ComScore

12 Times the Royals Were Basically Walking Around in Gym Clothes

We love a good Gucci ball gown and Oscar de la Renta frock as much as the next princess...but there’s something so extremely satisfying about a workout-ready royal. News flash: They wear leggings as pants and look sorta schlubby in public, too! Here, 12 times the royals dressed down for the occasion.

kate middleton red coat
Max Mumby/Getty Images

When Kate Middleton Showed Off Her Competitive Side

The duchess raced William and Harry for London Marathon Training Day in February 2017. We're blaming her last place status on the fact that she was sprinting while wearing a fitted red puffer. (And we’re unclear why Will couldn’t change out of his button-down...)

Get the look: ASOS jacket ($35); Lululemon leggings ($118); Adidas sneakers ($85)

kate middleton white jacket track pants
Karwai Tang/Getty Images

And When She Kept It Casual For The Wimbledon Junior Tennis Initiative

The Duchess of Cambridge sported a white sports jacket and black and white leggings for the event in 2018, three months before giving birth to Prince Louis.

Get the look: PGA Tour jacket ($70); Adidas joggers ($45); Adidas sneakers ($85)

meghan markle leggings beige coat
Gotham/Getty Images

When Meghan Markle Taught Us The Royal Way To Wear Leggings

In NYC for her American baby shower, the duchess conducted a masterclass in athleisure when she left the Mark hotel wearing Lululemon leggings and an Ingrid & Isobel zip-up under a beige wool coat.

Get the look: Kristen Blake coat ($280); Ingrid & Isobel jacket ($88); Alo leggings ($82); APL sneakers ($200)

princess diana sweatshirt bike shorts
Anwar Hussein/Getty Images

When Princess Diana Wore Spandex For A Fitness Class

The people’s princess rocked bike shorts, a graphic sweatshirt and dad sneakers (three trends still going strong today) to a workout class in 1995. Though nowadays we might leave the slouched knee socks at home.

Get the look: Kenzo sweatshirt ($370); Beach Riot bike shorts ($66); FILA sneakers ($75)

pippa middleton jogging
Bauer-Griffin/Getty Images

When Pippa Middleton Jogged Along The River Thames In London

An “NYC” baseball cap? Nice try, Pippa.

Get the look: Puma jacket ($55); Zella pants ($65); Nike sneakers ($50); Ray-Ban sunglasses ($153); Yankees hat ($25)

pippa middleton grey top shorts
Chris Brunskill/Getty Images

And When She Ran A Triathlon For A Good Cause

Sorry, Kate. We stand corrected on the most athletic Middleton.

Get the look: Under Armour shorts ($25); Zella top ($25); New Balance sneakers ($80)

kate middleton crocs rowing
Indigo/Getty Images

When Kate Middleton Went Rowing For A Good Cause

Ladies and gents: Feast your eyes on the time the Duchess of Cambridge wore Crocs. (Still love ya, Your Highness.)

Get the look: Current/Elliot shirt ($168); Onzie leggings ($68); Crocs ($40)

princess beatrice tutu black leggings
Max Mumby/Getty Images

When Princess Beatrice Ran A Marathon In A Green Tutu And Leg Warmers

We think the queen would approve of the lime-green color coordination here.

Get the look: Zella leggings ($60); Adidas shirt ($45); Calvin Klein hat ($34); New Balance sneakers ($165)

meghan markle sydney harbor
Chris Jackson/Getty Images

When Meghan Dressed Down For A Boat Ride In Australia

Her Veja sneakers and puffy jacket were the only logical choice to sail around Sydney Harbor during her royal tour of Oceania last fall.

Get the look: North Face jacket ($80); Vince leggings ($285); Veja sneakers ($150)

sophie wessex biking
Max Mumby/Getty Images

When Sophie, Countess Of Wessex, Wore Neon Bike Shorts

The wife of Queen Elizabeth’s youngest son, Prince Edward, biked nearly 445 miles from Edinburgh to Buckingham Palace over seven days back in 2016. And who says royals are lazy?!

Get the look: Under Armour jacket ($55); Good American shorts ($75)

zara tindall riding horse nike
Lutz Bongarts/Getty Images

When Zara Tindall Wore Nike To Ride Horses

The queen’s eldest granddaughter is an Olympic-medaled equestrian...and this feels like a sponsorship ploy if we've ever seen one.

Get the look: Nike sweatshirt ($90); Hue leggings ($36)

queen elizabeth riding outfit
Anwar Hussein/Getty Images

But Nothing Beats Queen Elizabeth In...leggings?

Well, riding pants circa 1988. But, still. The avid equestrian probably wishes athleisure were an acceptable trend sooner.

Get the look: Versace scarf ($425); Topshop blazer ($125); Polo Ralph Lauren shirt ($49); Becken leggings ($495); Guess boots ($90)



Roberta Fiorito headshot 2
Roberta Fiorito

Senior Editor, Branded Content + Cohost, Royally Obsessed Podcast

In her 8 years at Gallery Media Group, Roberta has written about fashion, beauty, news, trends and the royal family. She is currently Senior Editor of Branded Content at...
read full bio