As we celebrate the life of Queen Elizabeth, who passed away on September 8, 2022, at the age of 96, leaving the crown to King Charles III, it's clear what a life of service and, of course, style England's longest-serving monarch had. Before Princess Diana made puffy sleeves happen and Kate Middleton was perfecting the art of tiara-wearing, Princess Margaret and Queen Elizabeth were undeniable fashionistas. And while Netflix's The Crown has given British monarchy nerds a glimpse into just how gorgeous Margaret and Elizabeth's clothing was, nothing beats the real royal deal. Here, a tribute to Princess Margaret and the late Queen in their youth.
1940
Back when she was still a princess, Queen Elizabeth would ride horses at the Royal Lodge in Windsor, which her family used as a country retreat. The grounds feature a tiny cottage which was a gift to Elizabeth from the people of Wales.
1940
Here's Princess Elizabeth chilling at Windsor Castle in the summer. Just your typical teenage girl, destined to be queen. #Same
1942
In which then-Princesses Elizabeth and her sister Princess Margaret (left) twin in summer dresses. FYI, Margaret was one of the royal family's most fashionable members, but was clearly in a more conservative phase when this photo was taken.
1942
Here, Queen Elizabeth (right) and her lil' sis, Princess Margaret, are twinning again as they take a leisurely bike ride around Windsor, England.
1942
Before she was on that Corgi grind, Elizabeth (left) was a fan of lhasa apsos. And jaunty blazers, apparently.
1942
Queen Elizabeth spent time as a Girl Guide when she was a teen (England's equivalent to a Girl Scout). Here she is chilling in uniform during summer '42. She was 16 at the time.
1944
Behold, a corgi! This is Elizabeth's puppy Sue hanging on the grounds of Windsor Castle. Elizabeth lived here with her family during the war due to safety concerns.
1944
Another look at the princesses (Margaret's on the right) during their time at Windsor castle. Hat game, strong.
1944
That same year, the princesses (Elizabeth is on the left) dressed in their royal best for a pantomime show. They were actually known to have acted in these shows occasionally, and at one point dressed up as Cinderella and Prince Florizel.
1946
Just catching up on some stamp collecting, you know how it is. (FYI, Elizabeth was 20 when this photo was taken—she'd become Queen six years later.)
1946
Taken around the same time, this lovely photo shows Elizabeth (left) and Margaret lounging around the gardens of the aptly-named Royal Lodge.
1946
Duh, they had a pool.
1947
This adorable picture was taken in Buckingham Palace, and features Elizabeth celebrating her engagement to Prince Phillip. The moment was captured in The Crown's first episode.
1946
Elizabeth and Margaret were extremely well educated. Here, the future Queen watches her sister play some casual Brahms in Buckingham Palace's school room.
1947
A young Elizabeth sits at her desk in Buckingham Palace, possibly studying up on how to be a Queen.
1947
In an unusually candid image, Elizabeth (right) and Margaret enjoy a steam engine ride in South Africa.
1948
TFW you flash-forward one year and suddenly BOOM, style is being served.
1948
Suddenly Princess Margaret started looking exactly like Natalie Portman.
1949
And she started serving up lace goals.
1951
Not to mention beauty goals.
1951
As you might have guessed based on this outfit, Margaret reached peak icon in the '50s.
1953
In 1953, Margaret's sartorial influence was making *actual* news. To quote an article in The Picture Post, "what she wears is News. It is seen by thousands of women in person, hundreds of thousands on news reels, millions who read the newspapers and magazines."
1953
Meanwhile the London Illustrated said "The Princess…rapidly established herself as a leader of fashion. The 'Margaret look' came to mean simple elegance for the younger set." So in case you're wondering why The Crown's costume budget was so $$$, it's all this gal.
1954
And sure, Elizabeth's style is slightly more modest, but don't get it twisted—HRH still looked amazing.
1954
The new monarch attends a garden party in Sydney, Australia wearing a modest white, lace dress with gloves. Elizabeth had only been the Queen for two years in 1954.
1955
The Queen casually sitting pretty, watching the Royal Windsor Polo Tournament at Smith's Lawn, Windsor Great Park.
1956
A portrait of Princess Margaret, taken at her older sister, Queen Elizabeth's, birthday. It's like a photo booth, but more professional because, royalty. Her Majesty turned 30 years old in 1956.
1960
Here's Princess Margaret at the Opera House in London wearing an elegant gown and white and fur wrap. This is the same year she married Anthony Armstrong-Jones (pictured behind her).
1960
Newlywed Princess Margaret waves to the crowd as she rides off with her new hubby Anthony Armstrong-Jones for their honeymoon.
1963
Her Majesty has that pregnancy glow going on. Here, she's pregnant with her fourth and final child, Prince Edward, who was born March 10, 1964.
1969
HRH presented a Tony Award at the Mark Hellinger Theatre in New York city in 1969.
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