The Queen’s fashion rules

Her Majesty’s wardrobe is unexpectedly stylish during her Canadian tour

Anne Kingston and Patricia Treble

July 5, 2010

Monday, June 28 Day 1, Arrival, Halifax Ready for rain, the Queen’s colour coordination extends to her rain gear

This is what 84 looks like! Queen Elizabeth II emerged with an unexpected fashion plate during her Canadian tour. Her playful colour sense—bubblegum pink and citron, lilac and apple green—telegraphs a joyful attitude and suggests inspiration from her American BFF, Michelle Obama. Clearly Her Maj is having a blast.Next: Tuesday

Tuesday, June 29 Day 2, International Fleet Review, Halifax Nautically appropriate in white and blue, the Queen takes her bows to the limit

Tuesday, June 29 Day 2, Celebration of Nova Scotia, Halifax Glowing in gold, Canada’s sovereign pairs a glistening brocade jacket—adorned with a new maple-leaf brooch—and a flirty skirt

Next: Wednesday

Wednesday, June 30 Day 3, Leaving Halifax A celery-hued hat and jacket, topping a floral skirt, brings a fresh approach to the traditional garden walkabout

Wednesday, June 30 Day 3, Canadian Museum of Nature, Ottawa The monarch masters the art of standing out without appearing garish

Next: Thursday

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Thursday, July 1 Day 4, Canada Day, Ottawa Her designer apparently Panatone-matched her outfit to the flag. A blingy maple-leaf brooch completes the nationalist display.

Next: Friday

Friday, July 2 Day 5, Ottawa, with Michael Ignatieff For a tête-à-tête with the Liberal leader, the Queen exuded a queen-mumsy vibe in a floral frock

Next: Saturday

Saturday, July 3 Day 6, Leaving Ottawa for Winnipeg Again riffing on a garden theme, this outfit combines lilac with apple green accents and what seems to be a spray of chives on the hat

Saturday, July 3 Day 6, Arrival in Winnipeg A mid-air costume change ups the lilac wattage

Saturday, July 3 Day 6, Winnipeg Never shrinking in the face of steamy temperatures, Elizabeth II dazzles in a hot pink-and-chrome yellow cabbage-flower dress, equaled by a spectacular two-tone chapeau

Next: Sunday

Sunday, July 4 Day 7, Toronto Cool and fresh in aquatic colours at the start of a humid day

Sunday, July 4 Day 7, Queen’s Plate, Toronto The flashes of colour on the hat and embroidered skirt, add a little heat to the cool turquoise silk outfit

Next: Monday

Monday, July 5 Day 8, Research In Motion, Waterloo The Queen wears a dramatically festooned hat to avoid being "just another suit" during a tour of RIM’s factory

Monday, July 5, 2010 Day 8, Official dinner, Toronto Who else can get away with mixing a crystal maple-leaf encrusted gown with priceless family gems, dating back a century? Only Elizabeth II, a.k.a. the "ice queen."