Lifestyle

Decoding the Queen’s colorful style


Written by Leah Dolan, CNN

Contributors Video: Angelica Pursley, CNN; Max Burnell, CNN

As Britain’s longest-reigning monarch, the Queen is both a treasured and consistent part of public life – her image is synonymous with stability and tradition for the British people.

As the masses gather and wait in earnest to catch a glimpse of the Queen, the color she comes out in is more important than you might think. Standing at 5 feet 3 inches tall, vibrant colors like yellow, fuschia, purple, chartreuse, and periwinkle make her easier to spot in large crowds. The Queen’s bold wardrobe is so special, it has created entire books dedicated to documenting each radiant outfit. In “Our Rainbow Queen,” Welsh journalist Sali Hughes notes the Queen’s color wheel considerations: “(she) will not wear green to grassy locations, nor will the color dark for dark upholstery.”

The monarch’s commitment to a vibrant palette is a sign of respect for those who have taken the time to support her. “She needed to stand out so people could say ‘I’ve seen the Queen,'” Sophie Rhys-Jones, Countess of Wessex, said in the 2016 documentary “The Queen at 90”.

The Queen's official 90th birthday at The Mall on 11 June 2016 in London, England.

The Queen’s official 90th birthday at The Mall on 11 June 2016 in London, England. Credit: DZY / FilmMagic / Getty Images

There is an art to dressing up one of the most photographed women in history. During her more than 60 years of reign, the Queen has amassed an army of staff, but few are trusted with the task of tailoring royal attire. British designers Norman Hartnell, Hardy Amies, Stewart Parvin and Angela Kelly have all helped develop her style – away from trend cycles that can quickly fall out of favor.

Kelly – an advisor to the Queen’s board of directors for nearly three decades and a confidant – has created a rigorous formula to ensure every one of her 300 annual engagements is a success. accumulate. From unsafe weighted hems and bet-worthy hats, to well-researched weather forecasts and local customs – the Queen’s attire is nothing if not clever. good.

The Queen during her visit to the Royal Australian Air Force Memorial on March 31, 2021 near Egham, England.

The Queen during her visit to the Royal Australian Air Force Memorial on March 31, 2021 near Egham, England. Credit: Image Steve Reigate / WPA Pool / Getty

Angela Kelly writes in her 2019 monarch-approved memoir, “The Other Side of the Coin”.

“I look for motion with lightweight materials, and can even turn on fans to see how they work in a light breeze… When the light changes or when Your Majesty moves to a zero space inside, this will affect the color and texture of the fabric, and this must be taken into account.”

The Queen carried her trusty Launer handbag while visiting Balmoral, Scotland in 1974.

The Queen carried her trusty Launer handbag while visiting Balmoral, Scotland in 1974. Credit: Anwar Hussein / Hulton Archive / Getty Images

Her monochrome look is often adorned with a three-strand pearl necklace and a glittering gold or silver brooch, while the glossy Launer handbag can often be found at the elbows. hers. These key accessories not only give the feel of the Queen’s ceremonial dress, but they are the kind of culmination of symbolism that viewers have come to expect and dissect – with many eager to discover the love stories. behind each item. For example, the hand-painted Centenary Rose Brooch was commissioned by the Queen as a 100th birthday present for the Queen Mother, which she took turns wearing during the Christmas broadcast less than a year after her mother’s death. life.

The Queen rides horses in Windsor House Park during the UK's May bank holiday weekend.

The Queen rides horses in Windsor House Park during the UK’s May bank holiday weekend. Credit: WPA Pool / Getty Images Europ

For languid afternoons strolling the grounds of Balmoral Estate in Scotland, the Queen quickly transitions away from her color-blocking haute couture and into countrywear made of tweed and tartan . Her attire is equally important, and often sets the mood for political deals. In 2016, when the Obamas arrived at Windsor Castle to meet the Queen for a third time, the Queen wore a silk scarf tied tightly under her chin (a prominent feature of her more casual attire), signaling her arrival. familiarity and an intimate tone.

The Queen wore a Rose Centenary Brooch in 2008.

The Queen wore a Rose Centenary Brooch in 2008. Credit: Max Mumby / Indigo / Getty Images

Fashion statement

Polite, relevant and always strategic – the Queen’s style choices are as much a form of diplomacy as they are expressions of identity.

In 2011, the Queen became the first British monarch to visit the Republic of Ireland since its founding – and the first to visit the country in a century.

The historic state visit is not to be taken lightly, with deft considerations conveying every detail of the trip down to the seams of her clothing. The Queen masterfully showcased fashion’s soft power potential, arriving in Dublin wearing a green coat and matching hat – Ireland’s de facto national color. Later on her visit, she donned a white silk gown decorated with more than 2,000 hand-embroidered scarves and an Irish harp brooch made from Swarovski crystals.

Early in her career, the Queen mastered the value of imaging and optics. Coming to power (and in age) during World War II, the young princess quickly became the image of hope and optimism in war-torn England. Either way, she ignited those flames – carefully building an image that conveys authority, luxury, and elegance. One of the most readily available sources is her wardrobe.

The Queen during her engagement to Prince Philip in 1947.

The Queen during her engagement to Prince Philip in 1947. Credit: Hulton Archive / Getty Images

In 1947, two years after the war ended, the Queen used clothes meal coupons to buy wedding dresses – a common practice among brides at the time. It was a normal gesture, even though His Majesty accepted Extra 200 coupons from the government to help cover costs. The duchess’s ivory and satin white silk dress with a 15-foot train, designed by Norman Hartnell.
Queen Elizabeth II watches as casket carriers carry the coffin of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh inside St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle on April 17, 2021.

Queen Elizabeth II watches as casket carriers carry the coffin of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh inside St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle on April 17, 2021. Credit: Yui Mok

At one of her recent public events – a funeral in tribute to her beloved husband, the Duke of Edinburgh – the Queen wore an all black suit. mourning tradition. Often seen in bold colors, the Queen’s sombre outfit is all the more poignant because of its rarity. Engraved on her coat is Richmond Brooch, a diamond-encrusted wedding gift given to Queen Mary in 1893. The Queen inherited the coat in 1953 and dressed it up for her wedding that year. 2018 by Harry and Meghan, reinforcing its association with marriage and couples.

Above: The Queen during a visit to the Defense Science and Technology Laboratory near Salisbury, UK.

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