Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the longest-serving monarch in Great Britain’s history, passed away today at the age of 96, Buckingham Palace has announced. The queen, who ascended to the throne in 1952 at just 25 years old and held her position for 70 years, spent her final days at Balmoral Castle, her summer estate in Scotland, surrounded by family, reports the BBC.
In addition to providing a sense of stability to the people of Britain and modernizing the monarchy, the queen’s influence also extended into the world of fashion, where she became a style icon in her own right during her 70-year reign. From surprising color choices to daring silhouettes, Her Majesty never failed to impress in the wardrobe department. Today, as we honor her legacy, Who What Wear is looking back at some of Queen Elizabeth II’s most iconic and historic style moments.
Queen Elizabeth II chose a stunning green gown to attend a function at the Hotel Imperial in Vienna on May 7, 1969, alongside her daughter, Princess Anne.
For her wedding to Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, in 1947, the then Princess Elizabeth wore an ivory satin dress designed by Sir Norman Hartnell.
Queen Elizabeth wore all white to a banquet during her and Prince Philip’s Commonweath visit to Australia in 1954.
During a visit from President John F. Kennedy and First Lady Jackie Kennedy, the queen debuted a vibrant blue tulle gown that she paired with white gloves and a silver metallic handbag.
Queen Elizabeth II wore a white tuxedo-style satin gown with the Girls of Great Britain and Ireland tiara at the annual Royal Film Performance in Leicester Square in 1952.
The queen visited the Royal Windsor Horse Show in a plaid skirt and green cardigan on May 10, 1991.
During the 1954 Royal Tour of Malta, the queen donned a dark silver coat dress as she watched the Navy versus Army match alongside Prince Charles, Princess Anne, and Lady Mountbatten.
During the Royal Tour of Australia in 1954, the queen accompanied Prime Minister Robert Menzies to the State Ball wearing a silver jacquard gown and emerald jewelry.
For a garden party in Sydney ahead of her trip on the SS Gothic to Tasmania in February 1954, the queen chose a white lace dress, classic pearls, and a black lace hat with three feathers attached.
Queen Elizabeth II, dressed in a white gown decorated with orange poppies, joined Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher at Number 10 Downing Street in December 1985.
The queen chose a mod red-and-white coat dress to attend Royal Ascot races on June 17, 1976.
During her tour of Australia in May 1970, Queen Elizabeth II visited the town hall in Sydney alongside its then Lord Mayor Emmet McDermott wearing a yellow-and-white knee-length look.
On June 6, 1990, the queen dressed for rainy weather in a buttoned-up trench coat at the Epsom Derby.
To attend Princess Diana and Prince Charles’s wedding at Buckingham Palace, Queen Elizabeth II wore an aquamarine pleated dress.
On May 24, 2011, Queen Elizabeth II met with President Barack Obama in the Music Room of Buckingham Palace. For the occasion, she chose a simple off-white, beaded gown and a royal-blue sash.
Queen Elizabeth II chose a vibrant yellow polka-dot dress and matching headpiece for her state visit to Mexico in 1975.
