The British royal family [1] is a fashionable bunch, and the most fashionable one of all? Well, Elizabeth II of course. The British Monarch is no stranger to a fashion show [2], and just like Kate Middleton [3] and Meghan Markle [4], she puts a lot of thought into her outfits, meaning there are almost always reasons for why she does (or doesn't) wear certain things. But there's one thing the queen absolutely never chooses for royal engagements: trousers.
The one and only time the queen wore trousers on official duty was during her tour of Canada in 1970 with Prince Philip, nearly 50 years ago. She wore a matte silk trouser suit by designer Ian Thomas in an effort to modernise her look [5]. Clearly, she didn't favour slacks, as she hasn't worn many pairs since. You might have spotted her wearing the staple during leisure time [6] or riding her beloved horses [7], but she won't wear them on duty. And you certainly wouldn't find her wearing jeans like Kate Middleton [8] and Meghan Markle [9].
The queen likes to keep her style simple and practical, but she doesn't lack a flair for fashion, particularly when it comes to colours. You'll often see her in a brightly coloured coat [10] with a matching hat, stylish handbag [11], and her go-to loafers [12]. She chooses this tried-and-tested ensemble so often for one simple reason: so the public can easily recognise her [13].
Queen Elizabeth II in 1970
Queen Elizabeth II wore pants during her Canadian tour with Prince Philip. They were matte silk and were designed to give the queen a more modernized look. She opted for a shoulder bag, which isn't her typical style [15], paired with a medium length coat. Although we love this look, the queen never wore pants at her future royal engagements.
Queen Elizabeth II in 2006
The queen hadn't been spotted wearing pants while on duty since 1970, but this didn't stop her from wearing them on a day off in 2006. She wore a smart black pair just before boarding her week-long cruise to celebrate her 80th birthday. She's since worn them on her leisure days and horseback riding, simply for practical reasons.