Queen Elizabeth II was renowned as a style icon, instantly recognizable worldwide for her distinctive fashion sense.

And on the latest episode of the Daily Mail’s Palace Confidential, host Jo Elvin and a panel of royal fashion experts reveal the secrets of Her Majesty’s inimitable fashion sense.

Her signature look, characterized by bold monochromatic ensembles, was carefully crafted over the years with guidance from a select group of trusted advisors.

In her early years, the Queen often wore matching outfits with her sister, Princess Margaret, which, as noted by fashion commentator Jo, gave her an endearing ‘cute look’ and made her appear younger than her actual age.

As a teenager images of her during her mechanics outfit in WW2 again suggested a practical, no-nonsense monarch.

According to Claire Ciscotti, the Daily Mail’s assistant editor for royal affairs, “She had a practical nature even in her choice of clothing. It was as though she could strip an engine in that suit.” Ciscotti believes that while fashion wasn’t her top priority, the Queen dressed with intention.

“She dressed for the occasion,” Ciscotti added. “In the countryside, she opted for tweed and tartan, while for public appearances, she chose bright colors. Fashion may not have been her primary focus, but she always had a purpose behind her choices.”

Host Jo Elvin added: ‘She didn’t sit around dreaming about outfits, not like her sister, desperate to get to Prada, but she understood the iconography of the Queen and what she had to wear exactly.’ 

Three of Queen Elizabeth’s iconic block colour outfits, featuring Her Majesty in (l-r) bright pink (2007), sky blue (2017) and lime green (2017)

Queen Elizabeth (then Princess Elizabeth) in her iconic wedding dress, along her husband Prince Philip Mountbatten on November 20, 1947

Elizabeth’s wedding dress is the star of a new exhibition, Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style, at the King’s Gallery in Buckingham Palace 

Perhaps Elizabeth’s first moment of fashion immortality was her stunning wedding dress, which she wore to wed Prince Philip Mountbatten on November 20, 1947.

As the Mail’s royal editor Rebecca English recounts, the gown was embellished with 10,000 seed pearls that one of designer Norman Hartnell’s team had gone out to the States to acquire.

Rebecca explains: ‘Apparently she used her war coupons to buy the silk. A lot of brides around the country tried to gift her their vouchers, their coupons, so that she could have more a more extravagant dress. 

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‘That was illegal, so they had to go back, and the dress itself was made out of this exquisite silk. It was woven in Britain from Chinese silkworms, not Japanese or Italian, because they were our enemies during the war.’ 

But what Elizabeth really became known for was her use of colour, which became more pronounced with the appointment of Angela Kelly as her dresser in 1994. 

Rebecca English said: ‘I think it’s very fair to say Angela was very, very hands on with the Queen in terms of turning the dial on her fashion. 

‘People say to me, ‘You should have seen them together.’ They actually had real fun with it as well. It was not very often that the Queen could cut loose in a way. And Angela once said, without slipping over boundaries, they felt like sisters as well, she instinctively knew what worked for her. 

‘And that’s the thing with Queen Elizabeth. She had very few people in her life she could trust. But once she trusted you, she trusted you implicitly.

‘Someone once said to me that Angela would try to push her a little bit, you know. The Queen used to stick to a cut of a coat or the shape of a hat, but Angela would often try to just turn things up a little bit.’ 

Preferring classic pieces that could be re-worn time and time again, the Queen’s style didn’t change much over the course of her adult life as she continued to step out in her favourite designers from the 1950s until her death – though her choice of colours got bolder over time

The Mail’s royal editor Rebecca English revealed that the Queen was fond of the colour lilac

However, Her Majesty reportedly did not like the colour purple – despite it being historically considered a regal hue

But despite being known for her bold colour palette, Rebecca English reveals that Her Majesty was not fond of purple – generally considered the most regal of hues.  

Rebecca said: ‘I spoke to someone this week who’d dressed the queen for many years, and I said, ‘Oh, did she have any favorite colors?’ And they said to me, blue, pink, lilac. 

‘But she didn’t massively like purple, because she thought it was a mourning colour. She did wear purple, but she preferred lilac, she was less keen on a strong purple. But Blue was absolutely a favorite.’

While bold shades made it easier for the public to spot her, away from her royal duties the monarch was fond of much more muted colours like beige.

Host Jo Elvin explained: ‘During walkabout, she once said, ‘If I wore beige, no one would know who I was.’ 

‘The plain color made up just one per cent of the Queen’s wardrobe in 2012 but there was still a time and a place for beige, namely when the Queen wanted to go incognito in the grounds of Windsor all Balmoral.’ 

And as the panel explain, Catherine, Princess of Wales, appears to have taken a leaf out of the Queen’s style guide by employing the technique of ‘colour drenching’. 

Fashion designer Amanda Wakeley OBE said: ‘I think actually our current Princess of Wales is doing it even better, because she goes one step further and the shoes are the same color as the coat or the dress and the hat.

‘It’s really eye catching. Melania Trump does it quite well too, but I think Catherine is doing it sensationally.

‘What I loved about the Queen was, you know, she’d do this block colour, the hat, the coat, the dress, and then it was always the black shoes and the black lounger bag.

‘But then, if it was raining, she’d have the Fulton umbrella, the see through umbrella trimmed with the color of the dress and the hat. And I thought that was very a beautiful touch.’

To hear more of the royal family’s best kept fashion secrets, subscribe to Palace Confidential on YouTube now. 

The trial of a British teacher and his partner, accused of the horrific crimes of sexually abusing and murdering a baby boy they were in the process of adopting, took an unexpected turn on Thursday when the jury was dismissed.

Jamie Varley, aged 37, and John McGowan-Fazakerley, aged 32, were facing trial for their alleged offenses against 13-month-old Preston Davey. However, the judge, Justice Mark Turner, decided to discharge the jury, made up of six men and six women, according to a report by the Manchester Evening News.

No immediate explanation was provided for the jury’s discharge.

“Circumstances have arisen which make it impossible for this trial to continue,” Justice Turner explained to the jury at Preston Crown Court, located in northwest England.

He went on to praise the jury, saying, “I commend your evident attention and concentration over the past few days. You have fulfilled your duty, and this decision should not be seen as any criticism of you.”

“I’m afraid I’m left with no reasonable alternative … with a heavy heart I discharge you from this trial,” the judge said.

The jury previously heard how Davey was allegedly suffocated to death by Varley, just four months after he was placed in the couple’s care.

The tot was “routinely ill-treated, sexually abused and physically assaulted,” by Varley, a school teacher, and his boyfriend, prosecuting lawyer Peter Wright told the jury.

On three separate occasions, he was taken to the hospital, including once with a fractured arm, before he died on July 27, 2023.

In a significant victory for anti-smoking advocates, the UK Parliament has successfully passed a groundbreaking bill designed to prevent future generations from accessing cigarettes.

“The end of smoking and its devastating consequences is no longer a matter of ‘if,’ but ‘when,'” declared Hazel Cheeseman, Chief Executive of Action on Smoking and Health, following the approval of this landmark legislation on Tuesday, marking the culmination of a campaign spanning decades.

The Tobacco and Vapes Bill stipulates that individuals born after December 31, 2008, will be prohibited from purchasing cigarettes at any point in their lives.

Once King Charles III gives his formal assent—a customary procedure—the law will empower the government to impose regulations on tobacco, vaping, and nicotine products, including restrictions on flavors and packaging.

Currently, it is illegal to sell cigarettes, tobacco products, or vapes to anyone under 18. However, under this new bill, the minimum age for purchasing cigarettes will increase annually, effectively imposing a lifelong ban for today’s youth.

The passage gives the U.K. one of the toughest anti-smoking measures in the world. The law is similar to one New Zealand lawmakers passed in 2022, but that was repealed by a subsequent government.

The number of people who smoke in Britain has declined by two-thirds since the 1970s, but some 6.4 million people – or about 13% of the population – still smoke, according to official figures.

Authorities say smoking causes some 80,000 deaths a year in the U.K, and remains the number one preventable cause of death, disability and poor health.

“Children in the U.K. will be part of the first smoke-free generation, protected from a lifetime of addiction and harm,” Health Secretary Wes Streeting said.

A man from California has confessed to orchestrating a nationwide “crime tourism” operation, facilitating fraudulent car rentals that enabled international thieves to pilfer approximately $24 million in high-end merchandise.

Juan Carlos “Pacero” Thola-Duran, aged 59, admitted guilt to charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, receiving and transporting stolen goods across state lines, and engaging in money laundering. He also confessed to structuring financial transactions to evade federal reporting mandates, as confirmed by the U.S. Department of Justice in federal court on Monday.

Prosecutors disclosed that Thola-Duran teamed up with his then-girlfriend, Ana Maria Arriagada, to establish a fake car rental business based in Van Nuys, named Driver Power Rentals (DPR).

Federal authorities noted that Arriagada was officially registered as the owner of this sham company. She had already pled guilty to four felony charges related to the operation last year, according to the DOJ.

The U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California reported that multiple individuals were apprehended for their suspected roles in this Los Angeles-centered “crime tourism” network.

Operating under the guise of the pair’s falsified business, Thola-Duran directed associates – who were often members of crime tourism theft groups from South America – to travel throughout the United States to “commit thefts, including shoplifting goods from stores, burglarizing residences and commercial businesses, and stealing victims’ credit cards and debit cards,” prosecutors said. 

Thola-Duran and Arriagada then provided vehicles licensed under DPR to the various co-conspirators so they could travel to and from the burglaries, while instructing them to use fake identities to make the rental agreements look legitimate. 

“Thola-Duran and Arriagada directed the thief co-conspirators who stole credit or debit cards to immediately go to stores such as Target, Best Buy, The Home Depot and others to max out the stolen cards by purchasing electronics, gift cards, designer purses and other high-end luxury goods before the stolen cards could be frozen or cancelled,” prosecutors said.

A surveillance image shared by Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer shows a pair of masked thieves breaking into a California home. Authorities say the thieves in this image were tied to Juan Carlos “Pacero” Thola-Duran’s “crime tourism” ring operating out of Van Nuys. (Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer)

The thieves would later be instructed to deliver or mail the items to co-conspirators, who would then bring them to Thola-Duran. 

Prosecutors said Thola-Duran would act as a “fence” to purchase the items for a discounted rate and pay the thieves a portion of the sales. 

The items were then sold to other buyers, with Thola-Duran raking in at least $5,758,655 from various fences, including approximately $5.2 million from the bank accounts of a Van Nuys electronics exporter.

Juan Carlos Thola-Duran, 57, and his girlfriend, Ana Maria Arriagada, 41, operated Driver Power Rentals (DPR) in Los Angeles, California. (FOX 11)

Additionally, Thola-Duran, Arriagada and others worked together to fraudulently obtain roughly $250,000 in COVID-19 business relief loans, authorities said. 

Thola-Duran and his accomplices used the money to purchase various assets, including real estate and horses, according to prosecutors.

The thieves also worked to only withdraw money from their accounts in $10,000 increments, in an effort to prevent banks from reporting the amounts – as required by federal law. 

Prosecutors revealed Thola-Duran’s scheme impacted at least 37 victims and resulted in roughly $23.9 million in losses.

Two alleged co-defendants, Patricia Enderton, 45, and Federico Jorge Triebel IV, 79, pleaded not guilty in the case and are set to go to trial later this year. 

Thola-Duran faces the possibility of up to 55 years in federal prison when he appears for sentencing in the coming months, the DOJ said.

His guilty plea is the fourth to be secured by federal prosecutors in this case, with seven individuals facing charges stemming from the alleged crime tourism ring. 

“Since 2019, we have arrested over 130 suspects responsible for perpetrating these crimes, with the vast majority using cars supplied by Driver Power Rentals,” Ventura County Sheriff James Fryhoff said in a previous press release.

“These criminals were running a burglary operation with a sophistication that rivals Amazon,” Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer previously said in a statement about these crime rings. “Instead of dispatching delivery drivers, they were dispatching trained thieves throughout Southern California to steal from what should be where we are safest — our homes.”

The DOJ did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment. 

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Selecting your ideal wedding dress is no small task. Whether you have a distinct vision in mind or are starting from scratch, the journey can be daunting. You’re either overwhelmed by an avalanche of choices or struggling to discover “the one” in reality.

While it might be tempting to chase after the latest trends—such as Princess Diana’s iconic gown from the 1980s—opting for a timeless style is generally a safer choice. After all, your wedding photos will be cherished for a lifetime.

Some fortunate brides recognize their perfect dress the instant they try it on. However, for meticulous planners like myself, who agonize over decisions, it often means slipping into countless options. I lost track after trying on about 20 dresses, as I wanted to explore all possibilities.

To simplify this process for future brides, I consulted Lisa Talbot, an award-winning personal stylist, to gather her expert advice on finding the perfect wedding dress.

‘Weddings are one of the few occasions where style becomes truly emotional,’ she explains.

‘The dress isn’t just about fashion, it’s about the memory, photography, and how you’ll look back on that moment in 10, 20 or even 30 years’ time. And that’s exactly why some styles feel timeless, while others can date surprisingly quickly.’

This season, high street bridal has truly stepped up. From Karen Millen, Monsoon and Coast to Ghost and Rixo, there’s something to suit every style – without the eye-watering price tag. 

Below, we break down the silhouettes, fabrics and detailing to look out for – and what to steer clear of – along with a curated high street edit to shop now. 

Timeless wedding dress styles

According to Lisa, ‘the most enduring wedding dress silhouettes are the ones that feel elegant without trying too hard.’ Classic shapes are key – think A-line , ballgown , column , or even a simple 90s-inspired slip

According to Lisa, ‘the most enduring wedding dress silhouettes are the ones that feel elegant without trying too hard.’

Classic shapes are key – think A-line, ballgown, column, or even a simple 90s-inspired slip. 

Opt for clean lines and structured tailoring rather than overly trend-led designs that might dominate the body. High-quality fabrics, such as silk, satin and crepe, will also stand the test of time. 

‘There’s something about simplicity that always wins,’ Lisa adds. ‘A well-cut dress in a classic silhouette doesn’t rely on trends, it relies on proportion, fit and fabric. That’s what keeps it looking just as relevant in photographs decades later.’

For inspiration, look to style icons like Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy and Meghan Markle, who both championed understated, modern bridal looks. 

Lace also remains a strong choice for those wanting something more decorative – and it’s one I personally can’t resist. 

Designs worn by Grace Kelly and Catherine, Princess of Wales, demonstrate how intricate detailing can still feel timeless when kept restrained. 

Wedding dress trends to avoid

Heavy, overly intricate embellishment can date a dress faster than expected, particularly when it leans into maximalist detailing over subtle elegance

While statement bridal looks can feel exciting in the moment, these styles often date first.

Take overly dramatic silhouettes – from exaggerated sleeves and ruffles to extreme cut-outs – which can feel tied to a specific era. 

Princess Diana’s iconic gown, for example, perfectly captured the essence of the eighties, but also reflects just how trend-led the decade was. 

‘That doesn’t mean they’re not beautiful in the short term,’ Lisa notes, ‘but if the goal is a dress that still feels elegant in 20 years’ time, I’d always caution against anything that feels overly directional.’

Heavy, overly intricate embellishment can date a dress faster than expected, particularly when it leans into maximalist detailing over subtle elegance. 

Likewise, fast fashion-inspired bridal designs and social media micro-trends often prioritise instant impact over lasting appeal.

The details that matter 

If you’re drawn to a dress with interest, delicate lace , embroidery and tonal beading will always feel beautiful – both now and in years to come

If you’re drawn to a dress with interest, delicate lace, embroidery and tonal beading will always feel beautiful – both now and in years to come. 

However, this is where to be cautious. ‘Detailing is where a dress can either feel timeless or overly busy,’ Lisa highlights.

She continues: ‘Dresses can start to feel dated when there’s too much happening at once – heavy crystal work, strong contrasting lace patterns, or dense embellishment from top to bottom.

‘The most elegant gowns usually have a sense of balance: detail in one area, and simplicity elsewhere.’

Ultimately, it’s about restraint and balance. 

How much skin is too much?

The ceremony location and reception venue should be the first consideration when choosing a dress. Church ceremonies often call for long sleeves and more demure silhouettes , while destination weddings naturally allow for more flesh to be shown

The ceremony location and reception venue should be the first consideration when choosing a dress. 

Church ceremonies often call for long sleeves and more demure silhouettes, while destination weddings naturally allow for more flesh to be shown. 

‘There’s absolutely a place for modern, confident bridal dressing,’ Lisa confirms. ‘A low back, a side cut-out, or a gently plunging neckline can feel incredibly elegant when balanced correctly.’

That said, showing skin tends to suit minimalist designs, but risks feeling dated when combined with too many cut-outs or sheer panels. 

She continues: ‘The key is intention. If one area of the dress is more revealing, the rest should feel more refined. It’s about contrast rather than exposure for the sake of it. 

‘The most timeless looks tend to reveal just one focal point, rather than multiple competing ones.’

Long sleeves, strapless styles and halternecks all tend to age well and remain flattering choices across trends.

Many brides also opt for a more covered-up look for the ceremony before changing into something more revealing for the evening reception. 

Colour choices that last 

Of course, classic white and ivory remain the most traditional choices, with champagne tones and soft blush increasingly favoured as modern neutrals. 

‘The most timeless dresses still sit within a neutral bridal spectrum,’ Lisa explains. ‘The further you move into strong colour or stark contrast, the more the dress becomes tied to a specific trend moment.’

Bolder colours can lose their appeal, so it’s worth considering undertones carefully, as well as what will photograph best – and taking plenty of photos when trying dresses on. 

‘Ultimately, the most timeless wedding dresses share one thing in common: restraint.

‘They don’t shout. They don’t rely on gimmicks. They’re beautifully cut, well considered, and allow the bride, not just the dress to be the focus.’

Shop the best wedding dresses on the high street

Mia Alario, known for her role in “Southern Hospitality,” recently stirred the pot regarding West Wilson and Amanda Batula’s relationship timeline. Appearing on “Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen” this past Wednesday, Alario suggested that the romance between the two “Summer House” stars may have begun earlier than publicly stated.

According to Alario, when she went on a date with Wilson in September, he was already spending personal time with Batula. This revelation challenges the couple’s narrative, as they have consistently claimed their romantic involvement began in February.

During her appearance on Cohen’s show, Alario recounted a conversation she had with Batula at BravoCon in November. “Amanda mentioned they got together at West’s apartment before my date,” Alario revealed, reflecting on the moment as a seemingly friendly gesture at the time.

Alario, who is 28, further disclosed that Batula, 34, admitted to offering Wilson some advice prior to their date. This interaction hints at a closer connection between Batula and Wilson than initially believed, possibly rewriting the couple’s relationship history.

Alario, 28, also claimed that Batula, 34, told her she gave the sports journalist “some advice and some tips” before their one and only date.

“I was like, girl, did we get the same tip or what?” Alario said. “Damn. I don’t know.”

Alario explained that in hindsight, she realizes Wilson and Batula’s relationship is “a messy situation.”

“I don’t want any part of that at all,” she insisted.

But Alario did admit that she had “a fun time” with Wilson, 31, on their date, though she noted that she didn’t know his real “morale” at the time.

Since Batula and Wilson went public with their romance on March 31, there’s been speculation about when they really starting fooling around behind everyone’s backs.

On Monday’s episode of his podcast, Wilson insisted that “everyone was single” and “there was no overlap” when the pair got together.

“We realized things were maybe a little bit serious in February, and that’s when this all started,” he explained .”There’s not a whole lot more to it than that.”

Wilson previously dated Batula’s BFF Ciara Miller in 2023, while Batula split from husband Kyle Cooke in January after four years of marriage.

When their co-star Jesse Solomon appeared on “WWHL” on Tuesday, he said there were several instances that made him suspicious of Batula and Wilson, including when they went to dinner without him in Miami in late February.

He also claimed there was a day where Batula and Wilson got brunch alone, and then Solomon and Cooke ran into them at a bar afterwards.

Cooke, 43, told Page Six last week that he thinks it would be “diabolical” if Batula and Wilson were secretly hooking up last summer.

The Loverboy founder also said he wants Batula to clear up the relationship timeline at the upcoming “Summer House” reunion.

“I hope I’m correct at the reunion that this was recent,” Cooke shared.