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Queen Elizabeth II stood as one of the most iconic figures of her era, her fashion sense quietly distinctive yet deeply emblematic. Throughout her seven-decade reign, she maintained a visual consistency that combined practicality with subtle messaging. From the bold hats and vivid coats worn at formal engagements to the simpler tweeds, tartans, and headscarves favored in informal moments, her wardrobe choices reflected both her personality and her role. Each garment was carefully crafted not only for beauty but often carried undertones of diplomacy and British stability.
An exhibition at The King’s Gallery in Buckingham Palace commemorating the centenary of the Queen’s birth offers a unique look at her wardrobe spanning ten decades and mirroring Britain’s changes under her reign. Among over 200 displayed items ranging from clothing to jewelry and accessories, five standout outfits encapsulate her style evolution and the meanings behind them. One such piece is the tweed jacket and tartan skirt ensemble from the 1950s, designed by her dressmaker Norman Hartnell. This outfit, practical for outdoor activities and modest in tone, was crafted to promote British fashion and manufacture. Marian Kwei, a royal fashion commentator and Vogue contributor, explains that the choice of fabrics and design quietly communicated “stability, dependence, soft power,” with a message of leadership that was assertive yet understated.
Another remarkable highlight is the Coronation dress worn in 1953, also by Hartnell, exemplifying exquisite British craftsmanship. Made from Kent-produced silk and adorned with delicate gold bugle beads, diamantés, and pearls, the gown bore symbolic embroidery representing the four nations of the UK—England’s Tudor rose, Scotland’s thistle, Wales’s leek, and Ireland’s shamrock—as well as emblems from Commonwealth countries like Canada’s maple leaf and India’s lotus flower. This choice reflected Queen Elizabeth’s concept of monarchy and governance, emphasizing unity and inclusivity across Britain and the Commonwealth. Kwei remarks, “The gown was pretty much a nod to Britain and the Commonwealth.”
The Queen’s fashion on the world stage included memorable pieces such as the green bejeweled sleeveless gown worn during a 1957 state banquet for US President Dwight Eisenhower. While its design did not overtly convey a particular message, the dress’s striking “apple crisp green” hue was suggested by Kwei to subtly reference American culture—possibly alluding to New York’s nickname “The Big Apple” and the iconic status of American apple pie. Elizabeth II’s fashion choices
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