Originally published in print, September 2021.

 

There is no denying the allure of the glamorous side of being a royal. Judging by the entire section that is dedicated to “royal style” on the Hello! Magazine website,  and the fact that every outfit that is worn by a member of the royal family is placed under a microscope and analysed by the public, it is fair to say that an incredible amount of people are deeply invested in what the royals wear.

Most will agree that the hype surrounding royal fashion is completely worth it. The British monarchy have had more than their fair share of iconic fashion moments, each one more terrific than the last. From Princess Diana’s 1994 iconic black off-the-shoulder “revenge dress”, to Meghan Markle’s unforgettably simple Givenchy wedding gown from 2018, some members of the royal family really are deserving of their reputations as some of the greatest fashion icons of all time.

But, when asked to ponder the connection between legendary style and the royal family, few will immediately call to mind the current and longest reigning monarch, Queen Elizabeth II. To many, Queen Elizabeth II’s customary coloured suits and stiff patent handbags may seem incredibly prim and proper. But, when one really analyses her trademark style, it is easy to see why her name belongs up there with the other royal fashion icons

It is important to note that Her Majesty has to take many things into account when choosing what outfit to show the world. Her fashion choices are not simply dependent on what is in style, or what suits her body-type. She needs to dress in a way that is befitting of her role, obeys royal etiquette, and is both practical and sophisticated at the same time.

Reflected in the Queen’s style is that fact she was part of one of the first generations to experience excessive attention from the media. The royal family have always been a point of interest for the public, but no monarch had ever been put under public scrutiny in quite the same way as Queen Elizabeth was when she first donned the crown in 1953. Unlike her predecessors, major milestones in the Queen’s life, like her coronation in 1953 and her wedding to Prince Phillip in 1947, were broadcast on both TV and radio. This meant that Her Majesty has always been acutely conscious of her appearance in public in a way that monarchs before her have not.

This has always influenced the Queen’s outfit choices. From an early age, Her Majesty has taken great pains to choose clothing that is unlikely to cause controversy. When purchasing the material for her wedding dress, for example, she insisted on using clothing ration coupons just like other brides-to-be of the post-war era. In 2019, Her Majesty took her people-pleasing a step further when she became the first British monarch to make the move from real fur to faux fur in her clothing, after receiving a number of complaints from animal rights activists.

In addition to worrying about public opinion, the Queen also needs to take royal etiquette into account when choosing her outfits. Royal protocol deems that Her Majesty must obey a series of rules and guidelines regarding her fashion and dress. Some of these rules, such as being forbidden from carrying her handbag in her right hand at certain times, seem tedious and incredibly pointless. Others, such as always wearing gloves when greeting people outdoors to protect from germs, are far more reasonable.

  But Her Majesty’s wardrobe choices are not just a manifestation of her intention to please her subjects, or a collection of outdated rules. The Queen’s style is, at its core, all about blending tradition with practicality. That is why Her Majesty is typically seen wearing brightly-coloured suits or dresses. These flamboyant hues make her easier to spot in a crowd. According to Sophie, the Countess of Wessex, “she needs to stand out for people to be able to say ‘I saw the Queen.’”

After taking all of these issues into account, one can only begin to imagine the pressure that Her Majesty must feel when it comes to selecting an outfit. To many, her style may seem pompous, overly-conservative and even, dare I say, boring. But when one looks past the low-reaching hemlines and stiff, pointed shoes, it is easy to see that Her Majesty’s style is emblematic of a progressing world, a forward-moving society, and a woman who is trying to juggle both tradition and innovation while looking classy and sophisticated at the same time.