The Queen will always be associated with vibrant colour block outfits with matching hats and coats. But there was a very generous reason she opted for the eye-catching attire and it’s just another example of her servant heart.
“What are you wearing?” is a question asked of celebrities at every red-carpet event. We are fascinated with people’s fashion choices, particularly women’s (and that’s a whole other issue entirely). Is that because we’re nosey? Or we want to know how much they spent and swoon over clothes we could never afford? Or is it because the way people dress is an expression of their character and creativity?
When it comes to clothes, there was no one who had such a steadfast style as Her Majesty The Queen. The press lens and public gaze were on her Queen Elizabeth throughout her seventy years reign. From Christmas day broadcasts to royal weddings, what our monarch was wearing was the focus of many an Instagram post and tabloid article.
Fashion designer Anne Klein said: “Clothes aren’t going to change the world but the women who wear them will.” and that was certainly true when it came to The Queen. She was the longest reigning monarch in British History and saw the world completely change around her, including the fashions.
I always found myself standing in ear shot of someone commenting: “The Queen looks lovely.”
Who could resist being in awe of the beautiful fresh faced 25-year-old in all her regal splendour at her coronation? It is a timeless image that is recognisable worldwide. The Queen sat elegantly wearing St. Edwards crown. The hefty piece of jewellery weighed more than 2kg, so it was no wonder the Queen quipped “is it still heavy?” when she saw it again years later.
The world flocked to see the Queen in all her splendour, particularly at royal weddings. At both Prince William and Prince Harry’s weddings, the world waited with baited breath to see what the bride would wear, followed closely by admiring the ensemble of the Queen. She would never disappoint and I always found myself standing in ear shot of someone commenting: “The Queen looks lovely.” Her style was timeless and vibrant. And while fashions changed, Her Majesty’s style was timeless.
The Queen chose the brightly coloured outfits so her public could say “I saw the Queen” when she was in a crowd.
In the modern era we talk of sustainable fashion and the Queen was regularly seen recycling outfits. Her Tiffany-blue coat was worn at four different events. As the years went on the Royal’s style grew to bright colours, as she would usually don her familiar colourful two pieces with a matching coat. It became her signature look. Artists could draw just the silhouette of her outfit and we would instantly know it was The Queen. The eye-catching outfits also showed how much she cared about connecting with her public. Sophie Countess of Wessex revealed that The Queen chose the brightly coloured outfits so her public could say “I saw the Queen” when she was in a crowd of thousands of people. This shows how the Queen used her fashion not only as a statement, but as a tool to connect with the people that she had given her life to serve.
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