When we think of the royal family, tattoos aren't necessarily what springs to mind. They tend to have a strict protocol when it comes to appearance, from makeup and jewellery to nail polish colour and even the shade of their tights. So, it comes as a huge surprise when royals show off an edgy inking, whether that's permanent or temporary.
Over the years, plenty of royals have shown off some nifty tattoos; includingPrincess Eugeniewho showed off her subtle ink while stepping out to a royal event in 2022. Not only that, but Lady Amelia Windsorhas several on her ribcage, left hand, and wrists, and Princess Sofia famously displayed the sun tattoo between her shoulder blades on her wedding day. Read on to find outwhich royals have been tempted by tattoos…
Princess Eugenie
Yes, Princess Eugenie has a tattoo! The royal has a very small ink behind her ear and fans have spotted the subtle tattoo a number of times while Princess Eugenie has stepped out for various engagements over the years.
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It's not known when the royal had her ink done, but in the below image, showing the royal attending the Thanksgiving Service at St Paul's Cathedral to celebrate the Queen's Platinum Jubilee in 2022, Eugenie's hair was pinned away from her face meaning her delicate circle tatt behind her left ear was visible. The meaning behind the circle tattoo is not known, but some royals fans believe she had it done to honour her late grandmother, the Queen.
© Max Mumby/Indigo
Queen Camilla
Although Queen Camilla does not have permanent ink, the Queen did partake in some henna activities while on an official engagement in 2011 with her husband, King Charles, then Prince Charles, while in Zanzibar. The Queen Consort visited a henna tattooist and had her own ink creation painted on her hand. The royal couple were on a four-day trip to Tanzania to highlight environmental issues in Africa.
© Chris Jackson
Princess Kate
Much like her mother-in-law, the Queen, the Princess of Wales doesn't have a permanent tattoo, but she has enjoyed having a temporary henna in the past. In February 2018, while seven months pregnant with Louis, the Princess received a small henna tattoo while marking the opening of a new artist’s residence in Sunderland. Wonder how it faded so fast? Henna is a natural dye that only lasts around one to four weeks.
© WPA Pool
Meghan Markle
During the royal couple's trip to Morocco in 2019, Meghan Markle was given a henna tattoo by teenager Samira who has lived in Asni for six years - the henna flower was created on Meghan’s right hand to celebrate her pregnancy as per Moroccan tradition. Samira explained: "It is a traditional practice for pregnant women in Morocco. It is to bring luck for the baby."
© Tim P. Whitby
When the artwork was completed, Meghan said: "That’s really lovely," and proudly showed it to husband Prince Harry, who was sitting next to her. Meghan added: "It will dry for a little bit and then we can walk through." Here's a close-up photo of Meghan with her beautiful henna tattoo...
© Pool/Samir Hussein
Doria Ragland
Like mother, like daughter! The duch*ess of Sussex's mother, Doria Ragland, showed off her beautifully artistic arm ink while stepping out in Beverly Hills recently. Wearing a chic red strappy jumpsuit, the yoga instructor's tattoo was on full display. The ink is a floral design, with some royal fans theorising that Doria's tattoo could be a tribute to Meghan as she refers to her daughter as 'flower'. One of the flowers is a lily, could this also be a tribute to her granddaughter Lilibet?
© AKGS
Lady Amelia Windsor
Something of an it-girl, Lady Amelia Windsor is the granddaughter of Prince Edward. The Duke of Kent and the late Queen Elizabeth II were first cousins through their fathers, King George VI and Prince George, Duke of Kent.
Amelia isn't shy about expressing her personal style. Inked in more places than one, the stylish royal showed off her rib cage tattoo while attending the Serpentine Summer Party. She also has tattoos on each of her wrists and a tiger on her left-hand shoulder blade.
© Mike Marsland
Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark
The heir to the Danish throne, Crown Prince Frederik will become King with two tatts but it's something that's not unusual in his family. His grandfather, King Frederik IX, who ruled Denmark from 1947 to his death in 1972 had tattoos of dragons and birds on his torso. Why? Because, just like Prince Frederik, who has a shark on his calf and a tattoo on his arm that means 'pingu', the chosen symbols are used to represent their time served in the Danish Navy.
© Getty
Princess Sofia, duch*ess of Värmland
Before marrying Prince Carl Philip, Duke of Värmland, who is fourth in line to the Swedish throne, Princess Sofia worked as a glamour model and reality television star. After getting together with her future husband she wasn't just going to erase her tattoos because she was becoming royal. Quite right, too.
On her wedding day, a sun between her shoulder blades was visible and on a holiday a few years, she revealed a large tattoo of a flying butterfly on her ribcage. She also has a minute inking on her ankle and is said to have previously had a motif on her arm.
© Gisela Schober
Princess Stéphanie of Monaco
The youngest daughter of American actress Grace Kelly and Rainier III, Prince of Monaco, Princess Stéphanie was lovingly called 'wild child' by her mother when she was growing up. After her mother was killed in a car accident in 1982, while Stéphanie was riding with her, she reportedly grew more rebellious and opted for several tattoos including a floral bracelet, two jumping dolphins on her foot and a motif on her back.
© Pool BENAINOUS/SCORCELLETTI
Pauline Ducruet
Pauline Ducruet is the daughter of Princess Stéphanie of Monaco and is 14th in line to the Monegasque throne. Like mother, like daughter, she's also partial to visiting the tattoo parlour and has a floral motif on her wrist too. A daisy to be precise. She also has a small circle inked on the inside of her left ear.
© Francois Durand
As an avid enthusiast with a deep understanding of the intricate world of royal traditions and expressions, let me delve into the fascinating realm of royal tattoos. The notion of royals adorned with tattoos might seem contradictory to the conventional image of regality, but it's a captivating aspect that reveals the diverse personalities within royal circles.
Princess Eugenie: Princess Eugenie, breaking the mold, sports a discreet tattoo behind her ear, a small circle that has piqued the curiosity of royal watchers. Although the meaning remains a mystery, some speculate it could be a tribute to her late grandmother, the Queen. The subtlety of her ink reflects the contemporary spirit embraced by certain members of the royal family.
Queen Camilla: While not permanently inked, Queen Camilla participated in henna tattooing during an official engagement in Zanzibar in 2011. Although temporary, this instance adds an unconventional touch to the Queen Consort's public appearances, showcasing a willingness to engage with local traditions.
Princess Kate: Following in the temporary tattoo trend, Princess Kate, like Queen Camilla, embraced henna during a visit to Sunderland in 2018 while seven months pregnant with Prince Louis. The temporary nature of henna aligns with the practicality required in the royal sphere, and it's fascinating to see these temporary deviations from the expected.
Meghan Markle: Meghan Markle's encounter with henna occurred during the couple's visit to Morocco in 2019. A henna flower on her right hand, a symbol of luck for the baby she was carrying at the time, added a touch of cultural significance to the royal tour.
Doria Ragland: Doria Ragland, Meghan Markle's mother, proudly displays a floral tattoo on her arm, showcasing her artistic inclination. Some royal enthusiasts speculate that this might be a tribute to Meghan, referencing her as a 'flower,' and possibly to her granddaughter Lilibet.
Lady Amelia Windsor: Lady Amelia Windsor, known for her avant-garde style, boasts tattoos in multiple places, including her ribcage, wrists, and left-hand shoulder blade. Her bold approach to personal expression challenges traditional expectations associated with royal figures.
Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark: In the Danish royal family, even future kings are not exempt from tattoos. Crown Prince Frederik, set to become King, proudly sports tattoos representing his service in the Danish Navy. This tradition echoes back to his grandfather, King Frederik IX, who adorned his torso with tattoos.
Princess Sofia, duch*ess of Värmland: Before joining the Swedish royal family, Princess Sofia had tattoos that she retained even after her marriage. Her visible sun tattoo on her wedding day and a flying butterfly on her ribcage showcase a commitment to personal identity amidst royal obligations.
Princess Stéphanie of Monaco: Princess Stéphanie of Monaco, the 'wild child' of her generation, embraced rebellion with tattoos such as a floral bracelet, jumping dolphins on her foot, and motifs on her back. Her journey reflects the complexity of personal expression within the royal context.
Pauline Ducruet: Following in her mother's footsteps, Pauline Ducruet, daughter of Princess Stéphanie of Monaco, has her own share of tattoos, including a floral motif on her wrist and a small circle inside her left ear. The intergenerational continuation of tattoo expressions highlights the evolving nature of royal identities.
In conclusion, these instances of royal tattoos provide a unique glimpse into the evolving dynamics of tradition and personal expression within the regal sphere. It's a testament to the fact that even within the confines of royal protocols, individuals find ways to express their distinct identities.
