Queen Elizabeth II's Sense of Style

[VRBeauty]

This is a very nice article about QEII's sense of style, clothing-wise:

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/03/fashion/queen-elizabeth-ii-sets-a-style-standard.html?pagewanted=2&_r=1

It hadn't particularly occurred to me before, but her style is instantly recognizable! The Jubilee special that ran a week or two ago (with Katie Couric) mentioned that Buckingham Palace has something like 900 rooms. I wonder how many of them are devoted to the Queen's wardrobe?

The last paragraph of the story is especially intriguing:

“She dresses much better in private than public,” Mr. Vickers said. “She wears lots and lots of jewels and really dazzles. She sparkles away like mad.”

Make me picture her relaxing in silk PJs and a silk robe dripping with diamond jewelry!

 

[Imdanny]

That's interesting! They say Queen Mary never had dinner without a tiara and Queen Alexandra dressed informally. Queen Elizabeth could wear jewels we have haven't seen and don't even know about. It's intriguing.

I think a problem they're going to have is that one day they're going to go from having a queen who can wear blocks of any color and jewels to a king who can't do much of the former and can't do the latter. I think it's going to be a letdown. I'm not willing to entertain the idea that Camilla can ever fill the void in this regard. What's a shame is Diana could have continued with all of her beauty and glamor into old age but we're never going to see that.

BTW, Diana also (as well as Kate apparently) wore costume jewelry. She had lots of it she bought herself on shopping trips and she's mixed them in with her real jewels and she had plenty of those.

Does anyone know if Kate wore a tiara at any of the Jubilee events. If not now, when?

I don't think we're going to see the likes of Queen Elizabeth again.

 

[AprilBaby]

God save the queen because Charles and Camilla will bring down the monarchy.

 

[Polished]

“She dresses much better in private than public,” Mr. Vickers said. “She wears lots and lots of jewels and really dazzles. She sparkles away like mad.”

I'm not sure how seriously to take this. I imagine her in private wearing casual clothing, head scarf, off seeing her horses or training her larger dogs. There's another article, from that reliable source The Daily Mail! I am more inclined to believe she keeps her jewelery simple for normal life:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2153250/Queen-diamonds-Her-Majesty-owns-worlds-precious-gems-Royal-author-says-personal-ones-mean-most.html

I like the way she describes herself as a Christmas Tree when in full jewelery mode.

I know her dresser Angela Kelly is credited with improving the Queen's wardrobe. The white outfit she wore for the flotilla down the Thames was gorgeous, with shimmering sparkles all over it to represent her Diamond Jubillee.

 

[Maisie]

God save the queen because Charles and Camilla will bring down the monarchy.

What do you foresee happening when Charles becomes king?

 

[AGBF]

What do you foresee happening when Charles becomes king?

The sky will fall in. There is no hope for anyone anywhere on earth.

Deb/AGBF

 

[ksinger]

I remember this quote about the queen's style that was part of a Slate piece about Kate's wedding style and how it might signal the end of "porno chic"....

http://www.slate.com/articles/life/doonan/2011/04/kates_dress_that_queen_those_hats.html

"Regarding Brenda (aka - Queen Elizabeth), and her legendary anti-fashion: Years ago I interviewed Sir Hardy Amies, the hilarious and tart-tongued old poof who created Queen Elizabeth's iconic "look." I refer to those brightly hued outfits with the matching dress, coat and hat—like the yellow number she had on today. When I asked Sir Hardy if he had ever tried to squeeze Brenda into anything more stylish, he admonished me sternly. "Young man! Her Majesty must never appear to be chic. That would be disastrous, for there is an unkindness to chic [paging Wallis Simpson!] * and her Majesty must never appear to be unkind. She must always appear friendly and approachable."

Don't know if that quote is real, but it sounds as plausible as anything.

 

[ame]

I don't forsee Charles being King long. I think the public would revolt, as he's not well liked IIRC, so he would probably have William installed within a few years.

 

[smitcompton]

I have always thought the queen did not dress well. In fact I liked her mothers sense of fashion more even though it also was predictable. I am glad she improved. I hae not seen the new wardrobe yet.


As for Charles, I don't mind him. I'm glad he tried to live his life without always thinking of the Monarchy. I like that he is interested in architecture and although the media makes fun of him, I think he will be a fine king. Don't care for Camilla for the ob vious reasons. I liked Diana.

Annette

 

[AGBF]

I don't forsee Charles being King long. I think the public would revolt, as he's not well liked IIRC, so he would probably have William installed within a few years.

It won't happen. If a monarchy remains at all, the Royal Family will follow the rules. They have made it clear that they will not descend into a bicycle monarchy where people step down instead of dying with their boots on.

Deb/AGBF

 

[AGBF]

I don't forsee Charles being King long. I think the public would revolt, as he's not well liked IIRC, so he would probably have William installed within a few years.

It won't happen. If a monarchy remains at all, the Royal Family will follow the rules. They have made it clear that they will not descend into a bicycle monarchy where people step down instead of dying with their boots on.

I didn't have time to finish what I had wanted to say while I was posting earlier. (The intrusion of dreaded real life.) Recently, while perusing photos for the Royal Jewels thread I read a bit about Queen Mary, the wife of King George V and the grandmother of Queen Elizabeth II. Alhough it was her husband who was the reigning King, she, herself, was born Princess Mary of Teck (known as May of Teck), and was a direct descendant of King George III (remember him from the American Revolution?). She knew duty when she saw it and it clearly pained her to have a son like Edward VIII who married Wallis Simpson and abdicated. She broke tradition and was the first Dowager Queen to attend the coronation of the next King and Queen when her younger son George VI was crowned in place of the wayward Edward VIII.

She has been quoted as saying:

"We are a member of the British royal family. We are never tired, and we all love hospitals".

I don't think Charles would dare abdicate.


Deb/AGBF