Pink is having a fashion moment, with rosy tones of the hue taking over the S/S catwalks – and the message certainly hasn’t gone unheard by royals, with princesses and queens stepping out in the shade.
Stephen Sheldon, a stylist at Luxury Legs, told FEMAIL: ‘It is absolutely an empowering colour, and that’s because it’s the colour of love and kindness – two words that have helped shape modern 21st-century society.’
When it comes to royals donning the colour, notably, Kate Middleton, 41, sported not one, but two pink outfits for recent engagements. The Princess of Wales donned a bright pink ME + EM dress to hold a children’s picnic at the Chelsea Flower Show last week.
Then several days later, the royal was back in the pink, as she opted for a two-piece trouser suit while visiting Kinship Carers at Saint Pancras Community Association in London.
The same day, Queen Maxima of the Netherlands was also snapped stepping out in a co-ord, wearing bright pink on a working visit to NXP Semiconductors in Nijmegen.
The Princess of Wales (pictured) stepped out in a two-piece pink trouser suit during a visit to Kinship Carers at Saint Pancras Community Association in London
Elsewhere, Queen Letizia of Spain also got in on the rosy action, wearing a soft pink shirt to attend the confirmation of Princess Sofia of Spain in Aravaca.
The younger royal opted for a pink palette too, donning a fuchsia two-piece, as she made the public appearance.
According to Sibel Sevcan, Fashion Trend Expert and Belissh founder, there are several reasons the tone is having a moment.
She told FEMAIL: ‘The recent explosion of hot pink as a popular outfit and accessories colour of choice, is certainly being fuelled by the frenzy building around the upcoming Barbie film release (out in July).
‘It was also a central theme at fashion week with Valentino’s Pink PP A/W23 collection which had a significant influence on this season’s looks.’
She cited Marilyn Monroe’s iconic shocking pink dress in ‘Gentlemen Prefer Blondes’ as the look that started the vibrant pink trend, noting that the shade ‘oozes confidence and femininity’.
However, said Sibel, the royals may be opting to don the hue for other reasons, noting that ‘for Gen Z, pink now symbolises a new desire to express femininity boldly and without limitations or stereotypes’.
This is something stylist Rochelle White agrees with, telling FEMAIL: ‘The colour pink is empowering, pretty, flattering and tough.
Kate’s two-piece suit came hot on the heels of this ME + EM frock, which she sported while attending the Chelsea Flower Show several days earlier
Confident: Queen Maxima of the Netherlands has been described as looking ‘confident and comfortable’ in the pink ensembles she wears
‘It’s a colour that suits many skin tones as well as genders. From nudes to neons, pink is a colour that can be suitable for many and any occasions.’
Describing Kate’s ME+EM dress in particular, Rochelle said the hue could be representative of many factors.
Noting that the frock is a re-wear for the royal, Rochelle noted that the ‘pop of colour’ is appropriate for the fresh, horticultural setting of the flower show.
‘I also feel this could be an acknowledgement of showing how strong she is and that she can take on anything,’ she added.
Rochelle continued: ‘I feel that there has been a shift in the Royal Family, and [as] Kate’s duties and appearances have increased, she is more than likely more comfortable in who she is, her role and the outfits she wears.
‘I feel she knows that all eyes are on her and the fact that she is classed as a fashion icon and trendsetter. People are inspired by her looks and maybe she is using that to her advantage.’
Describing this brighter pink hue, Sibel Sevcan said: ‘The Barbicore or hot pink trend clearly makes a statement of self confidence and female empowerment. It transcends fashion trends and becomes a powerful statement of self-expression by itself.
Pretty in pink: Queen Letizia of Spain (pictured, left) and Princess Sofia (pictured, right) both opted for pink for the younger royal’s recent confirmation – but chose very different shades
‘Through embracing pink individuals reclaim their right to define and celebrate their own version of femininity.’
This, according to Rochelle, was evident in the bold tone chosen by Maxima. She explained: ‘I feel she is confident and comfortable in her looks when it comes to pink.
‘I have noticed that she tends to wear similar shades of pinks and that shows me, she knows what shades work and compliment her.
‘With a lot of eyes on her, I feel she likes to stand out and make a statement with what she wears. It makes a lasting impression and is quite unique for a queen to be seen in bright pink, [these are] statement pieces.’
And this confidence could be behind Princess Sofia’s choice to wear the hue, according to Rochelle, who said of her confirmation outfit: ‘I feel this is a bold statement.
‘Being able to wear pink especially in bright colours shows her confidence in who she is as a person and who she is becoming.’
When it comes to some of the softer tones, Rochelle pointed out that pink can be very wearable.
Describing Queen Letizia’s ensemble, she said: ‘This is a colour that suits any demographic. There are so many shades of pink that work really well for all ages and all skin tones in my opinion.’
And Kate used the wearability of softer pink well, according to Rochelle, who described the royal’s two-piece trouser suit as powerful, but subtly so.
She said: ‘Kate’s outfit here [gives] smart and professional vibes. I feel this is a more formal outfit, but with a subtle and powerful statement due to the colour.
‘She has teamed it with white and simple jewellery such as pearls. So, it provides a more tailored put together look, compared to if it was teamed with white trainers, which would make it more casual.’
While the colour is certainly on trend, it certainly doesn’t appear to be a passing fad, with multiple fashion experts convinced the shade is here to stay.
According to Sibel Sevcan: ‘Whether you are a pink lover or a hater, its new place in culture, is what makes it highly attractive as an outfit colour of choice – and young people all around the world are embracing the trend for that very reason.’
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