Queen Elizabeth will have a lot to celebrate during her Platinum Jubilee, being the longest reigning monarch in British history.
She’s also one of the most stylish. Through her several appearances and ceremonies over the last seven decades, the Queen has created a legacy of memorable looks that redefine regal dressing and elevate her as a rightful fashion icon of England.
From colourful skirt suits to stately ballgowns, see some of the royal’s most iconic ensembles during her reign.
Read more: How the UK Is Celebrating the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee This Weekend
Wedding, 1947
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For her wedding to Prince Philip, the 21-year-old Elizabeth wore an extravagant silk duchesse wedding gown designed by the royal couturier, Norman Hartnell. Inspired by Sandro Botticelli’s La Primavera painting, the dress was heavily embellished with 10,000 seed pearls and featured 15-foot train adorned with stars. To top the look off, the bride borrowed her grandmother Quern Mary’s Fringe Tiara, which shone with 47 bars of diamonds.
Malta Tour, 1951
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On tour in the Mediterranean island of Malta, where the then Princess spent some of her happiest days with her husband, the royal stepped out in a pale purple dress embellished with crystals to match her diamond jewellery. Her bare arms were graced with a white fur stole and a pair of gloves, two accessories that continued to appear in her future ensembles.
In case you missed it: These Photos of Queen Elizabeth as a Young Princess Have Never Been Seen Before
Coronation, 1953
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For her coronation, the Queen wore yet another Norman Hartnell creation. Following the royal’s request for it to be similar to her wedding gown and to be crafted from white stain, Hartnell designed a dress with embroidered flowers representing all the domains that she would rule over, from the English Tudor rose to the Scottish thistle. The dress’s sweetheart neckline and full skirt was also decorated with a scalloped pattern in pearls, diamonds and gold bugle beads.
Peter Pan, 1982
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In 1982, the Queen watched the Royal Shakespeare Company’s production of Peter Pan in a dress that may have been inspired by the Disney adaptation. Her bright blue dress, featuring a crystal bodice and ruffled sleeves, cuffs and hem, could be seen as a royal version of Wendy Darling’s nightgown. It’s certainly one of the more whimsical ensembles that she has worn during her reign.
Reagan, 1983
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On a state visit to California, the Queen met with then US President Ronald Reagan and his wife Nancy in a champagne-coloured taffeta gown designed by another royal couturier, Hardy Amies. The gown featured puffy, sheer sleeves trimmed with bows, but it didn’t take away from the extravagance of the Queen’s tiara shining with pearls and diamonds.
Hungary, 1993
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Over the years, the Queen would show a penchant for bright colours. One example is this bubblegum pink dress she wore to a visit to Hungary, distinguished by its belted waist and dramatic shoulders.
Harlequin, 1999
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The Queen reserved one of her boldest looks for the first ever Royal Variety Performance in London in 1999. She attended the event in a striking outfit comprising a harlequin-style top made with a rainbow of sequins, and a yellow striped skirt with a ribbon along its waist. Her diamond jewellery looked subtle in comparison.
House of Lords, 2006
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The Queen knows how to do glamour, as her appearance at the State Opening of Parliament in 2006 demonstrated. She opted for a column gown covered in crystals, a stark departure from the full skirted dresses she typically wears. And with a lavish white fur stole thrown over her shoulders, she looked like a star right out of the silver screen.
Cheshire, 2018
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For her first royal engagement with her granddaughter-in-law Meghan Markle, the Queen wore one of her favourite colours: neon green. She was impossible to miss at their visit to Cheshire, as she wore a vibrant coat dress that she matched with her flamboyant hat. Her Majesty has flaunted the fluorescent hue on special occasions, from her 90th birthday celebrations to the royal wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. On this occasion, she completed the look with a pearl necklace and one of Queen Victoria’s bow brooches.
Platinum Jubilee, 2022
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This year, the Queen kept up her impeccable style streak when kicking off her Platinum Jubilee celebrations. She wore a simple but elegant crepe dress in a serene shade of blue, created by her royal dressmaker, Angela Kelly. It was marked by floral embroidery along its waist, which the Queen matched with her blooming Cartier brooch. Her beloved patent leather Launer handbag, which she has worn several times, stood out against her elegant ensemble.
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