Queen Elizabeth II has made a surprise appearance at London Fashion Week, taking a front row seat next to none other than Dame Anna Wintour.
The 91-year-old monarch stepped outside of her usual realm of royal duties — dignitary meetings, garden parties, gallery appearances and what not — to view a show from emerging designer Richard Quinn.
His showing championed colourful prints and headscarves, an aesthetic which doesn’t sit too far from the royal’s usual style choices. However, the application was taken to an extreme we don’t expect to see from any member of the royal family anytime soon!
Queen Elizabeth appeared enthralled by the unconventional showing from Richard Quinn.
Although the headscarf featured here may make its way into the monarch’s repertoire, we can’t imagine seeing the full ensemble at a royal event anytime soon!
Her Majesty sat alongside Dame Anna Wintour (R) for her first London Fashion Week appearance.
Her majesty looked particularly polished for the event, wearing a duck egg blue wool tweed dress and jacket embellished with tiny aquamarine Swarovski crystals by Angela Kelly (who also sat front row). She accented the look with a pair of black gloves and an understated set of pearl earrings and a coordinating brooch.
The Queen, who was seen chatting happily to fellow front row attendees, was on hand at the event to present the inaugural Queen Elizabeth II Award for British Design.
According to Buckingham Palace, the special award, “initiated in recognition of the role the fashion industry plays in society & diplomacy, will be awarded annually to an emerging British fashion designer who shows talent and originality, whilst demonstrating value to the community and/or sustainable policies.”
The Queen was on hand at the event to present the inaugural Queen Elizabeth II Award for British Design.
Taking to the catwalk to address the audience, the Queen said: “It is a great pleasure to be here at London Fashion Week today.”
“From the tweed of the Hebrides to Nottingham lace, and of course Carnaby Street, our fashion industry has been renowned for outstanding craftsmanship for many years, and continues to produce world-class textiles and cutting edge, practical designs.”
Speaking after the show, Quinn told the Telegraph: “It’s a bit surreal. We only found out a few days ago so we added in a few Queen touches with the headscarves and the scarf patterns, we were already planning a few scarves but we really hammed it up.”
He added: “It’s a tongue in cheek take on Balmoral, but done my way.”
Earlier in the week, Duchess Catherine and Sophie, the Countess of Wessex attended a very fashion-forward soiree at Buckingham Palace.
The dear chums co-hosted the Commonwealth Fashion Exchange reception — an initiative that seems designers and creators from the 52 countries under Commonwealth make a one-of-a-kind sustainable outfits.
Kate, who is currently expecting her third little prince or princess, opted for a black-and-white lace floral print dress by UK designer Erdem. Sophie also kept with the British theme donning Burberry.
The high-profile event saw fashion royalty Anna Wintour and Stella McCartney among the guests — royalty meets fashion royalty!
Kate and Sophie showed off the best of British fashion at the glittering event.
