What 49 Celebrities Wore to Meet the Queen
What 49 Celebrities Wore to Meet the Queen
Fashion thought exercise: What would you wear to meet the Queen of England? Jeans? Your prom dress? A power suit? Here, find out what 50 famous people decided to wear when they whipped out their best curtsy for her Majesty, from the classic looks to the ever-so-slightly inappropriate ones.
1952: Kirk Douglas
When meeting Queen Elizabeth at the Royal Command premiere of Because You’re Mine, Kirk Douglas looked the very definition of dashing in a classic white tie tuxedo—he even treated the Queen to a bow. What a class act.
1955: Ava Gardner
When Queen Elizabeth chatted with screen star Ava Gardner at the premiere of To Catch a Thief, the actress looked impossibly chic in a black evening gown and matching gloves.
1956: Marilyn Monroe
For her royal moment, Marilyn Monroe opted for a strapless gown with elbow length silk gloves. Still sexy, of course, but tasteful too.
1957: Jayne Mansfield
Jayne Mansfield chose a gown with a high, beaded neckline when she met the Queen at a reception for the Royal Film Performance. The movie star’s bling almost outshined the monarch’s.
1965: The Beatles
Even though this wasn’t The Beatles’ first time meeting the Queen (they performed for her in 1963 and John Lennon famously told her to “just rattle your jewelry” while they played “Twist and Shout”), this was the most honorable occasion. The Queen awarded them The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1965 and they sported classic black suits for the event, naturally.
1966: Raquel Welch
Not one to play the wallflower, Raquel Welch reached for an ostrich feather shawl for her meet-and-greet with the Queen at the premiere of Born Free.
1966: Maggie Smith
Before she was damed by the Queen, Maggie Smith met the monarch at a charity premiere for her film Othello. Maggie wore a sophisticated black evening dress and a jeweled broach for the occasion.
1966: Catherine Deneuve
French actress Catherine Deneuve greeted Queen Elizabeth with a respectful curtsy, which is all fine and good, but can we talk about her dress? The red beading details. The matching earrings. It's all so good.
1975: Barbra Streisand
Barbra Streisand showed up in your casual hooded gown to meet the Queen at the premiere of Funny Lady in 1975. She’s Barbra Streisand, she can wear whatever she wants.
1976: Elizabeth Taylor
Elizabeth met Elizabeth at a charity gala in 1976. The icons are basically twinning, from their dress colors down to their over-the-top jewelry.
1979: Cybill Shepherd
Actress Cybill Shepherd was pregnant when she met the queen at the premiere of The Lady Vanishes in 1979, but that didn’t hold her back. Her fancy meet-the-Queen look: A sheer beaded and feathered caftan dress.
1980: Meryl Streep
How does Meryl Streep always manage to get it right? At the premiere of Kramer vs. Kramer, the Academy Award-winning actress donned a full white skirt and crisp white evening jacket to meet the monarch.
1981: Cliff Richard
Queen Elizabeth looked stunned meeting singer Cliff Richard and after seeing his gilded blazer. It’s bold, sure, but it somehow works.
1980: Pope John Paul II
This time, it's Queen Elizabeth who dresses up for her meeting with Pope John Paul II. Nothing to see here, just two heads of the church chatting it up.
1982: Sally Field
At the premiere of Absence of Malice, Sally Field did what any honorable woman of the ’80s would do. She rocked her biggest puff sleeves for the Queen.
1997: The Spice Girls
The Spice Girls showed up to their Royal Command Performance dressed to the nines. But the Queen still stole the show. Not that it’s a competition. Girl power!
1998: Natasha Richardson
Actress Natasha Richardson looked effortlessly chic in a flowy peasant gown. If you look closely, you can see her Parent Trap costar, Dennis Quaid, greeting Prince Philip in the background at the film’s London premiere.
1999: Vivienne Westwood
Fashion designer Vivienne Westwood is known for her off-beat personality and famously forgot to wear knickers under her dress when receiving an OBE in 1992. A few years later at a luncheon at Buckingham Palace, she opted for tights. Wise.
2000: Jim Carrey and Renée Zellweger
Jim Carrey and Renée Zellweger looked polished in a classic tux and navy gown as they made their way to the reception line to meet the Queen at Carrey’s film, The Grinch.
2001: Jennifer Lopez
Jennifer Lopez slayed in the emerald green chiffon gown she wore to meet Queen Elizabeth after performing at the Royal Variety Performance.
2002: Madonna
This is what it looks like when the Queen of Pop meets the Queen of England at the premiere of Die Another Day. Also, please note Madonna’s killer arms.
2002: Halle Berry
Looks like Halle Berry got the elbow length glove note. She pulled out all the stops for her outfit to meet the Queen. Silk, diamonds, embroidery, the works.
2003: Alexander McQueen
British fashion designer Alexander McQueen chose to honor his heritage and sported a tartan sash and matching hat when he was awarded an OBE by Queen Elizabeth.
2004: J.K. Rowling
The Harry Potter author opted for a light pink monochrome suit and paired it with a pale pink Burberry purse.
2004: Twiggy
Who wants to bet they’re swapping stories of Andy Warhol and Studio 54? The fashion model paired black pants and a white button-down with a deep purple blazer for the occasion.
2004: Natascha McElhone
While attending the premiere of The Truman Show, actress Natascha McElhone chatted with Queen Elizabeth while wearing a slinky, pink silk dress.
2005: Judi Dench
Not only did she play the Queen in Shakespeare in Love, but Dame Judi Dench also kind of copied the Queen’s hairstyle when she met her in real life.
2005: Shirley Bassey
Queen Elizabeth and singer Shirley Bassey had a major twinning moment while backstage at the Royal Variety Performance. Red is really both of their colors.
2006: Daniel Craig
We wonder if Queen Elizabeth is as charmed by Daniel Craig in a sharp tuxedo as we are. Judging by the look of their interaction here, we'd say yes.
2006: Thandie Newton
British actress Thandie Newton kept things elegant and simple in a little black dress with sheer paneling when meeting Queen Elizabeth at a palace reception. She also seems to have the whole curtsy thing down pat.
2007: Enrique Iglesias
Enrique, you couldn’t change out of your jeans to meet the Queen!? Her Majesty didn’t really seem to mind the fashion faux pas, so Enrique really must be that cute in real life.
2009: Miley Cyrus
I’m not sure what Queen Elizabeth would think of Miley’s fashion choices today, but back in 2009, she seemed to approve of the star’s burnt orange gown.
2009: Lady Gaga
At the peak of Lady Gaga’s kooky outfits, the singer met Queen Elizabeth after the Royal Variety Performance wearing a cherry-red latex gown accompanied by a red bedazzled eye mask.
2011: Ellie Goulding
We'd like to think that Prince Harry’s grandma set him up with Ellie Goulding after this meeting at Buckingham Palace. After all, it happened the same year the two were reportedly linked.
2011: Yoko Ono
Years after her husband’s assassination, Yoko Ono met Queen Elizabeth at the Museum of Liverpool. For the royal occasion, Yoko wore a black suit, hat, and white gloves.
2012: Katie Couric
Hundreds of onlookers watched as Queen Elizabeth welcomed journalist Katie Couric to her Buckingham Palace Garden Party, for which she was dressed in a mauve shift dress and white fascinator.
2012: Elton John
What’d you expect? Elton John to wear something understated? The legendary singer went with a colorful blazer and sunglasses, of course.
2012: will.i.am
will.i.am dressed in a red military jacket and pants when he met Queen Elizabeth after his performance at her Diamond Jubilee Concert.
2012: Kate Winslet
Kate Winslet oozed British class and aristocracy in a feathered fascinator and black peplum suit jacket after receiving her OBE from the Queen at Buckingham Palace.
2013: Stella McCartney
Of course British designer Stella McCartney would know exactly what to wear while visiting the Queen at Buckingham Palace to receive an OBE: a navy suit, velvet pumps, and a fishnet fascinator.
2013: Carey Mulligan
Nothing to see here, just another actress wearing another dark blue dress to meet the Queen. Carey Mulligan’s belted number is on the more casual side of the spectrum.
2013: Adele
Adele opted for an embroidered navy A-line dress and a statement headpiece for her visit to receive an OBE from the Queen. And just like that, we're not bored by blue dresses anymore.
2013: Ewan McGregor
Ewan McGregor received an OBE from the Queen in 2013 and the Scottish actor sported the traditional kilt for the honor—high knee socks and all.
2014: Joan Collins
Joan Collins isn’t the muted outfit type—and the silver metallic jacket she wore to meet the Queen is proof. She almost upstaged the Queen, but everyone knows that’s impossible.
2014: Angelina Jolie
Angelina Jolie wore a pale collared suit to meet the Queen when she received an honorary damehood for her work in UK foreign policies and in the campaign to stop war-zone sexual violence.
2015: David Beckham
Mr. Beckham first met the Queen in 2003 when he received an OBE. Over a decade later, in 2015, the soccer star opted for a black and white polka dot tie and suit to hang with her Majesty at Buckingham Palace for a reception of the Queen’s Young Leaders program.
2015: Sophie Hunter and Benedict Cumberbatch
Benedict Cumberbatch was bestowed with a Commander of the British Empire award in 2015. For the affair, the actor sported a traditional morning coat, while his wife, Sophie Hunter, wore a shift dress and netted fascinator.
2018: Emma Thompson
Emma Thompson isn’t about to change her style just because she’s heading to the palace. The always-cool actress rocked white sneakers with her navy suit set to receive her damehood honor at Buckingham Palace.
2018: Keira Knightley
That belt, those shoes, that jaunty hat. Keira Knightley’s chic yellow Chanel suit and accessories are the stuff of dreams.
Two words: Lady Gaga.