British Vogue has unveiled its first ever 50 Best Dressed List, a landmark celebration of the figures who have defined and elevated British style over the past year. Topping the cultural conversation is the Princess of Wales, whose stylish heritage-led wardrobe and meticulous approach to dressing have cemented her as one of the nation’s most influential fashion forces.
Her place on the list feels inevitable; Catherine’s blend of modern trends and traditions has set a new benchmark for royal style in 2025. She appears alongside fellow “Eternal Influencers” Alexa Chung, Sienna Miller, Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell and Victoria Beckham – a group whose collective impact on British fashion spans decades.
But one omission stands out. Meghan Markle, despite a year of tightly curated appearances and a determined attempt to reassert her fashion credentials – including a heavily publicised Paris Fashion Week appearance, failed to secure a spot.
The Duchess of Sussex lost out to names such as Wicked star Cynthia Erivo, actress Keira Knightley and national treasure Mary Berry, marking a noticeable absence from a list that celebrates the biggest style influencers of the year.
For Meghan, 44, who has worked hard to re-establish her brand in the style world, being omitted from such a significant list will not go unnoticed. This is, after all, one of British fashion’s biggest honours.
Meanwhile, Princess Catherine’s, 43, inclusion comes under an elite group whose impact on British style remains constant and culturally defining.
It is a fitting placement for Catherine, whose polished wardrobe has made her one of the most consistently influential dressers of her generation.
Her presence alongside Lady Beckham feels especially fitting. The Princess of Wales often turns to Beckham’s label for sleek tailoring and elegant dresses.
Catherine even stepped out earlier this year in a head-to-toe VB look, widely interpreted as a subtle show of support for the designer’s hit Netflix series.
For British Vogue, this list marks a new benchmark in recognising the figures who shape how the nation dresses.
It also reinforces how firmly Princess Catherine now stands at the centre of Britain’s modern fashion identity, while Meghan, notably absent, remains on the outside looking in.
This also highlights a shifting sartorial landscape within the monarchy, revealing whose influence is rising and whose style narrative is struggling to keep pace.
