When we picture Queen Elizabeth II, it’s easy to remember her in bold colours, a wardrobe designed specifically to allow her to stand out.
She once quipped that “If I wore beige, nobody would know who I am,” but her flair for vivid, high-octane dressing often had even more strategy behind it than most realised.
Ascending the throne as a young woman, Queen Elizabeth II would put her own spin on the fashions of the era, and opted to continue with her bright wardrobe across her 70-year reign. There was always a lot of thought behind her sartorial choices, and signals to decode; from the meaning behind the brooches she wore, to the pieces that showed familiarity and an informal approach (usually a silk scarf).
We’re paying tribute to some of the Queen’s greatest looks across the decades.
November, 1947
The Queen married Prince Philip in 1947, just two years after World War II came to an end. She purchased her dress using clothing ration coupons, as was common for the brides of that era - although the government gave her a few extra to help cover the cost of her Norman Hartnell gown. The dress itself was made of ivory silk and duchess satin, and featured a 15-foot train.
Image: Getty.
