Few outfits in Breath of the Wild can match the beauty, the artistry, and the sheer elegance of Link’s Royal Guard set and Zelda’s Royal Dress. These garbs have a classiness that has inspired hundreds of pictures of the princess and her chosen knight dancing together at fancy balls. They also inspired cosplayer Yungahsoka to put their costuming skills to the test as both projects required a tremendous amount of detail due to the many elements of each.
Layers and layers of details abound in Yungahsoka’s beautiful rendition of Link’s Royal Guard outfit. The hat sits jauntily atop Link’s head with a perfectly molded crest of the Hyrulean Royal Family. Layered on top of the tunic is Link’s cape which has been immaculately recreated. The diamond-shaped buttons and golden hems are impressive enough, but it’s the braided cord that stands out to me the most. While I can generally understand the idea of how to sew, the complicated nature of this crimson cord leaves me completely astonished and unsure of how Yungahsoka possibly created it. The cherry on top of this cosplay is the tiniest detail: Link’s small earring that adds just the right amount of flair.
Before moving onto the rest of the photos, we have to give credit to the photographer @sorairo_days because the masterful composition of this particular image tells an exquisite story between the princess and the knight. In the foreground, Link stands at attention with a serious look on his face and hand across his chest as if pledging himself to his charge all over again. Princess Zelda is slightly out of focus in the background which, along with Link’s solemn appearance, hints at a formality between the two. A small detail reveals the truth though. The princess’s hand lays on Link’s shoulder. To the casual observer, this may be overlooked. Between the heroic pair though, it’s a sign of the connection they have. Zelda knows Link and the pressure he silently faces, and he in turn knows of her passion for Sheikah tech and her relentless pursuit to unlock her hidden power. Through the framing of the subjects, @sorairo_days reveals the friendship that has developed between these two iconic heroes.
We get another, closer look at Link’s Royal Guard tunic in the second picture. In the process, we see the incredible stitching on Link’s chest, with the embroidered emblems of the Triforce being particularly impressive. The gloves and belt are also worth mentioning because of the details. The tiny buckles on Link’s pristine gloves and the golden molding are so awe inspiring because of the way Yungahsoka has noticed and crafted even this most miniscule of features.
Looking at this photo, we cannot ignore the majestic Master Sword. Yungahsoka has managed to mold the sword with so many iconic details ranging from the sweeping wings and golden diamond of the hilt to the Triforce engraving on the blade itself. A unique detail to this newest forging of the Sword that Seals the Darkness is the golden outline following the sweep of the sword’s edge. The golden color immediately calls to mind the Triforce, making it seem like the sword is filled with the holy power of the goddesses.
The final photo leaves the hero behind to focus on the beauty of the princess. The pleating of the snowy skirt as it flares out around the seated royalty is elegant and delicate. The crispness of the golden detailing on the belt, hem of the cloak, wrist guards,and armbands is also impressive in how detailed it is. My favorite feature though is the tiny, repeating pattern that covers the blue fabric. The pattern almost reminds me of French royalty due to the pattern looking vaguely like a fleur-de-lis which is often associated with French heraldry. This tiny touch only adds to the majestic feeling of this piece.
Through their combined talents, Yungahsoka and Sorairo_days create an awe-inspiring set of costumes that capture the romance and fancy of this fan-favorite set of clothing. All the hours of sewing, molding, and embroidering paid off in a photo session that is equally stunning as it cleverly speaks to the telling bond between the princess and the knight.
