The Queen Elizabeth II – Style File

11:00 AM

It was June 1953 when 27-year-old Princess Elizabeth ascended to the throne and became the Queen of England and ruler of much of the free world. With over 23,000 days on the throne under her belt, Queen Elizabeth II has now commemorated her Silver, Golden, Diamond and Sapphire Jubilees, becoming Britain’s longest reigning monarch. During her 65 years in power, she has used her wardrobe to convey an image of a stately world leader and was aided – to this end – by two couturiers in particular: Norman Hartnell and Hardy Amies. Hartnell was the designer commissioned to create her coronation and wedding gowns and many of the shimmering satin confections that she wore to glamorous state occasions, while Amies primarily took care of Her Majesty’s daytime wardrobe. Over the years, the Queen has become famous for wearing bright, block colours, pearl necklaces, pristine white gloves, headscarves and plaid skirts. Now her style is iconic, with her Launer handbags instantly recognisable and synonymous with her and Dolce & Gabbana basing an entire collection around her signature looks. Look back at the amazing fashion history of Queen Elizabeth II below.

Princess Elizabeth at St Paul’s Walden Bury, home to her maternal Grandparents, the Earl and Countess of Strathmore, in 1927. Born in April 1926, Princess Elizabeth was one when this picture was taken.

Princess Elizabeth takes her dog for a walk in London. She was not expected to become Queen at this point, although she was third in line to the throne. The Princess’s early years were primarily spent at 145 Piccadilly, her parent’s London house.

The future Queen Elizabeth II at Abergeldie Castle in Scotland at the age of seven.

Wearing matching plaid kilts and knitted sweaters, Princess Elizabeth (right), held the Pembrokeshire corgi in her arms as the dog received a biscuit from her younger sister, Princess Margaret.

Princess Elizabeth in the grounds of her London home, 145 Piccadilly with her beloved corgi.

Queen Elizabeth and King George VI were pictured arriving with Princess Elizabeth, then aged 11, and Princess Margaret at Central Hall, Westminster, for the coronation concert for children. The sisters wore the same tailored dress coat with contrast-trim lapels and matching ribbon-adorned hats.

King George VI of England on his Coronation Day with his wife Elizabeth, princesses Elizabeth and Margaret and his mother, Queen Mary

Princess Elizabeth (right) and Princess Margaret in London after a children’s party.

On her 14th birthday, and in riding gear, the young Princess Elizabeth was pictured picking daffodils in Windsor Great Park. The Princess and her sister were moved to Windsor a month later, as the danger from Luftwaffe bombings increased.

Princess Elizabeth reading at Windsor Castle, Berkshire, 22 June 1940, nearly a year into the Second World War.

The Queen Mother with Princess Margaret and Princess Elizabeth at Windsor Castle, on 8 July 1941. Their London home, Buckingham Palace had been hit 4 months earlier by a German bomb. The family refused to leave Britain, against Foreign Office advice. Their clothing was rationed from June 1941 on, as it was for all other children in the United Kingdom.

Princess Elizabeth learns to tie a knot with the girl guides in Frogmore, Windsor on April 11, 1942. Shortly after this photograph was taken, her father the King made her Colonel of the Grenadier Guards. She subsequently applied for official war work when she turned 16.

Princess Elizabeth and her younger sister Princess Margaret Rose with a land girl at harvest time, Sandringham, Norfolk, 17th August 1943.

Princess Elizabeth and sister Princess Margaret arrive at Westminster Abbey for the wedding of Lady Anne Spencer (the future aunt of Diana, Princess of Wales) and Lieutenant Christopher Wake-Walker.

Princess Elizabeth in her uniform as a second subaltern in the ATS, 1945. On 8th May 1945, peace was declared in Europe, and the Princess and her sister celebrated anonymously among the crowds outside Buckingham Palace.

Princess Elizabeth chatting with her father, King George VI on 8th July 1946.

The royal family arrive at the London Palladium for the Royal Variety Performance, 5th November 1946

Princess Elizabeth and her fiancé, Philip Mountbatten, revealed they were to marry on the 10th of July, 1947. The pair had been friends for many years and they had corresponded by letter through the latter years of the war.

Princess Elizabeth and her fiancé arrive at the Caledonian Hotel in Edinburgh to attend a dinner given by the Duchess of Buccleugh.

The ivory silk dress Princess Elizabeth wore on her wedding day was designed by Norman Hartnell, and was inspired by Botticelli’s painting of *Primavera*. The gown was embroidered with white seed pearls, imported from America, silver thread, sparkling crystals and transparent appliqué tulle embroidery. A 13-foot train was attached at the shoulders and a silk tulle veil covered the Princess’ face. The satin bridal shoes were created by Edward Rayne. At the time the dress was made, the country was still suffering the financial aftermath of the Second World War and the Queen famously saved her ration cards to pay for her dress.

Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret at the unveiling of Franklin D. Roosevelt’s British memorial in London.

Princess Elizabeth chatting to Mme Bidault, wife of the French minister Georges Bidault, in the garden of the Palace of Versailles. She is wearing Norman Hartnell.

The Queen holds her eldest son and heir, Prince Charles, following his christening service at Buckingham Palace. Prince Charles wears the royal christening gown, which was also worn by his mother, made for Queen Victoria’s eldest daughter’s christening in 1841.

Princess Elizabeth attends the opening of the Royal Windsor Horse Show at Windsor Home Park, 12th May 1949. On the left is Geoffrey Cross, who founded the show in 1943.

For an official royal portrait, the future Queen wore her personally owned tiara, known as The Girls of Great Britain and Ireland Tiara. It was a wedding present from her grandmother, Queen Mary, on her marriage to Philip Mountbatten, and had originally been gifted to Mary as a wedding present in 1893.

Princess Elizabeth looked every inch the future Queen of England when she arrived at the Royal Opera House in this regal white gown covered with intricate embroidery.

Two years before she was crowned the Queen of England, she wore a floral dress with pearls for this photograph with one of her corgis.

Princess Elizabeth and Prince Charles watching a procession, during the visit of Queen Juliana of the Netherlands from the wall of Clarence House, London, 22nd November 1950.

Politician and tennis player Lady Domini Crosfield goes into tea with her guest, Princess Elizabeth, during one of the annual tennis parties given by Lady Crosfield at her mansion, Witanhurst, in Highgate, London, August 1951.

The Duke of Edinburgh dances with his wife, Princess Elizabeth, at a square dance held in their honour in Ottawa, by Governor General Viscount Alexander, 17th October 1951.

Norman Hartnell was commissioned to create the gown that Elizabeth wore when she became Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

Queen Elizabeth II with two dogs at Balmoral Castle in Scotland, 28th September 1952.

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip leave the House of Assembly in Hamilton, during a Commonwealth Visit to Bermuda, November 1953.

Queen Elizabeth II on her Royal Tour of Australia – Lord Mayor of Sydney Pat Hills lightly touched Queen Elizabeth on their way in to a ball, causing a press sensation due to the breach of etiquette. He said later on that he was concerned she might fall.

Queen Elizabeth II with Government minister Makaman Bida during her Commonwealth visit to Nigeria, February 1956.

Queen Elizabeth II at Badminton House, Gloucestershire, for the Badminton Horse Trials, April 1956. In the background (left) are Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh and the Queen Mother.

Queen Elizabeth II of England welcoming US President Dwight Eisenhower to the British Embassy in Washington D.C. The Queen is wearing the Vladimir Tiara with emerald drops, and the Cambridge and Dehli Durbar Necklace. Both pieces of jewellery were created for Queen Mary.

Queen Elizabeth II, the Queen of the United Kingdom, and her husband and consort, Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh.

Wearing a smart single-breasted coat with a matching hat and a leopard print scarf, she was joined by her eight-year-old daughter Princess Anne and one of the family’s corgis for an official visit to Liverpool Street Station in London.

She wore a lemon lace dress and matching jacket for a cocktail party at Windsor given by the 1st Battalion Irish Guards. The party marked the climax of a good day for the Queen – her horse, Above Suspicion, won at Ascot, and Prince Philip played in a polo match later in the day at Windsor Park.

Queen Elizabeth II at Epsom Downs Racecourse for the Oaks Stakes, Surrey, shortly before giving birth to her second son, Prince Andrew.

At Buckingham Palace during a banquest held in his honor, American President John F. Kennedy and his wife, First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy, pose with Queen Elizabeth and her husband, Prince Philip. Mrs. Kennedy’s dress was designed by Chez Ninon while the Queen wore a Hartnell gown.

The Queen wears a warm leopard-skin coat on a very cold March day at the Sandown Park race meeting. With her is the Queen Mother.

The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh pictured in London.

Queen Elizabeth presents new colours to the RAF at Buckingham Palace.

Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip with Jackie Kennedy and her children John Jr. and Caroline during the inauguration of Britain’s Kennedy memorial at Runnymede.

Queen Elizabeth reviewed the Royal Observer Corps at the headquarters of Royal Air Force Fighter Command, Middlesex. She is wearing one of three ‘Bow’ diamond brooches made for Queen Victoria by Garrard, in 1858.

The Queen wore a pink and green patterned double-breasted coat by Hardy Amies for a royal visit to Malta. Her Majesty is also wearing one of her favourite brooches, the Cullinan V Brooch, made by Garrard in 1911. The Queen owns several pieces of jewellery featuring the largest stones cut from the Cullinan diamond, the largest ever found.

Princess Anne and the Queen gave four-year-old Prince Edward a swing while out in the grounds of Frogmore in Windsor. While Anne opted for a bold yellow dress with a short hemline, her mother chose a demure mint green two-piece skirt suit.

The Queen at the controls of a tube train at Green Park station as she opens the new section of the Victoria Line on the London Underground.

Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip visit Sydney on their Royal Commonwealth Tour, 1970.

Queen Elizabeth, pictured with U.S. President Richard Nixon, right, and Britain’s Prime Minister Edward Heath at Chequers, Buckinghamshire, in 1970

Queen Elizabeth II and Thailand’s King Bhumipol Adulyadej inspect the troops in Thailand. They are the longest reigning living monarchs in the world, King Bhumipol having reigned since he was 18 years old.

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip visit a farm on the Balmoral estate in Scotland, during their Silver Wedding anniversary year.

Prince Charles, Prince Edward, Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Philip, Prince Andrew and Princess Anne posed for a family portrait at Buckingham Palace. For the occasion, Her Majesty wore a Hardy Amies pale blue, long-sleeve shift dress and brown heels.

Queen Elizabeth walks to Church at Badminton, Gloustershire, England.

The Queen followed by her husband Prince Philip, right, look at an exhibition of broom making during a visit to an ‘Old Canada’ exhibition, in High Park, Toronto, on June 25.

Queen Elizabeth ll arrives at Aberdeen Airport with her corgis to start her holidays in Balmoral, Scotland in 1974.

HM Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh relax with their corgis and a newspaper at Balmoral Castle in 1974 in Balmoral, Scotland.

Queen Elizabeth visits an ancient pyramid during her state visit to Mexico.

Queen Elizabeth with a group of local children during her state visit to Mexico, February-March 1975

Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain at a market stall during a royal tour of Hong Kong.

President Ford and Queen Elizabeth dance during the state dinner in honor of the Queen and Prince Philip at the White House. July 7, 1976.

Queen Elizabeth opening The National Theatre In London

Queen Elizabeth II steps gamely into a puddle during her visit to New Zealand, 1977.

Queen Elizabeth II leaving Hamilton, New Zealand

Queen Elizabeth II at Covent Garden Opera House, London, May 30, 1977. Her Majesty is wearing the Burmese Ruby Tiara and the Baring Ruby Necklace.

Peter Phillips, Princess Anne and HM The Queen Elizabeth II

The Queen reading newspapers during her flight home from Bridgetown, Barbados, on Concorde after her Silver Jubilee tour of Canada and the West Indies.

The Queen on a state visit to Germany, at the Columbus Quay, Bremerhaven.

The Queen made a rare appearance in trousers when she, Prince Andrew and Prince Philip were on safari at the Luangwa National Park in Zambia during their tour of Africa in 1979.

She didn’t have a hair out of place when she donned a pussy-bow blouse, a checked shirt, a brown cardigan and sunglasses to walk her dogs during the Windsor horse trials.

The Queen with Earl Spencer at the wedding of his daughter Diana Spencer, to Prince Charles at St Paul’s Cathedral. Her Majesty is wearing the Williamson Diamond Brooch designed for her by Cartier in 1953, featuring an enormous 23.6 carat pink diamond as a ‘jonquil’ flower.

The Queen in relaxed clothing at the Royal Windsor Horse Show.

Queen Elizabeth toasts President Ronald Reagan at a banquet during the Queen’s official visit to the US in March 1983 in San Francisco, California.

Her Majesty wore a coordinating dress and cape, which was secured with a brooch, for the polo at the Guards Polo Club.

The Queen in her office at Buckingham Palace.

In a bright pink Hardy Amies coat during her tour of New Zealand.

Her Majesty at the Order of the Thistle service in Edinburgh, Scotland. For special occasions, members of the order wear an elaborate costume with a dark green velvet mantle, black velvet hat with plume, and the star of the Order of the Thistle.

The Queen and Princess Anne wore matching buttercup yellow ensembles to the Derby at Epsom Downs in the Eighties.

Queen Elizabeth II – Style File

by VOGUE

11:00 AM

Queen Elizabeth II Style

The Queen Elizabeth II – Style File

Queen Elizabeth II – Style File

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