The Queen has apparently always liked to attract attention – with her colorful outfits and her actions Photo: Collage

News that went around the world: Queen Elizabeth II has died. For 70 years she bore the title of nobility in her name and lived most of her life as queen. She was known for her humor and colorful outfits. In addition, the British Queen has achieved a lot in her long career – especially for the female population.

 

Green, orange, pink, yellow, turquoise, purple – there is hardly a color that Queen Elizabeth II has not worn. When it came to her styling, she didn’t practice elegant restraint, quite the opposite. The colors were bright, bright and made them stand out in the otherwise often gray crowd. But it’s not just her outfits, but also her actions and her assertiveness that make the queen memorable. STYLEBOOK has summarized the milestones of Queen Elizabeth’s career.

The Queen on active military service

Queen Elizabeth II was the first and only woman to do active military service for her country. During the Second World War, the then 18-year-old heir to the throne volunteered for service, although her father was against it. There she trained as a mechanic and driver, learned to drive trucks and ambulances and repair engine damage. There was no free choice of clothing here. Like everyone else, she appeared here in overalls. A smart career move for Queen Elizabeth.
The then Princess Elizabeth during repair work during the Second World War in 1944 Photo: Getty Images

Princess Elizabeth becomes Queen Elizabeth II.

On June 2, 1953, Queen Elizabeth was crowned queen. At a time when women had little power and could not work without her husband’s consent, the then princess became one of the most powerful women of the time. She had held the office of regent for over a year after her father, King George VI, died in February 1952.

However, the mourning period and the preparations for the spectacle continued, so that the official coronation did not take place until June 1953. It was the first to be televised and also the first live global coverage of a major event. The then Prime Minister Winston Churchill resisted this, but the Queen insisted on media publicity.
Queen Elizabeth II in her coronation robe in June 1953 with her husband Philip Photo: Getty Images

Queen Elizabeth II invites her people home

At the beginning of the 1990s, the Queen made a major break with tradition: she opened the doors of Buckingham Palace to the public. The castle has been the seat of the British monarchs since 1837 and also served as home to Queen Elizabeth II. The private rooms are excluded from the tour, but in the 1980s an intruder even made it into the Queen’s bedroom. It is questionable whether he was able to get a look into her closet, but he would certainly have found a colorful selection of costumes in there.
Queen Elizabeth with her family in 1990. Photo: Getty Images

Queen Elizabeth II speaks before the US Congress

Another milestone in Queen Elizabeth’s career was her address to the American Congress on May 16, 1991, where she was received with a standing ovation. More than two centuries after America gained independence from the British Empire, she is the first monarch to address American House members. She wears an orange costume with a matching hat, which makes her stand out among the mostly dark suits of the deputies. Her first sentence with typical British humor: “I hope you can see me today from where you are”.

In 1991, Queen Elizabeth became the first monarch to address the US Congress in an orange costume. Photo: Getty Images

The Queen, as head of the Anglican Church, accepts divorce

There have always been divorces in royal families. But the Anglican Church, whose head was Queen Elizabeth II, had its problems with this. Her sister, Princess Margaret, decided not to marry her divorced boyfriend because the Anglican Church did not allow for this during her ex-partner’s lifetime. This paragraph, which was no longer up to date at the time, was changed in 2002. This was also at the urging of the clergy, many of whom were themselves divorced but hoped for the post of bishop. To this day, however, a clergyman can reject a couple if, for example, the new partnership was the reason for the breakdown of the previous marriage. This is what happened with Prince Charles and Camilla . However, Prince Harry was allowed to marry Meghan Markle in church, even though she had already been married before. The Queen herself was never affected by this innovation. She was married to Prince Philip for 73 years.
The Queen in her court procession in the year the Anglican Church officially accepted divorce Photo: Getty Images
Also interesting: After the death of the Queen – Burberry cancels London Fashion Week

The Queen passes the Crown Act

If the queen had had a brother, Eilzabeth would not have become queen, even if he had been born after her. This is because men had priority in the line of succession. In 2013, however, this male precedence was overturned and came into force in March 2015. Since then, the eldest child, regardless of gender, is first in line to the throne.
Queen Elizabeth II in 2013, a few months after male prerogative to the throne was overturned Photo: Getty Images

The Queen is celebrating her 70th anniversary on the throne

On June 2, 2022, the British Queen had every reason to celebrate. She ruled her country for 70 years. In doing so, she not only overtook her great-great-grandmother Queen Victoria, who was in office for 63 years and 216 days, but also almost every monarch in the world. The only exception: King Louis XIV. According to records, the Sun King of France was on the throne for 72 years and 110 days.

The entire first weekend in June was celebrated for their platinum anniversary. As exuberant as the celebrations were, there was a touch of melancholy in the air. Many already suspected that this was the last major public party in which the Queen would actively participate. And unfortunately they were right…
Queen Elizabeth II waves to her people from the balcony of Buckingham Palace on her 70th anniversary on the throne Photo: Getty Images