The 40-year-old actress, who has appeared in movies such as An Education and The Great Gatsby, was honoured by the monarch for her services to drama at an investiture ceremony in London.
Rather than the midi-dress, heels and feathered fascinator that has become the norm for such occasions, the star set a new style precedent.
Instead she donned a quiet luxury ensemble that prioritised modern tailoring, opting for a detailed ivory embroidered jacket, roomy barrel-leg black trousers and black pointed flats.
No surprises the outfit comes from the go-to label for lovers up understated luxe, The Row.
As for accessories, she kept to her black-and-white theme with a pair of classic black shades, which she removed while appearing before the King (see below).
Fresh from starring in Prada’s spring/summer 2026 campaign, Mulligan was joined at the castle by her Mumford and Sons musician husband Marcus Mumford, who wore a charcoal wool suit and soft pink tie that sutbly complemented the actresses’ outfit.
Mulligan said of receiving the award: “I feel so unbelievably lucky to get do a job that I really, really love.
“To have this kind of recognition on top, is just sort of extraordinary to me.”
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She was also quizzed about who the next James Bond should be, as she is set to star alongside former 007 Daniel Craig in Greta Gerwig’s upcoming Netflix film Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew.
The three-time Oscar nominee said: “Oh, my gosh, that’s so hard. Really hard, isn’t it?
“He’s got big shoes to fill. I think the thing about Daniel is that he was an extraordinary actor, I don’t think he was sort of the person you would have thought of for that part.
“I think the main thing is it’s just got to be someone who’s an incredible actor.”
Meanwhile, Carey previously revealed that she doesn’t “feel famous” when she is at home with her family.
The Promising Young Woman actress – who has children Evelyn, eight, Wilfred, five, and a third child born in September 2023 whose name has not been publicly revealed, with Marcus – likened stepping into her showbiz life to walking into Doctor Who‘s famous Tardis as most of her friends aren’t in the entertainment industry.
Carey told Vogue magazine: “You know how in Doctor Who, there’s the Tardis, and it’s a phone booth, but when you step inside, you travel through time and space?
“Sometimes, that’s how my life feels … Like, most days I’m just me, I don’t feel famous when I’m out in the country, most of my friends aren’t in the industry, I have this nice, very regular life.
“And then every once in a while I step into a magic phone box, and – whoosh – I come out the other side in a designer gown and there are lights flashing everywhere.”
