Her Majesty’s A Pretty Nice Girl
Manolo says, here, from the Vanity Fair photo retrospective of Elizabethan hats, comes the most shocking photo ever of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II.
It is 1954, and in Australia for one, brief, glorious moment, the Queen is perfectly au courant. She is not the redoubtable, middle-class matron who visits hospitals and endures the antics of her louche children, but rather the stunningly-attired, 28-year-old, semi-hotty.
Everything about this is exactly perfect, from the hat to the shoes, from the gloves to the lace. This is the example of how the woman who has not been granted great beauty, can none-the-less become mesmerizing through the use of beautiful clothing and proper carriage.
0
Comments
Julie 13 years ago
Manolo! You should get hold of the book “Be Dazzled” about Norman Hartnell! It’s an unfortunate title, but a wonderful art-book full of pictures. And full of examples of the attention the new queen got from the fashion press. That Australia tour in particular was closely covered.
Manolo the Shoeblogger 13 years ago
The Manolo has just ordered it from the Amazon! Many thanks for suggesting this book.
ChaChaHeels 13 years ago
I think the Queen has always been criticized as “the not so attractive one” because her sister was the more beautiful of the two princesses. She was never unattractive, though, she was quite stylish and very pretty when she was younger, as this photo and many others of the time suggest. Now we think of her as a little dowdy, but she’s in her 80’s and she’s pretty much seen (and worn) everything. It’s hard to us to realize or remember that once upon a time it really was the aristrocracy who determined what was fashionable and what was not, because we look to celebrities and the very young and well known for that direction.
Patty 13 years ago
I’ve always considered the Queen as a lovely woman with a beautiful complexion, bright blue eyes and the healthy look that comes from a life spent outdoors whenever possible. Her clothing now is matronly, of course, but many of the official portraits and candids of her are quite beautiful in a very natural, appealing sort of way.
Gemdiva 13 years ago
Fabulous photo! I have always thought that Her Majesty dressed in an age appropriate manner. Glamour was never her strong suit in later years, but she always exuded class in her demeanor and carriage. In short, she is “The Queen”.
Miss Janey 13 years ago
Miss J LOVES old photos of HRH. She was stunning in her day.