Through her tenure as queen, the British monarch, Queen Elizabeth II has donned several jaw-dropping outfits, most of which made it to the tabloids.
Being in the public eye for over six decades as one of the most important figures in the world meant taking extra steps to keep up in the fashion department. So far, the Queen of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth, Queen Elizabeth II, has not been found wanting.
The 94-year-old royalty stands out for her poise, grace, and more glaringly, her colorful attires. Remarkably, Queen Elizabeth’s fashion has evolved through the years with the changing times. From her contemporary regal looks in the 30s to more ball-worthy adornments in the 50s, and eventually, adopting her signature colorful coat-on-hat appearance in the last decade.
One can’t help but wonder how this British monarch manages to keep up flawlessly with current fashion trends. But then again, with such trailblazing designers as Hardy Amies, Freddie Fox, Stewart Parvin, and Angela Kelly, who could go wrong?
These are some of Queen Elizabeth’s most iconic moments that swept the world of fashion.
1. QUEEN ELIZABETH II IN AN EVENING GOWN IN 1951
The then-princess Elizabeth showed up for an evening function in City Chambers, Glasgow, in formal evening wear. The beautiful royalty easily became the cynosure of all eyes, with her fur shawl, classy necklace, and signature white gloves worn over a satiny light-colored dress. She looked every definition of royalty.
2. A CONCERT AT THE ROYAL FESTIVAL HALL IN 1953
In 1953, the governments of New Zealand and Australia hosted a ball in honor of The Queen at the Royal Festival Hall. The event, which was in celebration of the royalties tour of the countries, had the monarch donning a light-colored ball-gown paired with white gloves, pearl earrings, a necklace, and her regal crown. She was the guest of honor and rightly dressed the part.
3. THE QUEEN STORMED NIGERIA IN 1956
Visiting Nigeria, one of the Commonwealth nations, in 1956, the Queen of the United Kingdom once more flaunted her enviable wardrobe. Queen Elizabeth kept it simple in a colorful A-line cut gown paired with a pearl necklace, a handbag, and comfortable heels.
4. A SEQUINED DRESS TO THE INDIAN EMBASSY IN 1961
Another time Queen Elizabeth’s wardrobe combination sent eyes turning was during her visit to the Indian Embassy in London in 1961. The monarch looked glamorous in a sequined dress. Her white fur shawl and a pair of diamond earrings completed the jaw-dropping appearance.
5. HER MAJESTY AT THE ARCHER’S HALL IN EDINBURGH IN 1972
Queen Elizabeth II thrilled patrons at the Archers Hall in Edinburgh when she arrived in a yellow gown, which sported a matching cape. For the occasion, the mother-of-four donned the Order of the Thistle over her attire while clutching a silver purse.
6. WELCOMING THE WHITE HOUSE COUPLE IN WHITE IN 2011
For one of her most memorable events since becoming queen, the monarch wore a white ankle-length gown. She paired this with a gold handbag and matching shoes. Her contemporary dressing spawned royalty as she welcomed the first African-American president of the United States, Barack Obama, and his wife, Michelle, to the United Kingdom.
7. QUEEN ELIZABETH’S OUTFIT REFLECTS HER EMOTIONS AT HER GRANDSON’S WEDDING IN 2011
If outfits were anything to go by, Queen Elizabeth II was unarguably the happiest person at her grandson, Prince William’s 2011 wedding to Kate Middleton. The British monarch was all smiles in her custom bright yellow coat dress at Westminster Abbey.
Her white pair of shoes and a matching handbag made her appearance even more glamorous. She topped off the classy dressing with a yellow hat. Also accentuating the look was a silver brooch hung on the coat dress.
8. THE QUEEN STUNS IN SILVER AT THE 2012 ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE
Keeping up with the current fashion trend, Queen Elizabeth embraced the monochrome look in 2012, when she graced the Royal Albert Hall for the Royal variety Performance. She stunned the audience in a sequined silver dress, paired with a matching metallic handbag and shoes.
9. THE MONARCH UNVEILED THE ELIZABETH LINE IN 2016
Queen Elizabeth’s wardrobe is undoubtedly legendary. As proof of her impeccable fashion style, she has inspired several clothing lines with top design companies, including Dolce and Gabbana.
In 2016, the royalty unveiled a line of Crossrail outfits named after her. For the occasion, she donned a purple outfit from the Elizabeth Line, complete with a matching hat, diamond brooch, and a pair of black gloves.
10. QUEEN ELIZABETH II AT THE SCIENCE MUSEUM IN 2019
Her majesty’s go-to coat dress can never go wrong, especially when combined with her signature floral outfit. She wore the remarkable ensemble at its best in 2019 during her visit to the Science museum in London.
Queen Elizabeth donned an orange buttoned-up coat dress sporting a gold brooch over a floral gown. She completed the royal outfit with a black handbag, a pair of black shoes, and matching hand gloves. Of course, an orange-colored hat topped off the classy appearance.
There you have it! Ten of the Queen’s most iconic outfits of all time set to birth a new fashion era. Which was your favorite?