In a whirlwind of style and spontaneity, Princess Eugenie of York has proven that a single dress can bridge the gap between royal elegance and nightclub energy. On a warm May afternoon in 2025, the youngest daughter of Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson graced a Buckingham Palace garden party in a navy and white polka dot dress that turned heads. Fast forward to a vibrant September night in Seoul, South Korea, where the same chic frock—minus its grand hat—reappeared as Eugenie danced alongside K-pop stars and global DJs. This sartorial journey, from the manicured lawns of royal tradition to the pulsating heart of a Seoul nightclub, is more than a fashion statement; it’s a testament to Eugenie’s knack for blending timeless grace with modern flair. With her infectious charm and a dress that refuses to be confined, the princess is rewriting the rules of royal style—one polka dot at a time.
It all began on May 20, 2025, at the final Buckingham Palace garden party of the season, an event steeped in British tradition. Hosted by her cousin, Prince William, and attended by a constellation of royals including Princess Kate and Zara Tindall, the gathering was a celebration of community heroes—charity workers, military personnel, and local stalwarts. Eugenie arrived like a breath of fresh air, her navy Rixo midi dress adorned with crisp white polka dots cutting through the sea of florals and pastels. The dress, with its V-neckline, cap sleeves, and cinched waist, was both feminine and commanding, its floaty skirt swaying as she mingled with guests. Paired with a wide-brimmed navy hat by Emily London and $20,000 Garrard sapphire-and-diamond earrings, the look was pure royal polish, evoking the effortless glamour of Princess Diana. Yet, beneath the elegance lay a hint of rebellion—a dress versatile enough to defy its formal roots.
The Rixo dress, retailing at $540, is a favorite among royals, with even Princess Kate donning similar styles from the London-based label known for its vintage-inspired cuts. Eugenie’s choice was no accident; its bias-cut silk crepe hugged her figure while offering breezy comfort, a perfect fit for a spring day under the palace’s ancient oaks. She accessorized with Jimmy Choo’s navy suede Romy 85 pumps and a sleek Fendi Peekaboo ISeeU bag, adding a modern edge to the retro print. As she chatted with guests, her auburn hair cascading in loose waves, Eugenie exuded warmth and approachability, a hallmark of her public appearances. Royal fans were quick to praise her, with one gushing on social media, “Eugenie’s polka dot look is giving vintage Hollywood star—absolutely flawless!” Another chimed in, “That dress is a keeper. She’s nailed the balance of chic and fun.”
But the story of this dress was far from over. On September 7, 2025, Eugenie swapped the palace’s manicured lawns for the neon-lit chaos of a Seoul nightclub, where the same Rixo midi became the centerpiece of an unexpected royal adventure. The princess, known for her work as an art director at Hauser & Wirth, was in South Korea for the Chanel Culture Fund Frieze Seoul 2024 at the Leeum Museum of Art. After a glamorous evening rubbing shoulders with K-pop icon G-Dragon and other luminaries, Eugenie let loose at a nightclub owned by Mini Han, a friend of renowned DJ Peggy Gou. In a viral Instagram clip, the royal was spotted swaying to Gou’s hit “(It Goes Like) Nanana,” her navy polka dot dress now paired with dangling earrings and a long pendant necklace. Gone was the oversized hat; her hair was pulled back, letting the dress—and her infectious energy—take center stage.
The video, shared by Mini Han, captured Eugenie learning dance moves from Peggy Gou herself, her arms waving to the beat in the red-hued club. The crowd roared as the princess embraced the moment, her Rixo dress proving as versatile on the dancefloor as it was at Buckingham Palace. “She’s one of us!” one fan commented online, while another marveled, “From garden party to nightclub? That dress is living its best life.” The scene was a masterclass in day-to-night dressing, showcasing Eugenie’s ability to adapt a single garment to wildly different settings. Gou, too, embraced the polka dot trend, sporting a plunging halter-neck dress with tiny white spots, making the night a playful nod to the timeless pattern that’s taken 2025 by storm.
This wasn’t just a fashion moment; it was a glimpse into Eugenie’s evolving identity. At 35, the mother of two—sons August, 4, and Ernest, 2—has carved a unique space in the royal landscape. Unlike her working royal cousins, she balances a private career in the art world with selective public appearances, often championing causes like the Anti-Slavery Collective she co-founded. Her Seoul adventure highlighted her global reach, connecting London’s high society with Asia’s cultural vanguard. The trip wasn’t without speculation, though. Some wondered if her husband, Jack Brooksbank, or their children joined her for the long-haul journey, but Eugenie’s solo appearance suggested a whirlwind work trip infused with a touch of fun. Her presence at Frieze Seoul, an art fair drawing international tastemakers, underscored her professional clout, while the nightclub cameo revealed a relatable, carefree side.
The polka dot dress itself became a symbol of Eugenie’s versatility. Rixo’s Evie dress, available in sizes 6-26 and various prints, has earned glowing reviews for its flattering fit and luxurious drape. Customers rave about its comfort and timeless appeal, with one saying, “It’s like wearing a hug that looks like a million bucks.” Eugenie’s choice to rewear it in such contrasting settings speaks to a broader trend: sustainable fashion with a royal twist. By giving the dress a second life, she nodded to the growing movement of outfit repeating, a practice championed by eco-conscious royals like Princess Kate. The dress’s navy-and-white palette, a nod to her mother Sarah Ferguson’s love for polka dots, also carried a sentimental weight, tying Eugenie to her family’s sartorial legacy.
Social media lit up with praise for Eugenie’s bold move. “She’s living proof you can be royal and real,” one X user posted, while another quipped, “Polka dots by day, party vibes by night—Eugenie’s got range!” Critics, however, raised eyebrows at the optics of a princess clubbing abroad while royal duties pile up at home. King Charles III, battling health challenges, and Princess Kate, recovering from her own, have left the monarchy lean on working royals, prompting whispers about whether Eugenie and her sister, Princess Beatrice, might step up. Yet sources close to the Yorks insist they’re content with their non-working status, focusing on family and philanthropy over palace obligations. Eugenie’s Seoul escapade, then, was less a rebellion and more a celebration of her freedom to straddle both worlds.
The contrast between the two settings couldn’t be starker. At Buckingham Palace, Eugenie embodied tradition, her outfit accessorized with regal flair to honor a centuries-old ritual. Garden parties, dating back to Queen Victoria’s “breakfasts” in the 1860s, are a quintessentially British affair, complete with 27,000 cups of tea and 20,000 sandwiches. Eugenie’s presence alongside William and Kate signaled family unity, a subtle counterpoint to ongoing royal tensions. In Seoul, however, she embraced a global stage, dancing under strobe lights in a city pulsing with modernity. The Rixo dress, unlined for breathability, held its own in both contexts, its polka dots a cheerful constant amid shifting backdrops.
This wasn’t Eugenie’s first fashion win of the year. Just days before the garden party, she dazzled at the Chelsea Flower Show in a white floral Rebecca Vallance dress, coordinating with her sister Beatrice in a rare sibling style moment. Her summer was packed with high-profile outings—Royal Ascot, a Tate Modern gala, and even a trip to Portugal, where she and Jack own a second home. Each appearance showcased her knack for blending bold prints with classic silhouettes, cementing her as a royal style icon. Yet the polka dot dress stood out, its journey from palace to nightclub capturing the imagination of fans and fashionistas alike.
As the viral video from Seoul made its rounds, it sparked a broader conversation about royal reinvention. Eugenie, once mocked for fashion missteps alongside Beatrice, has emerged as a style queen, her confidence radiating through every outfit. The polka dot trend, beloved by royals from Princess Diana to Queen Camilla, is having a moment in 2025, and Eugenie’s take feels fresh yet nostalgic. Her ability to make a $540 dress look priceless—whether sipping tea with dignitaries or dancing with DJs—speaks to her growing influence. “She’s not just wearing the dress; she’s owning the narrative,” one fashion blogger wrote.
In the end, Eugenie’s polka dot adventure is more than a tale of a dress; it’s a story of a princess embracing her duality. From the hallowed grounds of Buckingham Palace to the electric nights of Seoul, she’s proving that royalty can be both timeless and timely. As she waved her arms to the beat, surrounded by new friends and old patterns, Eugenie showed the world that a good dress—and a great spirit—can go anywhere. And somewhere, amid the cheers and strobe lights, a new chapter of her story was written, one polka dot at a time.
