Skip to Content

Queen Elizabeth II: a life in pictures

From her wedding dress and coronation gown to her co-ordinated outfits, here are Queen Elizabeth II's best style moments.
By Penny Travers
Fashion accessory, Headgear, Headpiece, Hair accessory, Jewellery, Dress, Costume design, Necklace, Costume accessory, Embellishment,
1

The christening gown

Nose, Human, Jaw, Monochrome, Portrait, Vintage clothing, Costume, Birth,
Even as a baby Queen Elizabeth made a fashion statement in a beautiful embroidered christening gown.

Like this? You'll love...
5 style lessons from the Queen
The most iconic wedding dresses ever
More fashion from GH
2

The ballet outfit

Human, Hairstyle, Fashion accessory, Victorian fashion, Vintage clothing, Headpiece, Hair accessory, Embellishment, Costume design, Portrait,
In 1932, a young Princess Elizabeth was pictured looking angelic in a ballet outfit, complete with floral crown.

Like this? You'll love...
5 style lessons from the Queen
The most iconic wedding dresses ever
More fashion from GH
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
3

The prim coat

Clothing, Footwear, Hat, Trousers, Dress, Sun hat, Style, Headgear, Fashion accessory, Fashion,
The prim coat, the hat, the impeccable brogues. Not a fashion faux pas in sight!

Like this? You'll love...
5 style lessons from the Queen
The most iconic wedding dresses ever
More fashion from GH
4

Horse riding

Hat, Monochrome, Blazer, Photography, Vintage clothing, Boats and boating--Equipment and supplies, Monochrome photography, Fedora, Paddle, Oar,
One must always look impeccable, even when riding a horse.

Like this? You'll love...
5 style lessons from the Queen
The most iconic wedding dresses ever
More fashion from GH
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
5

The uniform

Hat, Collar, Sleeve, Human body, Dress shirt, Photograph, Standing, White, Style, Uniform,
Back in 1942, Princess Elizabeth was the perfect Girl Guide.

Like this? You'll love...
5 style lessons from the Queen
The most iconic wedding dresses ever
More fashion from GH
6

The racecourse outfit

Standing, Monochrome, Mammal, Style, Monochrome photography, Black-and-white, Crowd, Vintage clothing, One-piece garment, Day dress,
In 1947, Princess Elizabeth attended one of many future racecourse events in a lovely gingham Summer dress.

Like this? You'll love...
5 style lessons from the Queen
The most iconic wedding dresses ever
More fashion from GH
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
7

The engagement dress

Trousers, Photograph, Interior design, Formal wear, Dress, Suit, Interior design, Vintage clothing, Classic, Curtain,
Elizabeth looked gorgeous in the pale grey dress she wore to announce her engagement to Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten in 1947.

Like this? You'll love...
5 style lessons from the Queen
The most iconic wedding dresses ever
More fashion from GH
8

The wedding dress

Bridal clothing, Photograph, Bridal veil, Formal wear, Dress, Style, Veil, Bride, Gown, Wedding dress,
When Princess Elizabeth married the Duke of Edinburgh in 1947, she had to buy the material using ration coupons. The dress was created by Norman Hartnell, one of the court's favourite designers, and featured a star-patterned 13-foot bridal train, symbolic of rebirth and growth after the war. It is said to have been inspired by Botticelli's Primavera painting.

Like this? You'll love...
5 style lessons from the Queen
The most iconic wedding dresses ever
More fashion from GH
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
9

The suit

Eye, Hat, Monochrome, Style, Headgear, Monochrome photography, Black, Black-and-white, Baby, Toddler,
The Queen jazzed up her simple dark suit with a brooch and fancy hat. 

Like this? You'll love...
5 style lessons from the Queen
The most iconic wedding dresses ever
More fashion from GH
10

The 1940s dress

Hair, Face, Head, Nose, Ear, Human, People, Eye, Child, Photograph,
Snapped in the late '40s, the Queen embodied the simple post-war fashion.

Like this? You'll love...
5 style lessons from the Queen
The most iconic wedding dresses ever
More fashion from GH
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
11

The coronation dress

Formal wear, Style, Fashion accessory, Victorian fashion, Gown, Fashion, Tradition, Curtain, Headpiece, Hair accessory,
The Queen looks positively regal as she ascends the throne on 2 June 1953. Here, she poses with the Duke of Edinburgh, Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother and Princess Margaret Rose at Buckingham Palace.

Like this? You'll love...
5 style lessons from the Queen
The most iconic wedding dresses ever
More fashion from GH
12

The ballgowns

Dress, Photograph, Gown, Formal wear, Style, Victorian fashion, Bridal clothing, Wedding dress, Fashion, Vintage clothing,
When on official duty, the Queen always looked dazzling in a ballgown, usually paired with her sash, badge and star of the Order of the Garter. Oh and a diamond crown, naturally.

Like this? You'll love...
5 style lessons from the Queen
The most iconic wedding dresses ever
More fashion from GH
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
13

The green dress

Fashion accessory, Headgear, Headpiece, Hair accessory, Jewellery, Dress, Costume design, Necklace, Costume accessory, Embellishment,
We love this gorgeous green number, worn in Melbourne in 1954.

Like this? You'll love...
5 style lessons from the Queen
The most iconic wedding dresses ever
More fashion from GH
14

The gold dress

Textile, Pink, Dress, Coat, Formal wear, Magenta, Flooring, Fashion accessory, Fashion, Carpet,
For her visit to Pakistan in 1961, the Queen pulled out all the stops in a gold dress and fetching head piece.

Like this? You'll love...
5 style lessons from the Queen
The most iconic wedding dresses ever
More fashion from GH
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
15

The headscarf

Human, Vertebrate, Horse, Interaction, People in nature, Working animal, Sun hat, Horse supplies, Livestock, Bridle,
During her country walks, the Queen is hardly ever spotted without her headscarf.

Like this? You'll love...
5 style lessons from the Queen
The most iconic wedding dresses ever
More fashion from GH
16

The Parliament dress

Bridal clothing, Tradition, Headpiece, Crown, Marriage, Bride, Gown, Wedding dress, Hair accessory, Carpet,
In 1975, the Queen and Prince Philip attended the State Opening of Parliament in full regalia.

Like this? You'll love...
5 style lessons from the Queen
The most iconic wedding dresses ever
More fashion from GH
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
17

The turban headband

Footwear, Leg, Trousers, Bag, Dress, Style, Hat, Luggage and bags, Fashion, Temple,
In the 1970s, the Queen embraced bright colours and the turban headband trend.

Like this? You'll love...
5 style lessons from the Queen
The most iconic wedding dresses ever
More fashion from GH
18

The Silver Jubilee dress

Event, Tradition, Clergy, Vestment, Ritual, Bishop, Costume, Cope, Bishop, Priesthood,
In 1977, the Queen celebrated her Silver Jubilee in a bright pink number.

Like this? You'll love...
5 style lessons from the Queen
The most iconic wedding dresses ever
More fashion from GH
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
19

Prince Charles and Diana's wedding

Sleeve, Bridal clothing, Bridal veil, Veil, Photograph, Formal wear, Wedding dress, Tradition, Bride, Gown,
For Prince Charles and Diana's wedding, Queen Elizabeth II wore vibrant turquoise.

Like this? You'll love...
5 style lessons from the Queen
The most iconic wedding dresses ever
More fashion from GH
20

The oriental dress

Hairstyle, Chin, Petal, Hair accessory, Headpiece, Style, Headgear, Fashion accessory, Fashion, Beauty,
The Queen made a departure from her signature style with this oriental print dress for her tour of the South Pacific in 1982. We love the flower headdress.

Like this? You'll love...
5 style lessons from the Queen
The most iconic wedding dresses ever
More fashion from GH
Watch Next 
Fashion accessory, Headgear, Headpiece, Hair accessory, Jewellery, Dress, Costume design, Necklace, Costume accessory, Embellishment,
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Style advice

nobodys child charlie dress

Nobody’s Child sellout summer dress is restocked

button up cardigan

This £89 Boden cardi is made for cooler mornings

fashion showcase featuring three outfits on models

COS's ballerina sneakers are the new season shoe

radley handbag

My new favourite bag is by.. Radley. Yes, really

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
uniqlo swing jacket

This transitional swing jacket works on everyone

getty, marks and spencer

The M&S barrel jean just got an irresistible tweak

& other stories, next, marks & spencer

Affordable fashion buys for now and next season.

boden autumn

10 brilliant buys from Boden's autumn collection

crochet tops

We've found the best crochet tops

skirt suits

This laid-back skirt suit changed my summer style

boden sale

Boden's sale is bursting with summer style staples

sweatshirts, reinvented! sweatshirts just got smarter, and more chic.

Sweatshirts, reinvented! Here's the best, from £25

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below