With the news of Queen Elizabeth II’s passing, many of us are looking back at her 96 years of life. As the longest-ruling monarch of the United Kingdom, she had quite the eventful reign marked by countless public appearances.
Her most iconic beauty and fashion moments span seven decades, from her wedding to Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, in 1947 and her coronation in 1953 to her attendance at Prince William and Kate Middleton’s wedding in 2011 and, a few years later, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding in 2018.
Queen Elizabeth II had a signature look. She was known for her polished, tightly curled bob haircut, which was kept brunette until transitioned to white as she got older. She also frequently wore bright pink or red lipstick to match her equally bright ensembles. When she wasn’t donning a crown, she loved wearing hats and, in general, had a great affinity for accessories.
What many people might not know is that Queen Elizabeth II also had a go-to manicure. She always wore the same neutral-pink colour by Essie called Ballet Slippers ($16). She loved the shade so much, that she preferred other women in the royal family to wear it, too, which is why Middleton and Markle can usually be found in it.
Though her beauty choices were consistently understated, at least compared to her fashion decisions, she always made an entrance no matter where she went. Ahead, take a look back at Queen Elizabeth II’s most iconic beauty moments over the years.
Short Bob and Terracotta Lip, 1944
Getty Images: Brettman
In 1944 a then Princess Elizabeth showed off a playful bob haircut, and offset her boyish Sea Rangers Uniform with a terracotta lip.
Soft Updo, 1947
Throughout her life Elizabeth short hair, from tight curls to pixie cuts. At her wedding to Prince Phillip she opted for a softer, more romantic updo reflective of their love-match.
Pixie Cut, 1954
Getty: Fox Photos / Stringer
On her tour of Australia the queen beat the heat and showed off her dress detail with a closely cropped pixie cut.
Bright Red Lip, 1956
Getty Images: Bettmann
As a young Queen, Elizabeth II favoured deep red lipstick – which she wore on her Nigerian tour with Prince Phillip.
Regal Red Lip
For her coronation the Young Queen wore a suitably regal deep red lip. She would favour this shade until the latter part of her reign when she switched to soft corals, brighter reds and pinks. She looked every part the monarch as she posed with her husband the Duke of Edinburgh at Buckingham Palace.
Neon Pink, 2005
An early adopter of the Barbiecore trend? Queen Elizabeth II paired a perfectly coordinated pink lip with her power suite at the Queen’s Cup final polo match in her honour in 2005.
Monochromatic Power Red, 2021
Later in life Queen Elizabeth II favoured monochromatic beauty looks paired with bold outfits in cheerful primary colours. Touchingly, as the recently widowed queen delivered her Annual Christmas Broadcast in 2021 she sat by an image of herself and her husband Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh during their Diamond Wedding Anniversary in Broadlands Newe Hampshire.
New Look Hair, 2022
Queen Elizabeth II’s cropped hair drew compliments at her Platinum Jubilee this year. In her later years the monarch favourite softer lip-looks, this fresh coral pink perfectly offset her mint green suit.
