Iconic Royal Appearances in Met Gala History

Themed “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line Of Beauty,” Talita von Fürstenberg, granddaughter of designer Diane von Fürstenberg and Prince Egon von Fürstenberg, wore a black gala dress made of tulle layers and white camellias. She was accompanied by her partner, the aristocrat and businessman Rocco Brignone.

Under the Karl Lagerfeld theme, Charlotte Casiraghi honored the late Kaiser of fashion, who was a close friend of her mother, Princess Caroline. She wore a Chanel Haute Couture black lace lingerie-style dress with bows, which HOLA! readers voted as one of the best looks of the night.

During the 2022 gala, Talita von Fürstenberg embodied the “Gilded Glamour” theme in a gradient design transitioning from forest green to aged gold, representing the American era of 1870-1890. The look was noted for hand-embroidered opera gloves with gold-dipped tips and shimmering details in her hair.

In 2021, for “In America: A Lexicon Of Fashion,” she chose a Greek-inspired, vibrant gold dress designed by her grandmother, featuring a V-neckline and a pleated skirt reminiscent of the designs that launched Diane von Fürstenberg’s career.

Charlotte Casiraghi interpreted the 2019 “Camp: Notes on Fashion” theme with a sequined black Saint Laurent gown featuring a “tail hem” that was short in front and cascaded into a long train behind. She paired the look with smoky eye makeup for added drama.

Talita von Fürstenberg also attended in 2019, wearing a semi-transparent pink dress adorned with 3D floral appliqués and a matching flower crown, a look described as “channeling Eve.”

In 2018, Princess Beatrice of York made a rare appearance for the “Heavenly Bodies” theme, wearing a violet-blue Alberta Ferretti dress with sheer sleeves and a golden headpiece.

In 2018, Charlotte Casiraghi, the princess, arrived alongside Anthony Vaccarello, Saint Laurent’s creative director, following Hedi Slimane’s departure a year prior. Having been named the brand’s ambassador for the Fall/Winter 2018 collection, it was only fitting that Casiraghi attended on the creator’s arm. She donned a black leather mini dress featuring metallic star accents and an asymmetrical neckline that revealed a single shoulder, paired with chunky platform booties, a look that perfectly showcased the effortless, rock-and-roll edge that defines so much of her style

Talita von Fürstenberg wore her “Cinderella” dress, a design titled Ave Maria made from 350 meters of pale blue tulle and Swarovski crystals, accessorized with her grandmother’s personal jewelry.

In 2017, Elisabeth von Thurn und Taxis, known as the “Princess Dynamite,”  for her rebellious attitude and striking looks, last attended the celebration in 2017, where the exhibition paid tribute to the iconic Japanese designer Rei Kawakubo (Comme Des Garçons), wearing a pink trench-coat style dress with three-dimensional floral appliqués and red pumps with ribbons on the instep.

Talita von Fürstenberg made her official debut in a sleek asymmetrical black mermaid gown from the family brand. So she began immersing herself in the fashion industry from a very young age. After starring on numerous magazine covers and building a legion of followers on social media, she has established herself as one of the new “blue-blooded” influencers.

Queen Rania of Jordan made her only appearance in 2016 for the “Manus x Machina” theme, wearing a Valentino black tulle and gold feather dress designed to look like a phoenix.

Before Chanel and before Saint Laurent, the daughter of Caroline of Monaco attended for the first time as the companion of Gucci’s then-creative director, Alessandro Michele, wearing one of his eye-catching designs featuring cascading chiffon ruffles in shades of pink, orange, and yellow with metallic lace trim.

Princess Olympia, daughter of Pavlos and Marie-Chantal of Greece, was one of Balmain’s muses for the “Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology” edition. Respecting the aesthetic dictated by the invitation, she followed the maximalist trends that Olivier Rousteing was setting at that time from the creative direction of the French house. The Greek royal caused a stir with her metallic brocade look, which she complemented with daring over-the-knee boots.

Elisabeth von Thurn und Taxis chose a futuristic look for “Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology” edition with a velvet bow, gold sleeves, and a feathered headpiece.

In 2012, for “Impossible Conversations”, Beatrice Borromeo attended in a strapless Valentino gown with floral brocades, appearing alongside Elisabeth von Thurn und Taxis and Chantal Olympia Dellal.

The first gala on the steps of the New York museum for the wife of Abdullah II took place more than 15 years ago. On the night that paid tribute to Paul Poiret with the exhibition Poiret: King of Fashion, Rania attended, accompanied and dressed by Giambattista Valli in a gown reminiscent of the creations with which the French couturier freed women from the corset at the beginning of the century, without abandoning the female silhouette.  

Attended for “Jacqueline Kennedy: The White House Years,” wearing an asymmetrical aquamarine Valentino caftan with Oriental influences.

 In 1997, Alexandra von Fürstenberg and her mother-in-law Diane appeared together in minimalist nineties silhouettes for the Gianni Versace exhibition. United by their passion for fashion, they opted for refined silhouettes that captured the essence of nineties chic minimalism. An iconic image captured by Ron Galella reflects the style legacy of a prominent New York high society family on the steps of the MET.

The most legendary royal appearance remains that of Diana, Princess of Wales, in 1996. Attending just three months after her divorce from Prince Charles became official, she wore a midnight blue lingerie-inspired dress by John Galliano for Dior. She paired it with a Lady Dior bag, named in her honor, and her famous seven-strand pearl choker featuring a massive sapphire that originally belonged to the Queen Mother.