Meet Jacqui Meakin, the royal stylist who dressed the Queen Mother – she has also helped shape Queen Camilla’s image with smart fashion choices, and enforced what colours Kate Middleton and other royals wear

Apr 22 , 2025

Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, in shades of blue as she arrives for the Windsor Castle Christmas service in 2021. Photo: AFP

Meakin began working with the queen after her engagement to King Charles, using clothes to shape her public image – she’s had to lay down the law about how and when the royal women can wear blue

When Prince Charles, as he was, revealed his relationship with Camilla Parker Bowles, the world was stunned. She quickly became known as “The Other Woman” and every move she made was met with intense scrutiny. But over the years, public sentiment began to shift, especially after the pair married and she was integrated fully into “The Firm”.

According to Statista, as of February, 45 per cent of the British public had a positive opinion of Camilla. This marks an increase from October 2019, when just 40 per cent of the population viewed the Queen Consort positively, although it’s down from a peak of 55 per cent in September 2022.

While her public engagements, particularly around literacy and domestic violence, have certainly played a role in this shift in sentiment, her outfits have undoubtedly had an impact too. Her sartorial choices have been shaped by long-time stylist Jacqui Meakin. But who is the woman who has helped change public opinion about the queen with her fashion choices?

She dressed the Queen Mother

Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, marks her 100th birthday at a public event in Dover, England, in 2000. Photo: Getty Images

Jacqui Meakin began working for the royal family as a dresser for the Queen Mother, creating an instantly recognisable monochrome style for the matriarch. Known for her love of fashion, the Queen Mother often wore head-to-toe pastels (bolder colours were for cooler weather) accessorised with pearls and a matching hat.

After she passed away in 2002, Meakin began dressing Queen Elizabeth. Then in 2005, when Charles and Camilla became engaged, Meakin was given the urgent task of helping the soon-to-be Duchess of Cornwall refine her image – Camilla’s wardrobe at the time was largely made up of sweaters and riding pants, reported the New York Post.

She helped Camilla pick her wedding dress

Charles, then Prince of Wales and wife Camilla, the then newly minted Duchess of Cornwall, after their civil wedding at Windsor Guildhall, in 2005. Photo: Getty Images

Meakin’s first major task was designing Camilla’s wedding outfit. For the celebration, she collaborated with London designers Antonia Robinson and Anna Valentine, as widely reported. Together, they created a simple cream silk chiffon dress and coordinating coat, with a Philip Treacy hat, for the civil ceremony and a floor-length, embroidered pale blue and gold coat with matching chiffon dress for the religious service.

Since then, Meakin has continued to help Camilla navigate the delicate balance between her more relaxed style and the formal demands of royal dress codes. Camilla’s wardrobe now consists mostly of single-breasted jackets and coat dresses with elongated waists that avoid emphasising her figure, the New York Post adds.

Meakin has also introduced Camilla to more avant-garde designers such as the widely celebrated Vivienne Westwood, whose satin gown Camilla wore for the Royal Variety Performance in 2008.

Meet Jacqui Meakin, the royal stylist who dressed the Queen Mother – she has also helped shape Queen Camilla’s image with smart fashion choices, and enforced what colours Kate Middleton and other royals wear

Meakin began working with the queen after her engagement to King Charles, using clothes to shape her public image – she’s had to lay down the law about how and when the royal women can wear blue

She dressed the Queen Mother

She helped Camilla pick her wedding dress

She influences what other female royals wear