Commemorating Queen Elizabeth II With Her Best Style Moments
As we remember her lasting impact and influence, we break down the late monarch’s most iconic outfits over the years.
The late Queen Elizabeth II was many things: Britain’s longest-reigning monarch, leader, mother, and even a fashion icon. At the end of her 96 years of life, the last 70 of which she spent as Her Majesty The Queen, Queen Elizabeth II can be remembered for so many qualities, including her tenacity, stability and unfailing strength.
But for those of us who knew her more as an icon of the formerly powerful British empire, it was possibly her fashion moments that were most familiar to us. We remember her penchant for monochromatic looks that became a signature of hers, especially in the last few decades of her life. Aside from her single-tone ensembles, she had many memorable looks throughout her life.
Ahead, we take a closer look at some of Queen Elizabeth II’s most iconic fashion moments, seen through the historic events that took place during her reign.
Back before she became the Queen of the United Kingdom, she was Princess Elizabeth of York. In 1947, she married the Duke of Edinburgh in an ivory silk gown, the material for which the then Princess had to use war ration clothing coupons. The wedding dress, designed by Norman Hartnell, was covered in crystals and imported pearls.
In her coronation gown, the Queen, then at just 27 years of age, acceded to the throne following the death of her father, King George VI, in 1952. This white duchess satin gown is special because in its intricate details lie the emblems of Great Britain, as well as the colours and flowers of the Commonwealth.
Then US President JFK and First Lady Jackie Kennedy visited the Queen and Prince Philip at Buckingham Palace in 1961. The blue tulle A-line gown was a more traditional choice, especially when positioned next to Jackie Kennedy’s sleek ice blue silk gown. But this look was one for the history books, freezing a moment in time when two of the most powerful couples on Earth at the time came together.
Queen Elizabeth never let boring style become synonymous with her name – and that’s clear in this pink and green ensemble that she wore to Malta in 1967 on an official visit. This double-breasted coat features an all-over botanical motif, that matches her hat which shows off an array of embellishments, including some 3D flowers.
That same year, Queen Elizabeth attended the premiere of Doctor DoLittle. She showed up in a lush fur wrap that she wore around a powder pink embellished gown. Not forgetting the accessories – she carried a small sequined purse on her arm and kept her jewellery single-toned.
One of the Queen’s most distinct hats was this purple piece. The feathers brought an interesting detail to this monochromatic look that she wore while on tour in the Solomon Islands in 1982. The light polka-dotted dress is also a fun choice, with particular attention paid to the translucent sleeves.
The Queen showed the versatility of the bubblegum hue in another pink number, this time while in attendance of a banquet in Budapest, Hungary in 1993 with Prince Philip. She donned the Girls of Great Britain and Ireland tiara to complete the vibrant look.
Queen Elizabeth was a beacon of energy in this colourful sequined top and canary-yellow floor-length skirt. Her matching purse and heels tie in the look and round out the vivid tones in this outfit. She wore this spirited ensemble to attend the Royal Variety Performance at the Birmingham Hippodrome in 1999.
When she visited Montego Bay in Jamaica in 2002, the Queen wore this bright green polka-dotted number. The drop-waist bias-cut dress, finished with the pleated skirt is a lesson in the finer details, that’s for sure. The small bows on her heeled pumps layer just enough whimsy onto a look already bursting with youth.
In 2003, for the Cartier International Polo in Windsor, Queen Elizabeth II picked out a bright blue floral pattern set. To retain her classic royalty elegance, the Queen accessorised with a diamond bar brooch and modest pearls, and her hat also matches the blue tone of her garments perfectly.
For the royal wedding of her grandson Prince William and his wife Kate Middleton in 2011, the Queen selected a soft, sunny yellow ensemble. Of course, she topped the look off with a top hat that matched the tone of her dress and coat. Keeping the palette of the look light, her white bag and cream-coloured heeled pumps made the perfect accessories.
The Queen celebrated her Diamond Jubilee, her 60th year as reigning monarch of the UK in 2012. She wore a puffy, upside-down saucer hat that featured soft pleats. The coat she donned for the occasion was packed with little details that we adore – the frilly, folds and gold and silver flat studs that added just the right amount of glam.
When she turned 90, the Queen opted for a soft lime-green coat and kept her hair wrapped up in one of her favourite accessories – a head scarf. Her choice of black shoes and handbag ground the look, keeping the outfit from looking too light.
The double-breasted houndstooth grey coat Queen Elizabeth wore while leaving the church at Sandringham in 2020 remains one of her best looks to date. The classic style of the coat complements the fun style of her hat, with its decorative floral elements. Her glossy handbag is another key detail we love.
At her Platinum Jubilee just earlier this year, Queen Elizabeth wore a baby blue coat finished with white beaded embroidery trimming. Needless to say, her hat was an exact match to the soft sky blue coat. Aside from the intricate brooch, the jewellery was kept simple and classy, with some elegant pearl earrings and a tiered pearl necklace.
Hidden in the art of dressing up for public appearances was Queen Elizabeth II’s subtlest but greatest act of service to her devoted subjects. No matter what she wore, one thing never changed – she made it a point to be noticed. She wanted to make sure her people could always spot her from afar, and say “I saw the Queen!”
