As we celebrate the 88th birthday of the United Kingdom’s longest reigning monarch, we take a look at Queen Elizabeth II’s life, style history and an homage to the some of best British designers.
Over the years, the Queen has become famous for her sartorial choices; bright, block colours, pearl necklaces, pristine white gloves, headscarves and plaid skirts make for an iconic appearance. Dolce & Gabbana even based a whole collection around her!
- Elizabeth Alexandra Mary was born 2.40 am (GMT) on 21 April 1926.
- She only has one sibling, Princess Margaret, who was born in 1930.
- The Queen actually has two birthdays! Her real birthday, today, and her official birthday on a Saturday in June.
- In 1947 Princess Elizabeth went on her first overseas tour, accompanying her parents through southern Africa.
- She became queen on February 6, 1952, and was crowned on June 2, 1953.
- A total of 8,251 guests attended her Coronation ceremony at Westminster Abbey.
- She usually spends her actual birthday privately, but the occasion is marked publicly by gun salutes in central London at midday: a 41 gun salute in Hyde Park, a 21 gun salute in Windsor Great Park and a 62 gun salute at the Tower of London.
- She is the fortieth monarch since William the Conqueror obtained the crown of England.
- She has had four children: Charles, Prince of Wales, Anne, The Princess Royal, Prince Andrew, Duke of York and Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex.
- She speaks fluent French and often uses the language for Audiences and State Visits. One does not require an interpreter!
- She has received over 3 million items of correspondence during her reign.
- She is patron of more than 620 charities and organisations.
- She has visited Australia 15 times, Canada 23 times, Jamaica six times and New Zealand 10 times.
- She has attended 34 Royal Variety performances.
- Her wedding dress was designed by Norman Hartnell
- She has opened 15 bridges in the United Kingdom during her reign.
- The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh have sent about 37,500 Christmas cards during her reign.
- She learnt to drive in 1945 when she joined the Army.
- The Queen has sat for the first and only hologram portrait in 2003.
- The first football match she attended was the 1953 FA Cup Final.
- The Queen was the first British Monarch to visit China when she visited in 1986.
- She sent her first email in 1976 from an Army base.
- And subsequently launched Buckingham Palace’s first official website in 1997.
- The Queen hosted the first women-only event “Women of Achievement” at Buckingham Palace in March, 2004.
- Her go-to designers over the years have been her dressmakers over the years have included Sir Hardy Amies, Sir Norman Hartnell, Karl-Ludwig Couture and Maureen Rose.
Shop the best of British designers at The Luxury Closet