In pictures: Halloween costume ideas inspired by the royals

The royals sure know how to dress up!
Emily Towers

Need some last minute Halloween costume inspiration – maybe inspired by the royals? Look no further, as the royals have worn a string of fun fancy dress!

Halloween costumes inspired by the royals

In her younger years, Queen Elizabeth II (then princess), alongside her sister Princess Margaret, loved to dress up for an array of productions and plays.

From Old Mother Riding Boots to Cinderella, the future queen loved to get dressed up and perform.

Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret wearing Aladdin themed costume
Then-Princess Elizabeth dressed as Aladdin (Credit: Shutterstock)

Queen Elizabeth’s Aladdin outfit

The image below, taken in 1943, shows Princess Margaret and Princess Elizabeth ready for a production of “Aladdin” at Windsor Castle.

A young Prince William and Prince Harry also followed in their grandmother’s footsteps when it came to costumes. In fact, when they were children they loved to get dressed up in army outfits or police officer costumes.

Prince Harry’s iconic pixie outfit

In this adorable snap of a young Prince Harry, taken in 1987, the future Duke of Sussex can be seen dressed up as a pixie for a Christmas play. Other reports claim Harry’s role was a red goblin.

Either way, the outfit was very festive!

Young Prince Harry dressed as a red goblin
Princess Harry played a pixie in a seasonal play (Credit: Carraro/Beirne/Shutterstoc)

Of course, dressing up is even more fun when it is done with family and friends.

In this shot, taken the same year, a proud Princess Diana can be seen posing alongside William and Harry who perched on a British Transport Police motorbike and rocked their own police officer costumes.

How fun!

PRINCESS DIANA WITH PRINCE WILLIAM AND PRINCE HARRY. AT BRITISH TRANSPORT POLICE 1987, Prince William and Harry are dressed up as police officers and perched on a motorbike beside Diana
Princess Diana looked very proud as her two boys dressed up as police officers (Credit: Shutterstock)

Prince Edward’s Shakespearean ensemble

Other members of the royal family have also worn elaborate outfits in the name of theatre.

Like when Prince Edward donned striking red tights whilst performing at the dress rehearsal of In The Taming Of The Shrew.

After leaving the military service, Edward pursued a very different career and had a strong passion for acting.

PRINCE EDWARD ACTING IN THE PLAY 'THE TAMING OF THE SHREW', HADDO HOUSE, SCOTLAND, BRITAIN - 1985
Prince Edward loved to act (Credit: Shutterstock)

His costume must have paid off, as he even went on to work for Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Really Useful Theatre Company, where he worked as a production assistant.

Acting must be a quiet but shared love amongst The Firm as even Prince Harry had a penchant for getting on stage, as depicted in this image of him grinning whilst dressed up as Conrade in an Eton College production of Much Ado about Nothing.

King Charles has also been known to enjoy a bit of fancy dress over the years.

Charles and Diana’s matching period outfits

In 1983, he even sported themed costume with Princess Diana.

During the official Canadian Royal tour in June and July 1983, Charles and Diana visited Edmonton, Alberta.

To mark Diana’s 22nd birthday, they were invited as guests of honour at an evening barbecue at the historic recreation of Fort Edmonton.

Prince Charles and Princess Diana at a Klondike period gala event British Royal Tour of Canada - 1983
Charles and Diana wore themed outfits (Credit: John Shelley/Shutterstock)

The invitation requested they dress up in “semi-formal, Klondike era” outfits, in reference to the annual celebration in Edmonton of the 1898 Klondike Gold Rush.

Charles and Diana definitely made an effort for the occasion. The then-Prince of Wales wore 19th century formal wear, whilst Princess Diana stunned in a pale pink, 1880’s period day dress and hat.

The couple reportedly described the event as “undoubtedly the highlight of their 18-day tour”.

Princess Beatrice’s Queen Victoria inspired outfit

The throwback dress appears to be a hit with the royals as Princess Beatrice looked over the moon as she dressed up in a period gown whilst acting on set of the 2009 film, Young Victoria.

Beatrice looked radiant in the flowing white gown, embroidered with pink flowers, as she played a lady-in-waiting.

Princess Beatrice in costume on the film set of "Young Victoria" being filmed at Lincoln Cathedral in Lincoln, UK. In the film, Princess Beatrice plays an attendant at Queen Victoria's coronation.
Princess Beatrice has been compared to Queen Victoria (Credit: Goff/INFphoto.com)

The princess has even been compared to a young Queen Victoria, as some fans think they boast a resemblance.

Princess Beatrice’s iconic cat costume

Princess Beatrice also rocked an iconic Halloween outfit in 2016, where she dressed up in a cat costume for the UNICEF UK Halloween Ball.

Princess Beatrice in a white wig and a cat mask
Princess Beatrice dressed as a cat in 2016 (Credit: David Fisher/Shutterstock)

If you fancy dressing up as something a little more simple, Meghan Markle and Princess Kate have some seasonal ensembles in their wardrobes that you can take inspiration from.

Meghan Markle’s pumpkin-head outfit

On her previous Instagram page, before she was married to Prince Harry, Meghan shared this amazing snap of herself rocking a pumpkin head.

Meghan Markle wearing a light up pumpkin head
Meghan Markle got very festive on Instagram back in the day (Credit: SplashNews.com / Meghan Markle)

It is simple but effective and makes for a wonderfully spooky snap!

Kate Middleton’s vampy outfit

Kate Middleton has also been known to dress up in eye-catching outfits for nights out in her younger years.

Kate Middleton rocking a colourful sequinned outfit
Kate Middleton looked great in sequins (Credit: SplashNews.com)

Once she dressed up in a funky, sequinned outfit and rocked rollerblades. On another occasion she opted for a vampy look with a minidress, fishnets and a cloak.

Kate Middleton dressed as a vampire in 2007
Kate Middleton was often snapped on nights out in her younger years (Credit: Shutterstock)

Charles and Camilla’s masquerade masks

Although the royals don’t officially mark Halloween and they have only been seen in fancy dress on rare occasions, the king and queen have been known to wear masks for special parties.

Then-Prince Charles and Camilla looked amused in snaps at the June 2019 Elephant Family Animal Ball at Clarence House, where they posed with sequinned animal masks.

Queen Camilla and King Charles wearing black sequinned masks
The king and queen looked very happy with their masks (Credit: Shutterstock)

Princess Kate is said to take Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis out trick or treating on Halloween. So maybe we will get even more Halloween costume inspo from the royals this year!

Happy Halloween!

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So, what do you think of these royal Halloween costumes? Which is your favourite? Leave your thoughts on our Facebook page @RoyalInsider