Why the Queen's always picture perfect
As Her Majesty celebrates her 96th birthday this week, we take a look at iconic images of her, over the years.
Harry and Meghan paid a secret visit to see the Queen and Prince Charles at Windsor Castle on Thursday and we sincerely hope this is just the early birthday present to lift the monarch’s spirits ahead of her birthday on April 21. After Kerry wished for just this, last week, we couldn’t be happier!
Having admitted earlier this week Covid-19 has left her ‘very tired and exhausted’ and what with ongoing mobility issues ruling out the monarch’s attendance at the traditional Easter Sunday church service for the first time in 50 years, it’s no surprise we will be seeing less of the Queen ahead of Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
However, we have certainly seen a lot of the Queen over the years – she is the most photographed woman in history. So we’re celebrating her 96th birthday by looking back at some of the fabulous pictures she is sharing on The Royal Family Instagram.
1. The Lord of Mann, Ma'am
Looking fantastic in a floral hat and a signature style block-colour coat, this snap was taken in 1972 on a visit to the Isle of Man. And here’s one to log for a pub quiz question: did you know Her Majesty is known as the ‘Lord Of Mann’ on the island.
2. Queen meets JFK and First Lady
In June 1961, the Queen hosted the closest thing to American royalty, President John F Kennedy and First Lady Jacqueline, with a lavish banquet at Buckingham Palace. In the battle of the frocks, Her Majesty wore a royal blue tulle ballgown by Norman Hartnell and Jackie chose a Chez Ninon ice blue silk evening dress.
3. She’s got a ticket to ride
The Queen looks like she loved every minute of riding on the London Underground in 1969. She’s pictured in the driver’s cab as she opened a new section of the Victoria Line and took the tube from Oxford Circus to Victoria. Fast forward to today and the new Crossrail development is named the Elizabeth Line in her honour.
4. Royals on tour
Back in March 1970, the Queen and Prince Philip introduced Prince Charles and Princess Anne to New Zealand, when they visited the country to celebrate the James Cook Bicentenary. It’s on this tour they did their first ‘walkabout’. Fifty-two years later, the Princess Royal did a lot of that on this week’s trip to Australia and Papua New Guinea, where she showcased a more casual approach to royal tour wardrobes.
5) One is WFH
The Queen receives daily papers from her private secretaries and the government via red Despatch Boxes. This picture taken in 1959 shows her about to tackle a pile of official documents. Fun fact: the red boxes are also called ministerial boxes and are handmade in Britain by luxury leather goods company, Barrow Hepburn & Gale.
Harry and Meghan open the Invictus Games
It’s been a long time coming, but after a two year delay, the Invictus Games finally kicked off this weekend in the Hague. Harry was emotional as he took his seat at the Zuiderpark, with a Valentino-suit clad Meghan, comforting him. The couple flew to the Netherlands from Windsor, after what has been reported as a tense 10-15 minute meeting with Charles and a longer one with his grandmother.
The Games runs throughout the week and the Aussies certainly made it memorable - gifting Harry some budgie smugglers. Can’t say he looked that thrilled!
Make royally-approved hot cross buns
We love it when the royal cooks share their secret recipes and if you fancy serving up hot cross buns just like the Royal Family eat them, then your culinary Easter miracle is only a click away. Check out the royal pastry chefs step-by-step video here. And if you’re anything like us, you know these sweet, spiced buns are not just for Good Friday but make every day a good one. Happy Easter.
A right royal read
There’s no doubt Harry’s forthcoming memoir is hugely anticipated in most (non-royal) circles, but if you can’t wait for his book, then snap up Tina Brown’s impeccably-sourced The Palace Papers: Inside the House of Windsor - the Truth and the Turmoil, on sale April 26. We have a special copy already at The Royal List and will be the first to share its secrets, when we can.
We loved The Diana Chronicles and the former legendary editor of Tatler and Vanity Fair spent two years speaking to 120 people intimately involved with senior royals and their households. In this new book she investigates how the Royal Family cope with everything thrown at them and all the self-inflicted crises since the passing of Diana. Watch this space for our verdict.
Happy Birthday Louis!
Prince Louis will be blowing out four candles on his birthday cake this Saturday April 23. We’ve no doubt, Catherine will have made his cake, as she once confessed to Mary Berry she’s started a tradition in the Cambridge household. “I love making the cake. It’s become a bit of a tradition that I stay up until midnight with ridiculous amounts of cake mix and icing and I make far too much. But I love it.”
Kate’s love of baking also prompted the four-year-old’s first words. The Duchess told Mary, “One of Louis’ first words was ‘Mary’ because right at his height are all my cooking books in the kitchen bookshelf.”