The Queen’s senior dresser Angela Kelly revealed in her 2019 book The Other Side of the Coin: The Queen, the Dresser and the Wardrobe that many of Queen Elizabeth’s outfits were designed and made in-house, and explained that “colour is key”.
“The colour chosen must suit the Queen and the occasion,” Kelly wrote. “Vibrant colours work well in the daytime: they allow her to stand out from the crowd and be visible to the well-wishers who have come to see her.”
Kelly also disclosed that the Queen liked to choose her hats according to the type of event.
“For example, when Her Majesty visits a school or a children’s centre, she is always dressed in a bright, jolly colour, and her hat has the kind of details that will appeal to children — feathers, twirls, twists, flowers and ribbons,” Kelly said.
“When she visits a nursing or residential home for older people, she prefers to wear a strong, well-defined colour, with a structured hat, to help those who are visually impaired to see her.”
