Makeup Tricks of The Senior Royals

They not only wear crowns, but also makeup that shows how good beauty can look on mature skin. Senior royals like Queen Silvia and Queen Sonja prove that mascara and lipstick are real freshness boosters. But listen up: these tricks are far more than just for women over 60.

A makeup style never expires – and several senior royals provide the best proof of that. Whether it’s Queen Camilla, Silvia of Sweden, or Queen Sonja: their beauty looks radiate class, personality, and experience, and are definitely on par with the radiance of the younger generation. They disprove the common cliché that makeup automatically makes women over 70 look older with every appearance. The secret of these experienced royals: they know their faces, their skin tone – and consistently stick to what suits them. We’ve taken a closer look at four tricks from their repertoire and show you how you can easily recreate them. 

These makeup tricks of the senior royals have been tried and tested for decades.

When Camilla and Silvia entered the royal world, there was no such thing as glam squads and constantly available stylists. Back then, the look had to be perfect without a professional team touching it up before every engagement – ​​and it’s precisely from this era that many of their makeup hacks, perfected over decades, originate. The best part: the queens’ routines are not only reliable but also surprisingly easy to replicate. Timeless beauty doesn’t require complicated techniques, but rather smart choices and a few well-placed products. To begin, ask yourself about each product: “Does this make me look fresher – or harsher?” Any items for which the answer isn’t clear can be discarded.

Queen Silvia of Sweden opts for soft glam at an elite level.

For decades, Silvia has perfected a look that is classic, soft, and incredibly flattering. Her finely plucked eyebrows are her signature – neatly shaped, never overdone, and now even adopted by her daughter, Crown Princess Victoria. That alone speaks volumes. Silvia often wears a thin, dark eyeliner that adds definition to her eyes without weighing them down. For added depth, the 82-year-old uses silver-gray eyeshadow – light enough to open up the eyes, dark enough to define them. A touch of highlighter under the eyes creates a wide-awake, “well-rested” effect, as seen at her appearance at the 2025 Nobel Prize ceremony. She applies blush precisely to her cheekbones and slightly upwards, creating a natural lifting effect that visually lifts the face. Our tip: Apply a creamy highlighter sparingly under the outer corner of the lower eyelid and in the inner corner of the eye – not on wrinkles, but just below them. This brightens any shadows and makes the blush pop even more. 

Queen Sonja of Norway: Naturalness with a colorful twist

Sonja likes her look uncomplicated, but never boring. Her love of art is evident in her makeup color choices: light eyeshadow that opens up the eyes, and softly defined brows that frame her face perfectly. She’s meticulous about ensuring her brow pencil is never darker than her natural hair color. This is a key reason why her look doesn’t appear heavy, even with mature skin and a slight loss of elasticity on the eyelids. Her signature element is lips in vibrant reds or corals that instantly brighten the face. This look works particularly well with creamy products. The older the wearer, the more she can move away from ultra-matte formulas. The result: a look that appears polished, awake, and fresh all at once.

Queen Camilla’s secret consists of lash power and rosewood lips.

Queen Camilla has long since stepped out of the shadow of the “eyeliner icon” Diana and established her own recognizable beauty style. Her blue eyes are the focal point. A pronounced, rather deep eyeliner, several coats of mascara, and a subtle highlighter under the eyes create her famous warm “Camilla look.” She applies the mascara very close to the lash line, so that the lashes appear thick and defined without looking artificial. Her motto is “Lash power, not fake lashes.” Do your mascara tend to clump? Build it up in several thin coats instead of applying one thick layer! Camilla is equally consistent with her lips: she wears rosewood and nude-rose tones every day, which perfectly complement her warm complexion and softly round off the look. This creates a classic, soft glam that works just as well with evening wear as it does with daytime attire.

Queen Margrethe of Denmark: She champions courage to wear color

Former Queen Margrethe proves that bold colors are not only allowed but expressly encouraged for those over 80. Her motto: “Too much” is not an option – neither in her wardrobe nor in her makeup bag. Her trademark is a bold, matte, statement red lip that lasts all day and instantly adds presence to any look. For gala events, she adds eyeshadow in shades of blue or turquoise, which gives her eyes a visual sparkle and adds personality to her overall look. To avoid an overdone appearance, she deliberately keeps the rest of her makeup understated. Subtly defined brows ensure a calm complexion and minimal distractions. This way, the colors remain vibrant, but the overall look is harmonious.

That’s why the makeup of the senior royals isn’t just a hit with all women over 60.

Camilla, Margrethe, Sonja, and Silvia may look very different, but their makeup philosophies are strikingly similar: They prioritize consistency over trends, balance over excess, and signature elements that have worked for decades. Well-groomed, shaped brows, defined eyes, and carefully chosen lip colors are their constants. A touch of highlighter adds a glow without becoming overexposed. The result is authentic beauty that doesn’t aim to make you look younger, but better—and that’s precisely why it’s so timelessly modern and truly suitable for everyone, regardless of age.