Billy Porter’s 2020 Oscars Golden Dress Has a Royal Family Connection

Billy Porter is known as fashion royalty, and tonight, he expanded his purview into the British monarchy with his 2020 Oscars look. At the 92nd Annual Academy Awards, Porter wore a custom couture outfit from British designer Giles Deacon, consisting of a metallic gold feathered top, an extravagant printed skirt, and matching Jimmy Choo platform boots. While it's hard to tell from a distance, royal aficionados will notice that the skirt's pattern is actually blown up photographs of Kensington Palace's Cupola Room.

ABC's Coverage Of The 92nd Annual Academy Awards - Red Carpet

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Porter’s show-stopping look featuring photographs from Kensington Palace.

According to Yahoo! Lifestyle, Porter's stylist, Sam Ratelle, toured the palace last year and found inspiration in its décor. After visiting the home of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (and formerly the Duke and Duchess of Sussex), the expert stylist worked with Deacon to take the room's wood and marble elements and gold statues of Roman deities and turn them into a chic print.

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The Cupola Room at Kensington Palace

Deacon was indeed the right choice for this venture, as he already has ties (albeit somewhat distant ones) to the British monarchy. The designer fashioned Pippa Middleton's stunning, lace wedding dress. Speaking about incorporating the room's religious elements into the skirt, Deacon told The New York Times, "I love the idea of Billy being this kind of messenger sent from the gods."

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The long train on Porter’s skirt, showing off the pattern.

Finally, to finish off this royal-inspired look, Porter accessorized with some sparkle. He chose Swarovski Atelier jewelry and a shimmering Judith Leiber purse. As for his glowing complexion, e.l.f. Cosmetics partnered with celebrity makeup artist Anna Bernabe to create Porter's ethereal makeup look, using products that totaled at just $39. All of these components added the perfect final touches to Porter's outfit.

Without a doubt, Porter gave us another memorable red carpet look, though this time with a topical twist. His stylist agreed. Ratelle told The Times, "I thought, 'The Oscars are kind of a royal event.'" Of course, this look could not have been worn by just anyone. As Ratelle said, Porter is certainly "a kween with a 'kw.'"