Queen Elizabeth II was known for her unwavering service to Great Britain and the Commonwealth of Nations for 70 years, but will forever be remembered for her regal sense of style.
The late Queen, who died on September 8, 2022 at the age of 96, was as much a fashion icon as Princess Diana and Kate Middleton in her youth, inspiring trends and embracing the latest designers from the 1950s, 1960s and beyond. I was.
An expert in “diplomatic attire,” the Queen often weaves iconic elements and colors into her outfits, giving herself similar touches to young royals such as the new Princess of Wales and Meghan Markle and the Duchess of Sussex. I encourage you to incorporate it into your wardrobe.
Additionally, many of Her Majesty’s jewels and tiaras, as well as a particularly striking gown, are also shared with other members of the monarchy, ensuring that these priceless pieces live on.
The latest episode of “Royal Roundtable” (and below) explores the lasting impact some of the Queen’s most iconic outfits have.
Wedding dress (1947)
When Princess Elizabeth married Prince Philip on November 20, 1947, she walked down the aisle in a stunning Norman Hartnell wedding dress covered in 10,000 seed pearls and intricate embroidery.
The women in England were so excited about their wedding that they mailed their own post-WWII ration vouchers to the Princess so they could use them for expensive designs. It had to be, but the touching gesture showed how much people care about the future queen.
Coronation Gown (1953)
Queen Elizabeth II has made sure her coronation dress reflects her new role, not just in Britain, but across the Commonwealth of Nations. Her Norman Her Hartnell short-sleeved gown was painted with national symbols such as the English Her Rose, the Scottish Thistle, the Irish Shamrock, and the Australian Wattle.
More than 60 years later, Meghan Markle took a similar approach with her wedding veil hand-embroidered with Commonwealth botanicals, alongside the wintersweet and California poppies that grow on the grounds of Kensington Palace. to her birth state.
“Lawrence of Arabia” premiere look (1962)
The Queen adopted another Norman Hartnell design for the glamorous premiere of Lawrence of Arabia in 1962, and a sleeveless gown in ivory taffeta studded with diamante accents was later reinvented at the royal wedding. breathed life into it.
In 2020, Princess Beatrice “borrowed” and “old” her grandmother’s dress when she swore vows to Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi at a secret wedding attended by Her Majesty and Prince Philip. One touching detail was the tiara. The same one her Queen wore at her own wedding in 1947.
At Home in Balmoral (1967)
Over the years, Her Majesty the Queen embraced uniform dress when on official business, usually wearing a colorful coat and a matching dress (often floral) underneath, and of course, a bright hat.
But even when she was off duty, she stuck to her uniform: Scottish tartans and English tweeds, cardigans (she favored the House of Brewer style), hunter boots, patterned headscarves, and barbour coats. was wearing
Flamboyant kilts were a favorite of the late monarch, and she would sometimes wear a special Balmoral tartan designed by her great-great-grandfather, Prince Albert.
Visit to Ireland (2011)
Diplomatic attire became even more important when Her Majesty the Queen visited Ireland in 2011, becoming the first British monarch to visit the country in 100 years (her grandfather, King George V, visited Ireland in 1911). visited Ireland).
Wearing a floral dress to match a green coat by Stewart Parvin and a hat by Rachel Trevor-Morgan, the Queen sent a message of unity with her outfit and delivered a speech beginning with one in Irish, It surprised the crowd.
Since then, while on international tours, both Middleton and Markle alike have honored their host countries by wearing their colors.
Trooping the Color (2016)
The Queen has been memed! Her Majesty the Queen once famously said she had to be seen to be believed. She chose Stewart for her 90th birthday. Her parvin neon, amazingly bright colors, like her green coat and her hat, so you can always spot her in a crowd. was often worn. 2016 celebration.
As well as the hashtag #neonat90, Lime’s outfit quickly went viral on social media, with many sharing the “green screen” meme. Known for her sense of humor, Her Majesty must have liked her.
