The Queen has a number of very specific wardrobe requirements. Skirts must not be too short so they don't ride up when she sits down; jackets must be buttoned, so they don't fall open when she waves. Hems of dresses are often weighted, to avoid blowing around in the wind. The Queen cannot wear dark colours because she will look like she's in mourning; beige is too neutral and invisible, especially given the Queen's diminutive 5ft 3in-stature. This is why the Queen tends to wear blocks of strong colour - aquamarines, fuschia pinks, jade green, daffodil yellow.

The Queen's wardrobe also has symbolic significance; on state visits, her clothes pay tribute - in either the colour or the design - to the country she is visiting.

Over the years, the Queen has relied on the service of a handful of designers who understand these requirements and are able to interpret them creatively: Norman Hartnell, Hardy Amies, Ian Thomas, Stewart Parvin. In the last decade the Queen's dresser, Angela Kelly, has created her own designs, which are made by an in-house team at Buckingham Palace.

Norman Hartnell

Hardy Amies

Ian Thomas

Angela Kelly

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