Maxi skirts are the new midi dresses and Queen Mary’s floral design is utterly eye-catching
Queen Mary’s floral skirt has convinced us that maxi skirts are a brilliant alternative to midi dresses for spring and summer.


Just as roll neck jumpers and knee high boots will always be everywhere as soon as autumn arrives, spring and summer is the season where we see an abundance of floral midi dresses hitting the high street and online.
We have several in our collection and they make great wedding guest dresses as well as everyday outfits, depending on the material and silhouette. This year, though, we’ve been longing for something a little different and Queen Mary of Denmark has presented a floral maxi skirt as an equally elegant alternative. Her Majesty wore a floral Lasse Spangenberg skirt with a dramatic floor-sweeping hem for a Gala Dinner at the Élysée Palace on 31st March.
The event was hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron on Day 1 of Mary and King Frederik’s State Visit. We’re used to seeing the British Royal Family go all-out both when they host and attend State Banquets, wearing floor-length gowns, magnificent jewellery and often tiaras too.
Shop Floral Maxi Skirts
This new season style has a voluminous skirt and is a lovely affordable option if you've been inspired by Queen Mary's look. The high waistband is elasticated for comfort and a discreet zip and hook-and-eye fastening at the side. The flared shape means that we'd style this with a more fitted top.
Currently reduced in the sale, this black maxi skirt is covered with a pastel yellow and blue floral motif and has feminine ruffles. On a hot summer's day we'd style this with black sandals and a cami top or T-shirt and to dress it up why not consider picking up the matching ruffled shirt?
Complete Your Maxi Skirt Look
Sophisticated and easy to wear, this timeless tank top has a high neckline and ribbed finish. It also comes in a range of other colours and is so versatile, thanks to it's minimal design. Tuck it into jeans and trousers or throw on with a fabulous floral maxi skirt like Queen Mary's.
Espadrilles scream summer and these flatform TOMs ones give you elevation without you having to compromise on comfort by going for a high wedge heel. The Duchess of Edinburgh owns this particular style and they have a removable insole, rubber outsole and the jute espadrille detailing.
Adorned with pearly beads, this clutch bag is such a show-stopping accessory to take with you to everything from date nights to weddings. It is designed with a clip frame fastening, an inner zipped compartment and a glimmering silver chain strap so that you can wear it crossbody too.
In contrast, the Danish Queen went slightly more low-key but still dazzling on this occasion. Her maxi skirt was high-rise and had a fitted waistband that accentuated its fit-and-flare shape. Falling to an elegant maxi length, Queen Mary’s skirt also had plenty of volume thanks to the crisp pleats running down the front. It was grey and this neutral base made the delicate floral print shine even more in contrast.
Roses and other pink and white flowers wove their way across the skirt, surrounded by dark green leaves and beautiful pink birds. This design transformed an already stunning skirt into a work of art and it was perfect for this official gala dinner. The Queen of Denmark paired it with a Victoriana-style CLEA embroidered white shirt with blouson sleeves that was tucked neatly into the waistband for a seamless finish.
Although hers was an especially dramatic take on a floral maxi skirt, Queen Mary reminded us that we should never discount them as an alternative to dresses. They are great when you want a formal or smart-casual outfit as the longer length naturally feels quite elevated. You can dress them down by wearing a maxi skirt with a loose T-shirt and plimsoll trainers or espadrilles, or dress them up with high heels and a silky shirt.
Whilst you can of course style a midi dress in multiple ways, you can make a skirt look radically different with a lot less effort and they are even more versatile because of this. Her Majesty wore her skirt and blouse with a pair of Gianvito Rossi court shoe heels in beige satin and a fun, pearl-embellished clutch by Anya Hindmarch.
Sign up for the woman&home newsletter
Sign up to our free daily email for the latest royal and entertainment news, interesting opinion, expert advice on styling and beauty trends, and no-nonsense guides to the health and wellness questions you want answered.
This bag is sadly no longer available but pearl bags are continuing to have a moment right now so there are plenty of alternatives out there that give a similar glamorous edge to an outfit. The Queen has had a lot of use out of hers so far in 2025 as she also brought this clutch on her and King Frederik’s State Visit to Finland in March.
The couple are in France until 2nd April and we can look forward to seeing Queen Mary wearing some more elegant outfits before they return to Denmark.
Emma is a Royal Editor with eight years experience working in publishing. She specialises in the British Royal Family, ranging from protocol to outfits. Alongside putting her royal knowledge to good use, Emma knows all there is to know about the latest TV shows on the BBC, ITV and more. When she’s not writing about the latest royal outing or unmissable show to add to your to-watch list, Emma enjoys cooking, long walks and watching yet more crime dramas!
-
The most decade defining royal moments of the 80s - from Princess Diana fever, royal births and Queen Elizabeth II's historic firsts
A lot happened in the 80s, and we don't just mean leg warmers and the rise of Madonna
By Jack Slater
-
Celebrities who have spoken openly about menopause - and what they had to say
Celebrities such as Oprah Winfrey and Jennifer Aniston have helped combat the 'taboo' of talking about menopause in the public eye
By Grace Walsh
-
I’ve been writing about the royals for years - here’s what I predict Kate Middleton will wear at Easter (and what I wish she’d wear instead)
All eyes will be on the Princess of Wales if she attends the Royal Family's Easter Sunday church service for the first time since 2023
By Emma Shacklock
-
Kate Middleton's go-to bag for special occasions is a wedding season essential you'll reach for time and time again
The Princess of Wales always reaches for the same elegant style of bag for formal events and it works beautifully for weddings.
By Emma Shacklock
-
Kate Middleton declares baker boy hats back for 2025 in new Love Actually-esque outfit
The Princess of Wales's signature style is all about timelessness but that doesn’t mean that she never gets on board with trends.
By Emma Shacklock
-
Forget-me-not blue is the pastel Duchess Sophie always comes back to - it might've overtaken pistachio as our favourite this season
The royals love wearing a range of colours for engagements and visits, but there are a few hues that each of them gravitate towards the most.
By Emma Shacklock
-
Royal style made casual - Zara Tindall's one-shoulder dress, denim jacket and Aspinal bag are the epitome of chic summer comfort
Zara Tindall's outfit in Bahrain was a more relaxed take on her signature style and was made up of timeless staples.
By Emma Shacklock
-
Queen Camilla takes note of Kate Middleton's love of polka dots with charming collared number in Rome
If we had to pick the Princess of Wales’s favourite print it would be polka dots and Queen Camilla just emulated her style in Rome.
By Emma Shacklock
-
Don't let white jeans daunt you - Duchess Sophie's recent outfit shows they're just as versatile as blue denim
Blue jeans are a wardrobe must-have for so many of us but white denim has a reputation for being a lot more challenging to style.
By Emma Shacklock
-
Queen Maxima makes olive green look classy in Amsterdam as she wears co-ord that could pass for a jumpsuit
The Queen of the Netherlands went for a full on green outfit that was so impeccably put-together it looked like a one-piece.
By Emma Shacklock