It was a moment no one saw coming. On Tuesday, February 20, Queen Elizabeth II graced London Fashion Week with an unexpected visit, taking a front-row seat at the Richard Quinn show. The legendary monarch wasn’t just there to enjoy the spectacle; she had a special mission. She was there to present the inaugural Queen Elizabeth II Award for British Design to the talented young designer Richard Quinn. This award is a celebration of British creativity and innovation in the world of fashion, and what better way to honor it than with the Queen herself in attendance?
Flanked by none other than Caroline Rush, the chief executive of the British Fashion Council, and the iconic Anna Wintour, editor of Vogue, Queen Elizabeth made a stylish entrance in a duck egg blue skirt suit designed by her trusted stylist, Angela Kelly. Of course, she carried one of her signature handbags, which, as it turns out, is more than just a fashion statement. There's a whole secret language behind the Queen's handbag movements. According to royal historian Hugo Vickers, when Her Majesty shifts her bag from one hand to the other, it’s a subtle signal to her staff that she's ready to wrap things up. "It would be very worrying if you were talking to the Queen and saw the handbag move from one hand to the other," Vickers revealed. And if the bag ends up on the floor? That’s her way of saying the event should conclude within five minutes.
Her Royal Presence at Fashion Week
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Queen Elizabeth stayed for a while, making it a historic moment as she became the first reigning monarch to attend a London Fashion Week event. Her late sister, Princess Margaret, was the last royal family member to attend a major fashion event back in 1954 when she graced Dior’s couture show at Blenheim Palace. This appearance by the Queen is a clear indication of her support for British fashion and her willingness to engage with modern cultural movements.
Introducing Richard Quinn
Richard Quinn, a London-born designer, made waves when he launched his eponymous label in 2016. A graduate of the prestigious Fashion MA course at Central Saint Martins, Quinn quickly established himself as a force to be reckoned with in the fashion world. His bold designs and innovative approach have earned him recognition and admiration from fashion critics and enthusiasts alike. Presenting him with the Queen Elizabeth II Award for British Design was a fitting acknowledgment of his contributions to the industry.
This event took place just a day after Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge, and Sophie, Countess of Wessex, hosted a soiree at Buckingham Palace to launch the Commonwealth Fashion Exchange. The initiative aims to leverage fashion as a universal language to transform perceptions of the modern Commonwealth. It’s fascinating to see how the royal family continues to engage with global issues through creative and cultural platforms.
Some parts of this story were written by Rebecca Cope and originally appeared on our sister site, Grazia Daily.
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