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A Look Back at Princess Diana’s Postpartum Style

She was the first British royal to give birth in a hospital.
Princess Diana, Prince Harry, St. Mary's Hospital, Prince Charles, red outfit
Britain's Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, with his wife Princess Diana, holding her newborn son Prince William, as they leave St. Mary's Hospital, Paddington, LondonCHARLES DIANA HOLDING WILLIAM, LONDON, United Kingdom England
Prince Charles and Princess Diana leaving Saint Mary's Hospital after the birth of their first baby son Prince WilliamBirth of Prince William, Lindo Wing, St Mary's Hospital, London, UK - 1982
Princess DianaDiana Princess Of Wales July 1982 Diana Princess Of Wales Wearing A Billowy Cornflower Blue Silk Dress Leaves St Paul's Cathedral After The Falkland Islands Thanksgiving Service. It Was The Princess's First Engagement Since The Birth Of Prince William
Princess Diana
Diana Princess Of Wales - December 1982 Princess Diana Arrives At Odeon Leicester Square For 'gandhi'...royalty
9 Images

Once the most-photographed woman in the world, Princess Diana was an undeniable style icon — and she didn’t take a break after giving birth to her two sons.

On the day of Prince William‘s birth in June 1982, the royal stepped out of St. Mary’s Hospital in London clad in a flowing polka dot dress with bow detailing at the neckline. Underneath the dress, the Brit sported white stockings and burgundy, bow-adorned flats.

Prince Charles and Princess Diana leaving Saint Mary's Hospital after the birth of their first baby son Prince WilliamBirth of Prince William, Lindo Wing, St Mary's Hospital, London, UK - 1982
Prince Charles and Princess Diana leaving Saint Mary’s Hospital after the birth of son Prince William in June 1982.Shutterstock

Following the birth of her second son, Prince Harry, in September 1984, Princess Diana went with another eye-catching look. The humanitarian was chic in a red coatdress and matching red heels as she posed with the newborn and husband Prince Charles on the hospital steps.

Princess Diana, red coatdress, high heels, prince harry, birth, Prince Charles, st mary's hospital
Princess Diana wears a red coat-dress and heels with Prince Charles after the birth of Prince Harry in 1984.Shutterstock

All three of Prince William’s kids — Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis — were born at St. Mary’s. Though it’s become somewhat of a royal tradition for royal ladies to give birth there, Princess Diana was considered a trailblazer for giving birth in a hospital. She was the first British royal woman to pass on home birth at Kensington Palace, demanding that her kids be birthed in a modern hospital.

Kate Middleton has followed in Princess Di’s footsteps for the births of her three kids — posing for a sweet photo on the steps of St. Mary’s after giving birth. But Meghan Markle reportedly plans to skip the tradition.

Click through the gallery for more photos of Princess Diana’s postpartum style.

Want more?

From the Archives: Princess Diana’s Shoe Style

How Royal Maternity Style Has Evolved Over the Years

9 Times Meghan Markle Channeled Princess Diana’s Effortless Style

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