From pretty sundresses as a young princess to tweed skirts and gilets as a 92-year-old Queen, these charming photos reveal how Her Majesty’s Royal Windsor Horse Show style has evolved over the decades.
The then teenage Princess Elizabeth attended the inaugural equestrian competition in 1943, which was held to support a wartime fundraising campaign to purchase Hurricanes and Spitfires for the RAF.
As was expected, Princess Elizabeth donned demure frocks and ladylike heels as she joined her father, and later her husband, for the event in its earliest iterations.
Over time the monarch, who has attended every horse show since, has developed a practical look more suitable for the country show and now favours cardigans, long skirts – and a sturdy pair of leather shoes.
Now, as the Queen attends the 75th Royal Windsor Horse Show, FEMAIL has enlisted the help of stylist Helen Canning Ford to look back at some of her most memorable looks – captured in images from the horse show’s archives.
Helen said: ‘Starting out as a young Princess in the latest fashions, passing through the decades to the present day as longest-reigning British Monarch, these photos show the Queen’s style evolution from pretty peep-toes to a more practical approach to dressing for Royal Windsor, complete with trademark headscarves.’
1947
Young love: Princess Elizabeth with Philip Mountbatten at the event in 1947, months before their marriage. In 1947 the show was extended to three days to include more classes
Helen said: ‘Princess Elizabeth wears all the fashionable essentials of the period in a shirtwaist dress and jacket with decorative lapel pin, rows of pearls, and matching hat and gloves with ankle strap heels; exactly what would have been expected of Her Royal Highness at such an outing.’
1953
Young Queen: Elizabeth at the Horse Show in 1953, around the time of her Coronation
Helen said: ‘In line with Dior’s New Look of the late 1940s the full-skirted mid-length dress shape came to the fore in the 1950s and as Elizabeth was still only in her mid twenties by now, keeping up-to-date with the hourglass-enhancing style of the moment brought a youthfulness to the royal family’s style.
‘Matching accessories and pearls with peep-toe heels add polish to this elegant and contemporary look.’
1977
Capturing the shot: The Queen snaps a photograph of the action at the annual event
Helen said: ‘Twenty-four years on and Her Majesty moves from elegant show-goer style to take on a more practical approach to Royal Windsor attire donning her trademark headscarf, woollen coat and flat shoes.
‘A wise move with corgis in tow and it’s clear the focus is on making the most of attending this event for her own keen interest in horses.’
1983
Countryside chic: The Queen dons a fresh pair of riding style boots for the show’s 40th year
Helen said: ‘There’s a definite equestrian twist to the Queen’s outfit this year with a neat, nipped in jacket and pleat front skirt finished with riding style boots. It’s countryside chic with a formal edge.’
1986
Family outing: The Queen with Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson, shortly before the wedding
The sporting jacket replaced HM’s tailored jacket as a more casual outerwear option later in the 1980s paired with the trusty checked skirt.
1992
Summer florals: The Queen carries a guide to the competition as she steps out in 1992
Helen said: ‘The 90s saw a brief sartorial switch back to a printed dress and a bit of a heel for a fair-weather style update.’
2006
Eagle-eyed: The Queen keeps a close eye on the action as she attends her 63rd horse show
Helen said: ‘A classic country look from the Queen in 2006 with practical layers above a heritage tweed skirt and a colour-coordinating printed silk headscarf – now a trend according to British Vogue’s current June issue with Her Majesty as muse.’
2018
Tried and tested: The Queen opted for a tweed skirt, gilet and cardigan on Wednesday
Helen said: ‘The trusty fringed lace-ups get another outing this season along with the tried and tested formula of pleated skirt, cardigan and gilet.
‘Over the decades the Queen has clearly found her go-to look for Royal Windsor and I expect comfort is key; it would be great to see a return to the floral dress again next year though, with coordinating gloves and hat, of course!’