Queen Elizabeth II was a surprise guest on Tuesday afternoon at Richard Quinn’s show, the last of London fashion week and his second ever. There was a hush as she entered the room, with the audience standing up to greet the monarch and, of course, raising their phones to get that all-important social media picture.
The Queen of England and the Queen of Fashion
The Queen sat front row, of course – with a special cushion placed on her seat – beside the Queen of Fashion, Anna Wintour. She even shared a joke with Wintour, who wore her trademark sunglasses throughout the show.
Spurning this season’s front row trends such as trench coats and power shoes, Her Majesty wore an ice-blue skirt suit, black handbag, black gloves and sensible shoes.
The Monarch was present to give Richard Quinn the inaugural Queen Elizabeth II award for British design, organised by Kelly and the British Fashion Council.
Introducing her, the BFC’s chief executive, Caroline Rush, paid tribute: “Your Majesty, I know you do not wish to be known as a fashion icon, but for all of us in this room, who have this upmost respect for you … we know you undoubtedly are.”
