Queen Elizabeth would wear 7 different outfits on Christmas Day | Royal | News
Christmas, the late Queen Elizabeth II. It was never a quiet affair for Elizabeth, even in her later years. While the festive season is a time to slow down for most of us, those closest to the monarch have revealed that Christmas Day remains as challenging as any other.
Angela Kelly, who has worked closely with the royal family for decades and played a key role in shaping her iconic wardrobe, has given a rare insight into the intensity behind the scenes. Writing in her book The Other Side of the Coin: The Queen, the Dresser and the Wardrobe, published three years before her death, Kelly revealed that the Queen’s Christmas schedule was packed with guests and engagements.
He said: “The Queen is just as busy as she is in London, with more guests to entertain.” As a result, multiple changes of clothing were not tolerated but necessary. Kelly explained: “There may be several outfit changes in a day; there may be up to five or even seven.”
But the frequent wardrobe changes followed a surprisingly strict rule. The Queen would never wear the same outfit twice in front of different groups of guests on the same day, ensuring that no one felt less received than the other. Each moment, whether private or public, required carefully considered ensemble that reflected the late monarch’s deep respect for tradition and protocol.
Kelly explained how she would submit sketches of evening gowns and formal dresses for the Queen to review, allowing her to personally choose what she wanted to wear. The coordination extended beyond the Queen. Once the evening gown was chosen, a handwritten notice was placed in the Dressmakers’ Corridor stating the details of the outfit, allowing the bridesmaids and their accompanying guests to dress accordingly.
Check out her latest Christmas Day look…
2021: Christmas Day
Queen Elizabeth II Elizabeth made a stunning statement during the 2021 Christmas Day broadcast in a bold, festive red embossed wool dress designed by her longtime dresser Angela Kelly. The vibrant color evoked quite a strong feeling and emphasized the solemnity of the moment when she delivered her first Christmas message following the death of her beloved husband, Prince Philip; a particularly poignant choice as, in retrospect, this would be his last Christmas address. Attached to her dress was the highly symbolic sapphire chrysanthemum brooch, which she first wore on her honeymoon in 1947 and later on the milestone anniversaries she shared with Philip, transforming the look into a subtle yet deeply moving homage. Believed by experts to be worth well over £1 million, the brooch – often described as priceless due to its historical and sentimental significance – spoke volumes without saying a word. Together, the striking red silhouette and heirloom jewelery created one of the most emotionally resonant and unforgettable Christmas looks of her reign.
(Image: Getty)
