If you think of the combination of fashion and the royal family, you will quickly end up with Máxima or the British princess Catherine. But the British Queen Elizabeth (96) is also a trendsetter in her own way. The queen, now celebrating 70 years on the throne, is an avid collector of fashion and beauty items.
The queen can be drawn in a suit with hat, gloves, pearl necklace and brooch. “Her clothing also exudes that Elizabeth is queen,” said Caroline de Guitaut, curator of exhibitions around the British royal’s clothing. Elizabeth does not opt for dull colors, but for bright and striking shades. Such as pink, purple and bright blue.
She chooses her headwear with the help of hat stylist Rachel Trevor-Morgan. He said that the hats should leave the queen’s face uncovered and not get in the way when moving. Also important – especially in rainy England – is that the hats are not easily blown away or damaged when the weather is wet.
A striking color of clothing with a hat, pearl necklace, brooch and her Clarins lipstick: that’s how the queen can always be drawn.
A striking color of clothing with a hat, pearl necklace, brooch and her Clarins lipstick: that’s how the queen can always be drawn. Photo: BrunoPress
Also a bag is not missing when the queen is out. Her favorite is a black, leather Launer that she’s had for over fifty years. It seems that when Elizabeth transfers her bag to another arm, it is a signal to her staff. In doing so, she indicates that someone has to rescue her from a boring, uncomfortable or too long conversation.
Where Elizabeth still wore a lot of fur in the past, these garments are now out of the question, according to her stylist Angela Kelly. That decision was made after animal activists regularly protested against the queen’s use of fur. Since 2019 she only wears faux fur to keep herself warm.
Launer’s purse is rarely missing from the British Queen’s arm.
Launer’s purse is rarely missing from the British Queen’s arm. Photo: BrunoPress
Elizabeth always wears make-up and, according to her dresser, always applies it herself† With one exception: for the annual Christmas speech, the queen always makes a professional make-up.
Clarins make-up brand is said to be one of Elizabeth’s absolute favorites. Before being crowned, she asked the brand to create a special shade of lipstick that would match perfectly with the dress she was wearing that day. It is described as a beautiful wine: “Deep ruby red, with soft undertones”. The lipstick was subsequently released to the public and is still for sale under the name ‘Joli Rouge’.
Her nails are not often seen because she often wears gloves. Still, Elizabeth would not want to wear anything other than the color Ballet Slippers from the budget brand Essie, a translucent, natural color. The brand writes on its website that the queen’s hairdresser asked if she could have a pot for Elizabeth in 1989. Since then, no other nail polish would have been used in her manicure.