She may be the Queen of England, but Elizabeth II is also the Queen of Style. A title she’s ruled for more than 70 years. By Hayley Peppin

KATE MIDDLETON MAY be the ultimate conscious and sophisticated outfit repeater, while Princess Diana forever remains on our sporty chic mood board — but Queen Elizabeth II reigns sartorial supreme.

Throughout her now 70-year sovereignty, and even prior to her ascension, Queen Elizabeth has elegantly used fashion as a means to subtly reflect the current British social and political landscape, as well as her own values. A prime example being her Norman Hartnell ivory wedding gown worn back in 1947.

Hartnell, who eventually became one of the queen’s official dressmaker’s, was reportedly inspired by Renaissance painter Sandro Botticelli’s “Primavera,” which featured elaborately embroidered star lily and orange blossom motifs. The gown was also encrusted with 10,000 seed pearls imported from America. Despite its intricacy and beauty — the couturier set out to produce “the most beautiful dress I had so far made” — the Princess (Elizabeth) actually saved up for the fabric herself. It was made from duchesse satin purchased with clothing ration vouchers, as well as a 200-coupon supplement from the government, due to the strict austerity measures in place in the U.K.

According to the Royal Collection Trust, the gown was meant to symbolise “rebirth and growth” in Britain following the war.

Decades later, the queen continues to make tasteful, yet mindful, style statements through her ensembles. From her now signature head-to-toe colour blocking — which according to daughter-in-law Sophie, Countess of Wessex, she wears to ensure crowds can see her — to her majestic millinery, here’s some of the Queen’s most opulent looks over time.

Queen Elizabeth has long been a fan of florals and pearls. Here she’s pictured at just 18 years old in Windsor Castle, wearing the pretty feminine print — as well as her signature accessory, a pearl necklace.

With pearls adorned to her neck, the queen wore a satin dress and bracelets while reading at her desk in Buckingham Palace.

Just prior to their wedding, Prince Philip and Queen Elizabeth were photographed at Buckingham Palace wearing classic looks of the time. Elizabeth in a blush dress, with simple jewellery and curled hair — meanwhile, Philip wore a crisp double-breasted suit with his military symbols attached.

The queen donned an elegant wedding gown, featuring 10,000 seed pearls imported from America with a 13-foot bridal trail, designed by Norman Hartnell.

Dripping in diamonds, Elizabeth wore a tiara, bracelets and a huge necklace for a royal event.

During her first year on the throne, Queen Elizabeth was royally snapped in jewels and a fur coat.

The queen donned a satin and sleeveless mint ball gown, which she accessorised with chandelier earrings, a tiara and long satin gloves. In the picture, she held an elaborate bouquet of orchids and baby’s breath.

Queen Elizabeth looked as regal as ever in her richly-embroidered coronation gown, designed with gold and silver thread and pastel-coloured silks. It was also encrusted with seed pearls, sequins and crystals. According to the Royal Collection Trust, couturier Norman Hartnell also added an extra four-leaf shamrock on the left side of the skirt for “good luck,” so that the queen’s hand could rest upon it during the ceremony. 

During her first royal tour of Australia as the queen, Elizabeth — alongside Prince Philip — wondrously stood out in an array of royally-fitting ensembles. While visiting the King George V Memorial (in commemoration of her late father) located outside Old Parliament House, she wore a verdant green ensemble with corresponding headwear.

Whilst attending a garden party, the queen wore a fitted floral dress, white peep toe sandals, a pearl necklace, sun hat, and held a sun-safe parasol.

A vision in pink, Queen Elizabeth beautifully complemented the Bombay skies. During her royal tour of India, she wore a feminine belted frock with gloves and a piece of florally-decorated millinery.

Wearing a lush green gown, accessorised with a brilliant array of jewels and symbolic Ethiopian ornaments, Queen Elizabeth paid homage to Ethiopia at the Great Throne Hall of the Menelik Palace in Addis Ababa.

During the Easter long weekend, Queen Elizabeth stylishly travelled to Australia with Prince Philip. Here’s she pictured with then Lord Mayor Emmet McDermott of Sydney, wearing a buttery coat with white accents, as she toured the Sydney Town and its surroundings.

In celebrating her Silver wedding celebrations, the queen wore a classic all-white ensemble during a walkabout in the Mauritius.

While headscarves have recently sartorially surged, Queen Elizabeth has long been the accessories’ unofficial ambassador. Often wearing iterations by Burberry and Hermès, as seen here she pairs a printed green design with a polished tweed suit and gloves.

Alongside the newly-engaged Prince Charles and Diana, the queen wore her trademark Launer handbag and Anello & Davide loafers at Buckingham Palace.

Queen Elizabeth opted to wear a lady-like ensemble with patent white heels during her first meeting with Indira Gandhi, the first female Prime Minister of India.

In full military gear, the queen dressed as a force to be reckoned with at the Trooping the Colour ceremony outside Buckingham Palace.

The queen wore a bright blue and white printed suit for an official visit to Jamaica. She sweetly accessorised with a complementary hat with floral accents and a pair of timeless white gloves.

Always dressing appropriately for the occasion, Queen Elizabeth pared back her regular bright looks for a pastel floral frock whilst meeting Mother Teresa of Calcutta. At the time, the queen presented her with the Order of Merit, which recognises distinguished leaders and culture shifters.

For annual royal portraiture, the queen wore a printed gown, diamond chandelier earrings, a silver watch, a diamond necklace, diamond bracelets, and a tiara in the Green Room at Windsor Castle.

While attending a service at Saint Anne’s Church in London, Queen Elizabeth elegantly made an entrance wearing a red dress and coat, with matching pillbox hat.

The queen complemented her sister Princess Margaret during a concert at The Royal College Of Music. She wore a blue and green printed satin dress with white gloves and a multi-strand pearl necklace.

The queen wore just her socks on her feet during a visit to the site of Gandhi’s cremation in New Delhi, India as a sign of respect. But she still dressed accordingly with a pink floral printed dress, matching blazer, and hat.

For the official royal family portrait, Queen Elizabeth donned a sparkling pink gown with corresponding diamond jewellery and silver pumps.

The queen smiled out the window of her carriage, wearing an ornate tiara and drop pearl earrings, as she headed towards Parliament for its official annual opening.

During her five-day long trip to Australia with Prince Philip to open the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, Queen Elizabeth wore a pastel green dress with white gloves and a refined piece of millinery.

As a corgi lover, the Queen stopped to chat with corgi dog owners in Canada, after leaving the Government House in Winnipeg. She wore vibrant floral printed dress with a Barbie pink hat, pearl necklace and white gloves.

Queen Elizabeth looked pleased to be alongside some corgis in Sherborne, England. She wore a bright pink coat with black accents, which she expertly paired with a black bag and pumps during the visit.

Wearing muted tones, much like her guest Angelina Jolie, Queen Elizabeth presented the actress with a prestigious accolade in honour of her philanthropic commitments.

Amongst a sea of red poppies — over 888,000 if we’re talking specifics — the queen wore a teal suit whilst visiting the Blood Swept Lands installation at the Tower of London.

Seated next to her grand-daughter-in-law Meghan Markle at an opening of the new Mersey Gateway Bridge in Chester, the queen stood out in a neon green outfit with floral embellishments.

Dressing for the season, the queen wore a bright orange coat and hat with tonal floral accents. She accessorised her look with earrings, a decorative brooch and black gloves.

In honour of she and Prince Philip’s 73rd wedding anniversary, the queen wore a light blue dress paired with her signature multi-strand pearl necklace.

For the opening ceremony of the sixth session of the Senedd in Wales, Queen Elizabeth wore a pink boule suit. Her matching hat adorably complemented her pretty posy.

Looking positively festive, the queen wore a classic red lip to match her holiday frock for her first televised Christmas Day speech without Prince Philip.

The queen wore one of her recent favourite sartorial colours while being photographed for her Platinum Jubilee.

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