Remembering the style and class of Queen Elizabeth II

The news that Queen Elizabeth of England has passed away after 70 years on the British throne has thrown the word into morning.   She became Queen of England at the age 0f 21, in the 1950s, in a time where the world didn’t welcome world leaders that were female.  Throughout her reign, Elizabeth was a brilliant ambassador for the British Commonwealth and Great Britain.  She never waivered in her discreet, charm and leadership during her 70 years on the throne.

Her style was amazing and very English.  From her hats, to her Launer handbags and her amazing brooches on her bright coats and frocks, Queen Elizabeth was truly one of a kind.

Queen Elizabeth II wears the Jardine brooch. The brooch has eight points and a diamond is placed on a knife-wire between each point. (photo Getty Images)

As a young Queen she wore beautiful fashions. Sometimes the beauty of her gowns was hidden under evening wraps, medallions, or the blue sash (known as a riband ) representing the Order of the Garter that she would wear. When you see the dresses unobscured by the Queen’s sashes, jewelry and military orders, you can really appreciate what works of art they were.

An evening gown of Queen Elizabeth II by designer Hardy Amies. The gown is silk organza with springs of blossoms embroidered on the fabric. The combination of the grey fabric with pink blossoms is gorgeous. 

Her wedding and coronation gowns were designed by Norman Hartnell. It was wonderful to see Princess Beatrice refashion one of the Queen’s beautiful couture gowns from the 1960s into her wedding dress.

Princess Beatrice refashioned the Queen’s Norman Hartnell gown from 1962 for her wedding.

The Queen wearing a beautiful embellished Norman Hartnell dress for a visit to Canada.

A color picture of the Queen’s Norman Hartnell dress, worn fo her tour of Canada, reveals how special it is with it’s beautiful beading and peacock like patterns.

As a mature monarch, Angela Kelly and Stewart Parvin kept her stylish in brightly colored dresses, with matching coats and hats.

A display of six of Queen Elizabeth II’s outfits, five of which were designed by Kelly, at Hillsborough Castle in Northern Ireland. Source of photo: Northern Ireland Office.

In the photo above, five of the six outfits on display and all six hats were designed by Angela Kelly LVO, personal assistant and senior dresser to The Queen since 2002. The sixth outfit was designed by Karl Ludwig, business partner of John Anderson who designed Her Majesty’s dresses from 1988 until 1996. These dresses were recently featured at an exhibit sponsored by the Northern Ireland Office.

Thank you M’am for your service to the nation and your sense of style.  You broke barriers and showed the world what a woman leader can do!