We're Not Worthy: Bow Down to Queen Elizabeth II’s Fabulous Fashion Over the Years

As Queen Elizabeth II prepares to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee, we're looking back at all of her royal looks from over the years, dating back to 1944.

By Allison Crist Feb 06, 2022 11:00 AMTags
Watch: Queen Elizabeth II's Journey to The Throne

Fashion trends come and go, but Queen Elizabeth II's sense of style is timeless.

Her Majesty is set to become the first British Monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee on Feb. 6—meaning she's dedicated 70 years of service to the people of the United Kingdom, the Realms and the Commonwealth. And while Buckingham Palace has already previewed the stacked lineup of celebrations to come, we're honoring the Queen by chronicling her metamorphosis into a style icon.

Believe it or not, this journey begins in the early 1940s when Elizabeth—or little princess Lilibet, as her father affectionally called her at the time—was drawn to garments with cinched waists and flowing hemlines à la Scarlett O'Hara in Gone With the Wind.

She quickly traded any skin-baring looks for more regal combinations when she took the throne at just 25, and it was then she slowly began working toward her unmistakable signature style.

photos
Stars Playing Queen Elizabeth II

Below, relive all of Queen Elizabeth II's royal looks from over the years.

1944

The then 18-year-old Princess wore a floral frock to present a trophy cup treat on the grounds of Windsor Castle in Berkshire, England.

1944

The future Queen delighted in Christmas play for the family.

1947

Princess Elizabeth sported a smart double-breasted coat before boarding a Royal Navy aircraft en route to South Africa.

1947

Princess Elizabeth looked breathtaking on Nov. 20, 1947, the day she wed the Duke of Edinburgh at Westminster Abbey.

1947

The then Princess married Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh in a sweeping Norman Hartnell gown. The dress featured embroidered white satin, long sleeves and a fit-and-flare silhouette.

1947

Because England was still rationing clothing in 1947, Princess Elizabeth used ration coupons to purchase the material for her dress.

1947

The then Princess wore an embellished gown and fur stole to the Official Postal Address of Apsley House in London.

1948

Princess Elizabeth joined her father King George VI at the Derby at Epsom wearing a skirt suit, fascinator and ankle-strap pumps.

1948

The then princess attended the International Wool Secretariat Exhibition in London sporting a trim skirt suit, hat and white gloves.

1952

Queen Elizabeth II attended a Royal film performance at Leicester Square in London wearing a two-tone gown and matching gloves.

1953

Queen Elizabeth II posed in full royal garb (scepter included) during her Coronation ceremony on June 2, 1953 at Westminster Abbey in London. She was 25.

1953

Queen Elizabeth II wore another gown by Norman Hartnell, the designer behind the royal's white satin wedding dress, for her Coronation ceremony.

1954

The Queen sported a waist-cinching white lace dress to a garden party in Sydney, Australia. She complemented her look with a wide-brim hat, matching white gloves and parasol.

1954

Queen Elizabeth attended an event in Australia alongside Prince Philip wearing a peach-hued gown, crown and diamond necklace.

1956

Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Margaret—both wearing structured fit-and-flare frocks—left St. Margaret's church in London after attending a wedding for the Queen's lady-in-waiting, Kathryn Stanley.

1957

Former President Richard Nixon, who was vice president at the time, escorted the Queen—who wore an embroidered gown, fur stole and white gloves—to an event during her first visit to America in October 1957.

1958

The Queen donned a long fur-trimmed coat at Westminster Abbey in London, where she unveiled a memorial to the Civil Services of the Crown in India.

1958

Queen Elizabeth II wore a fitted trench coat in Crawley, England after attending the opening of Gatwick Airport with her husband Prince Philip.

1959

Her Majesty stood arm-in-arm with her daughter Princess Anne, wearing a rosy floral skirt suit, pearls and black pumps.

1960

The Queen wore another Norman Hartnell—this time a beaded white confection—to a film premiere.

1960

The monarch struck a pose with her pups in a smart emerald-green skirt suit.

1960

Queen Elizabeth II took in a sporting event at the Racecourse for the Oaks Stakes in Surrey, England sporting a yellow skirt, buttoned cape and matching hat.

1963

The Queen kept warm in a military green windbreak at an outdoor event.

1972

Queen Elizabeth II and The Queen Mother arrived at Westminster Abbey for a wedding in printed ensembles and cocktail hats.

1973

The Queen stepped out in royal style—donning an embroidered gown, fur stole and diamond crown—for a premiere on London's West End.

1975

Queen Elizabeth II met with children during her state visit to Mexico in a charming, yellow polka-dot dress and matching head wrap.

1977

Her Majesty was all smiles during an outdoor event in a printed green dress and floral-adorned topper.

1977

The Queen sported royal garb—naturally—for a palace portrait.

1979

Queen Elizabeth II went for a lady in red look (with a long skirt to adhere to the customs of her hosts) on an official visit to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

1980

The queen donned a green coat and dress (and matching hat, of course) for a military engagement in 1980.

photos
View More Photos From Queen Elizabeth II's Royal Style Through the Years
Get the latest tea from inside the palace walls. Sign up for Royal Recap!