Royal Designer Reveals Queen Elizabeth’s Strict Fashion Rules — and Why Measuring Her Was Off-Limits
Queen Elizabeth II’s iconic style followed strict royal rules, with designers revealing the surprising protocols behind every outfit
Queen Elizabeth was a real fashionista and never afraid to put on a daring outfit. However, dressing the monarch came with many rules that designers had to follow at all times. Even though Stewart Parvin worked closely with the late Queen for years, their relationship was never as relaxed as you might expect. He was one of her most trusted designers toward the end of her life, behind several standout looks, including that bright neon green outfit she wore to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding.
The Queen clearly relied on Parvin when it came to making bold style choices. But despite that trust, there were still strict royal protocols in place, so he had to keep things professional at all times and maintain a certain distance from Her Majesty. He said in an interview with The Telegraph, “I told them that I needed to have measurements, but you can’t measure the Queen. They sent me some garments that I then based my calicoes upon.”
Parvin explained that, instead of taking fresh measurements, he had to rely on her existing clothes to figure out sizing and proportions. The Queen was not only incredibly busy but also very private, and she preferred to avoid unnecessary physical contact. While most designers depend on up-to-date measurements for a perfect fit, she declined to be measured. “We would look at the garments in daylight and in electric light. It’s really important how they photograph in different lights,” he explained the intricate process of designing outfits for the Queen.
Natasha Archer, who used to work closely with Kate Middleton, confirmed the same thing and revealed just how much planning and detail actually go into royal outfits behind the scenes. “It’s everything—what floor are you going to be walking on? How hot is it going to be? Is it going to be windy? Are you going to be sitting in a prominent position? Are you going to be up and down, saying hello to guests?” she revealed to The Telegraph.
Parvin basically said designing for Elizabeth was not just about how things looked; it had to work perfectly in motion, too. He explained that her outfits were carefully made so she could step out of a car or carriage without any awkward moments. He said, “You also have to make clothes in which the Queen could get out of a carriage or get out of a car without any mishaps.”
Since the Queen was instantly in the spotlight the second she arrived somewhere, everything had to fall just right. The clothes needed to move well and look flawless from every angle, at all times. He emphasized by saying, “When the Queen arrives, she’s instantly on show. The clothes have to flow in a way that they look perfect all the time.”
