses and a mini bag. 

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