Queen Elizabeth II’s Style Through the Years

From her luminous pearls to her colorful coats, the queen's sense of fashion was always memorable. By Lily Kupets and Myles Tanzer Updated Sept. 12, 2022 Tap story

Princess Elizabeth in 1946, seven years before she was crowned queen. She would go on to be Britain’s longest-reigning monarch. Lisa Sheridan/Studio Lisa/Hulton Archive/Getty Images { "selector": ".wsj--ani-text-fade", "duration": "2s", "easing": "ease-out", "keyframes": [ {"opacity": "0"}, { "opacity": "1"} ] }

For her wedding to Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, at Westminster Abbey, Princess Elizabeth wore a gown and veil designed by couturier Norman Hartnell and stitched with thousands of seed pearls. Popperfoto via Getty Images/Getty Images { "selector": ".wsj--ani-text-fade", "duration": "2s", "easing": "ease-out", "keyframes": [ {"opacity": "0"}, { "opacity": "1"} ] }

Alongside two furry friends in 1952. The queen had a great affinity for animals, especially horses and her many corgis. Lisa Sheridan/Studio Lisa/Hulton Archive/Getty Images { "selector": ".wsj--ani-text-fade", "duration": "2s", "easing": "ease-out", "keyframes": [ {"opacity": "0"}, { "opacity": "1"} ] }

Queen Elizabeth II after her coronation in 1953, in another custom Hartnell design. She was 25 when she assumed the throne. Bettmann { "selector": ".wsj--ani-text-fade", "duration": "2s", "easing": "ease-out", "keyframes": [ {"opacity": "0"}, { "opacity": "1"} ] }

For a visit with Pope John XXIII, the queen wore one of her grandmother’s pearl necklaces and Queen Alexandra's tiara. Fox Photos/Hulton Archive/Getty Images { "selector": ".wsj--ani-text-fade", "duration": "2s", "easing": "ease-out", "keyframes": [ {"opacity": "0"}, { "opacity": "1"} ] }

A fur look for a banquet during the queen's 1961 visit to Pakistan. Popperfoto via Getty Images/Getty Images { "selector": ".wsj--ani-text-fade", "duration": "2s", "easing": "ease-out", "keyframes": [ {"opacity": "0"}, { "opacity": "1"} ] }

Throughout her reign, the queen became known for wearing bright, monochrome outfits. Here, in a floral headpiece and matching dress during a tour of India in 1961. Popperfoto via Getty Images/Getty Images { "selector": ".wsj--ani-text-fade", "duration": "2s", "easing": "ease-out", "keyframes": [ {"opacity": "0"}, { "opacity": "1"} ] }

Queen Elizabeth II in one of her signature colorful coats. Fox Photos/Hulton Archive/Getty Images { "selector": ".wsj--ani-text-fade", "duration": "2s", "easing": "ease-out", "keyframes": [ {"opacity": "0"}, { "opacity": "1"} ] }

The queen leaving a state reception in Germany wearing royal jewelry. Fox Photos/Hulton Archive/Getty Images { "selector": ".wsj--ani-text-fade", "duration": "2s", "easing": "ease-out", "keyframes": [ {"opacity": "0"}, { "opacity": "1"} ] }

In 1967, Queen Elizabeth II appearing before a group of British Boy Scouts Hulton Archive/Getty Images { "selector": ".wsj--ani-text-fade", "duration": "2s", "easing": "ease-out", "keyframes": [ {"opacity": "0"}, { "opacity": "1"} ] }

Walking the grounds of Balmoral Castle—where the royal family typically gathers during late summer and early fall—in one of her dressed-down country looks, which often included a headscarf. Central Press/Getty Images { "selector": ".wsj--ani-text-fade", "duration": "2s", "easing": "ease-out", "keyframes": [ {"opacity": "0"}, { "opacity": "1"} ] }

The queen at the Royal Windsor Horse Show in 1968. Tim Graham/Fox Photos/Hulton Archive/Getty Images { "selector": ".wsj--ani-text-fade", "duration": "2s", "easing": "ease-out", "keyframes": [ {"opacity": "0"}, { "opacity": "1"} ] }

Wearing a green and white hat made by her trusted milliner Simone Mirman to a polo match. Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images { "selector": ".wsj--ani-text-fade", "duration": "2s", "easing": "ease-out", "keyframes": [ {"opacity": "0"}, { "opacity": "1"} ] }

The queen walking her beloved dogs in Scotland in 1974. Anwar Hussein/Getty Images { "selector": ".wsj--ani-text-fade", "duration": "2s", "easing": "ease-out", "keyframes": [ {"opacity": "0"}, { "opacity": "1"} ] }

Wearing a yellow turban during her state visit to Mexico in 1975. Serge Lemoine/Getty Images { "selector": ".wsj--ani-text-fade", "duration": "2s", "easing": "ease-out", "keyframes": [ {"opacity": "0"}, { "opacity": "1"} ] }

During a 1977 visit to New Zealand, the queen wore a matchy-matchy coat dress and hat — with pearls, of course . Anwar Hussein/Getty Images { "selector": ".wsj--ani-text-fade", "duration": "2s", "easing": "ease-out", "keyframes": [ {"opacity": "0"}, { "opacity": "1"} ] }

Dressed in shades of pink and purple at the Royal Windsor Horse Show. Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images { "selector": ".wsj--ani-text-fade", "duration": "2s", "easing": "ease-out", "keyframes": [ {"opacity": "0"}, { "opacity": "1"} ] }

Once again in all-over green. Serge Lemoine/Getty Images { "selector": ".wsj--ani-text-fade", "duration": "2s", "easing": "ease-out", "keyframes": [ {"opacity": "0"}, { "opacity": "1"} ] }

In blue for a visit to the South Pacific of Tuvalu in 1982. Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images { "selector": ".wsj--ani-text-fade", "duration": "2s", "easing": "ease-out", "keyframes": [ {"opacity": "0"}, { "opacity": "1"} ] }

A sparkling look for a film premiere in London in 1982. Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images { "selector": ".wsj--ani-text-fade", "duration": "2s", "easing": "ease-out", "keyframes": [ {"opacity": "0"}, { "opacity": "1"} ] }

At the wedding of James Ogilvy and Julia Rawlinson in 1988 in Saffron Walden, England. Georges De Keerle/Getty Images { "selector": ".wsj--ani-text-fade", "duration": "2s", "easing": "ease-out", "keyframes": [ {"opacity": "0"}, { "opacity": "1"} ] }

The queen in the Green Drawing Room at Windsor Castle, where Prince Harry and Meghan Markle took portraits after their wedding and their son Archie’s christening. Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images { "selector": ".wsj--ani-text-fade", "duration": "2s", "easing": "ease-out", "keyframes": [ {"opacity": "0"}, { "opacity": "1"} ] }

At the 1988 Royal Windsor Horse Show, donning another headscarf. Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images { "selector": ".wsj--ani-text-fade", "duration": "2s", "easing": "ease-out", "keyframes": [ {"opacity": "0"}, { "opacity": "1"} ] }

For casual appearances, the queen would often wear separates and sensible shoes. Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images { "selector": ".wsj--ani-text-fade", "duration": "2s", "easing": "ease-out", "keyframes": [ {"opacity": "0"}, { "opacity": "1"} ] }

The queen at Windsor Great Park in a silk headscarf. Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images { "selector": ".wsj--ani-text-fade", "duration": "2s", "easing": "ease-out", "keyframes": [ {"opacity": "0"}, { "opacity": "1"} ] }

Alongside Prince Philip during an official tour of Hungary. Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images { "selector": ".wsj--ani-text-fade", "duration": "2s", "easing": "ease-out", "keyframes": [ {"opacity": "0"}, { "opacity": "1"} ] }

In a shimmering sequin gown for the opening of Parliament in 2006. Tim Graham Picture Library/Getty Images { "selector": ".wsj--ani-text-fade", "duration": "2s", "easing": "ease-out", "keyframes": [ {"opacity": "0"}, { "opacity": "1"} ] }

Queen Elizabeth II on Christmas Day at St. Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, where the royal family typically attends Christmas services. Louis Wood - WPA Pool/ Getty Images { "selector": ".wsj--ani-text-fade", "duration": "2s", "easing": "ease-out", "keyframes": [ {"opacity": "0"}, { "opacity": "1"} ] }

The queen strolling the grounds of the Royal Windsor Horse Show, in weather-appropriate wellingtons. Indigo/Getty Images { "selector": ".wsj--ani-text-fade", "duration": "2s", "easing": "ease-out", "keyframes": [ {"opacity": "0"}, { "opacity": "1"} ] }

In lime green for the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in 2018. Pool/Max Mumby/Getty Images { "selector": ".wsj--ani-text-fade", "duration": "2s", "easing": "ease-out", "keyframes": [ {"opacity": "0"}, { "opacity": "1"} ] }

On her way to church in 2020, carrying one of her signature black handbags. Karwai Tang/WireImage { "selector": ".wsj--ani-text-fade", "duration": "2s", "easing": "ease-out", "keyframes": [ {"opacity": "0"}, { "opacity": "1"} ] }

At the platinum jubilee celebration in June, which marked 70 years since the queen acceded to the throne. Chris Jackson/Getty Images { "selector": ".wsj--ani-text-fade", "duration": "2s", "easing": "ease-out", "keyframes": [ {"opacity": "0"}, { "opacity": "1"} ] }

Read More: No One Dressed Quite Like the Queen Queen Elizabeth II: A Life in Photos Cover Photo: Queen Elizabeth II (as Princess Elizabeth) writing at her desk in Windsor Castle, Berkshire. Lisa Sheridan/Studio Lisa/Hulton Archive/Getty Images A Life in Photos