Within the Spanish royal family, attitudes toward wristwatches can be described as reserved. Queen Letizia has not been seen wearing a watch at public events for many years, though it is known that she received a Royal Oak model by Audemars Piguet, valued at around 17,000 euros, as an engagement gift from her husband. Meanwhile, King Felipe VI occasionally wears pieces from his valuable collection, which includes brands like Omega and Breitling. However, the monarch is not averse to more affordable models as well. For instance, he is often seen with a Swatch Sistem Damier watch, which he even wore to the coronation of Charles III in London. Princess Leonor, for her part, takes a middle ground: she wears watches but opts for practical, understated designs.
The situation is noticeably different in other European royal households. For many monarchs, their heirs, and other family members, a watch is more than just a practical accessory. It is considered a piece of jewelry, a symbol of high status, and, at times, a bearer of family history passed down through generations.
One of the most popular models among female royals remains the iconic Tank model by Cartier. Its rectangular case and minimalist design, once favored by Princess Diana, make this watch a timeless classic. It is no surprise that Queen Máxima of the Netherlands and Queen Mary of Denmark prefer it as well. The wife of King Willem-Alexander especially values her Cartier Tank Louis in yellow gold, a piece she owned even before joining the royal family.
Princess Madeleine of Sweden is also an avid fan of wristwatches, but her choice is far from the refined elegance of Cartier. She prefers the striking Rolex Daytona stainless steel model, which inevitably attracts attention and emphasizes her image as a modern princess. Princess Charlene of Monaco, known for her love of luxury, has also been spotted wearing exclusive timepieces. For a Formula 1 event, she chose the Richard Mille 07-01 Automatic in white ceramic and rose gold, set with jasper and diamonds. The price of this accessory is estimated at around €150,000.
The British royal family inherited their passion for watches from Elizabeth II. The late queen was a true connoisseur and insisted on wearing a watch even at her own coronation in 1953. Knowing that it would be inappropriate to check the time during such an important ceremony, she chose an elegant jeweled model by Jaeger-LeCoultre with a hidden dial. Her descendants share this fascination, though their choices are not always as delicate.
King Charles III, known for his impeccable dress sense, owns a watch collection that reflects the same attention to detail. One of his favorite models is the Parmigiani Fleurier Toric in 18-carat gold. His younger son, Prince Harry, opted for a more utilitarian choice—a robust steel Rolex Explorer II, which he acquired during his service with the Army Air Corps. Prince William, by contrast, almost always wears the same model—an Omega Seamaster Professional. This watch holds special significance for him, as it was a gift from his mother, Princess Diana.
Even before joining the royal family, Meghan Markle purchased a two-tone Cartier Tank watch, having the back engraved to commemorate her acting success. Notably, her sister-in-law Kate Middleton’s favorite watch is also made by Cartier — the classic Ballon Bleu model.
