Zara Tindall's tiny heatwave shorts are a royal style rule-breaker

It’s safe to say that summer appears to have arrived in the UK! As much as warmer weather is always welcomed, it can be hard to know exactly what to wear when the sun becomes blisteringly hot. That being said, a pair of classic denim shorts can be a surefire winner, and no one appears to pull them off quite like Zara Tindall.

The mother of three has worn a cut-off pair of the popular, famously relaxed style for many years, even though they are universally considered a casual item, not associated with the royal style rules – a traditional dress code designed for etiquette expectations.

Although Prince William’s cousin has worn denim shorts many times in an off-duty setting, her most memorable moment was in 2024, when she was pictured arriving at Southmead Hospital after her mother, Princess Anne, was hospitalised after sustaining minor injuries at her home on the Gatcombe Park estate.

Zara donned a pair of cut-off denim shorts, which she teamed with a slightly oversized denim shirt. The royal teamed the look with a pair of grey and white Adidas Gazelle trainers, sunglasses by Monc, and she wore her cream Aspinal London bag cross-body.

Why you should wear denim shorts when the weather gets warm

Denim is a durable fabric that absorbs sweat well, and this, combined with the shape of shorts, exposes the leg, giving great airflow; an ultra-cooling item.

What do royal fashion rules say about shorts?

Although there aren’t any specific rules around shorts, it’s fair to say they are deemed a casual item that wouldn’t be appropriate for a royal woman to wear to a formal engagement, where traditional dresses or skirts would be expected. There is a loophole, however, when it comes to sporting events – the Princess of Wales famously wore a pair of white shorts in 2022, when she stepped out in Plymouth with the 1851 Trust, joining Sir Ben Ainslie and the British crew at a SailGP event.

As there’s no official royal style etiquette book for the public to see, we take our information from style experts and from studying the formal dressing ethos the royal family adheres to.

Etiquette experts have suggested that cut-off styles and frayed denim aren’t suitable for public appearances, with a smarter, more tailored style preferred. It’s also worth noting that the late Queen Elizabeth II was never photographed wearing shorts throughout her 70-year reign, which speaks volumes about her long-standing, traditional standards.

10 more royals rocking summer shorts…
© Getty ImagesTropical temps

It is more than logical that Princess Kate wears some casual shorts with a smart belt when she is in the Caribbean on a royal tour in this March 2022 flashback.

Keeping cool, Meghan Markle wears white shorts with a brown belt to the Invictus Games in September 2023.

Making ’90s fashion look so cool, Princess Diana rocks bright blue cropped shorts on board a yacht in August 1990.

Striping it up at Paris Fashion Week, Charlotte Casiraghi looks ever so coordinated and comfortable in this October 2024 flashback.

Keeping it ultra-casual, Duchess Sophie opts for denim shorts while visiting the Association of Sail Training Organisations in this August 2018 throwback.

Queen Letizia looks like certified holiday inspiration in her loose striped blue shorts during this August 2022 trip to Palma de Mallorca.

Princess Mary wears baggy black sports shorts after taking part in a sailing match in Sydney Harbour in this February 2005 flashback.

Princess Victoria plays bowls in March 2005 in her white uniform shorts for the game.

Channeling her inner party girl, Princess Kate arrives at the Day-Glo Midnight Roller Disco at The Renaissance Rooms in this September 2008 throwback.

Shades on, Princess Diana is completely off-duty in her orange gym-style shorts in this November 1995 throwback.

Zara Tindall’s tiny heatwave shorts are a royal style rule-breaker