What 60 Celebrities Wore to Meet the Queen

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Fashion thought exercise: What would you wear to meet the Queen of England, on what would undoubtedly be the fanciest day of your life? Here, 60 famous people's answers to that particular question, from Old Hollywood icons like Kirk Douglas and Elizabeth Taylor to modern-day fashion mavens including Lady Gaga and Kiera Knightly.

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, which coordinated very nicely with Lizzie's black-and-white evening gown.

1955: Ava Gardner

Queen Elizabeth chatted with screen star Ava Gardner at the premiere of To Catch a Thief, and the actress looked impossibly chic in a black evening gown and matching gloves. But what we really want to know is where did QE2 get that gorgeous embroidered gown?

1955: Gina Lollobrigida

Dressed in a satin gown with a sweetheart neckline and a diamond choker, Gina Lollobrigida looked positively royal when she met Queen Elizabeth in 1955. The monarch's outfit still wins though, as it included a sparkling tiara.

1956: Marilyn Monroe

For her royal moment, Marilyn Monroe opted for a strapless gown with elbow-high silk gloves. Sexy, of course, but tasteful too.

1956: Brigitte Bardot

Brigitte Bardot nailed her curtsy—and her outfit—when she met Queen Elizabeth. She wore a satin ball gown with intricate gold embroidery on the bodice and white elbow length gloves.

1957: Sophia Loren

Italian actress Sophia Loren met Queen Elizabeth at a London premiere in 1957 and wore a lace jacket with white fur trimmed sleeves over her strapless gown for the event.

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!

1964: Ursula Andress

Ursula Andress looked glamorous in a white sequin embroidered gown with fur trimmed sleeves while meeting Queen Elizabeth at a film premiere in London.

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 the Fab Four 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. Super subtle, no?

1966: Julie Christie

Actress Julie Christie wore white elbow length gloves that matched the monarch's when they met in 1966. Christie paired hers with a sleeveless floral dress 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, as one does.

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 beaded detailing. The matching earrings. It's all so good.

1975: Barbra Streisand

Barbra Streisand showed up in your casual lavender hooded gown sitch 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, and we're here for it.

1979: Cybil 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

One queen meets another! No, but seriously, how does Meryl Streep always manage to get it right? At the premiere of Kramer vs. Kramer, the A-list 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, we can see why. It's bold, sure. But dare we say that it also somehow works?

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.

1983: Frank Sinatra

What does Ol' Blue Eyes wear when he meets the Queen? Typical of the crooner, Frank Sinatra wore his best tailored suit for the event at the 20th Century Fox studios in 1983.

1997: Spice Girls

The Spice Girls showed up to their Royal Command Performance dressed to the nines. But to be honest, the Queen still stole the show in that bright yellow number. Not that it's a competition. Girl power!

1998: Natasha Richardson

Actress Natasha Richardson looked effortlessly chic in a flowy peasant gown at the London premiere of The Parent Trap. If you look closely, you can see her costar Dennis Quaid greeting Prince Philip in the background.

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 putting on quite a show at the Royal Variety Performance.

2002: Madonna

This is what it looks like when the Queen of Pop meets the Queen of England. This was for 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 when planning her meet-the-Queen outfit: 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. How 2004 of her.

2004: Twiggy

Who wants to bet they're swapping stories of Andy Warhol and Studio 54. Just us? 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

Though she played a different Queen Elizabeth in Shakespeare in Love, Dame Judi Dench kind of copied the Queen's hairstyle when she met the current monarch. Life imitating art?

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.

2007: Shilpa Shetty

Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty wore an ornate purple velvet coat during the Commonwealth Day Observance at Westminster Abbey, where she met Queen Elizabeth.

2008: Carla Bruni

Carla Bruni married French President Nicolas Sarkozy in 2008. Later that year, she went to Windsor Castle for an official state visit. For the political occasion, the former fashion model opted for a conservative, but far from boring, belted gray dress coat and pill box hat. All hail this fashion icon.

2009: Miley Cyrus

We're 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 meat dress would appear the following year), the singer met Queen Elizabeth after the Royal Variety Performance wearing a cherry-red latex gown accompanied by matching red bedazzled eye makeup.

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. Coincidence? We think not.

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 and hat and white gloves.

2011: Elle Macpherson

Elle Macpherson looked modest next to Queen Elizabeth's bright purple ensemble during an event at Buckingham Palace in 2011. The Australian supermodel wore a monochrome outfit, pairing a beige dress with a nude handbag.

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 did you expect? Elton John to wear something understated? Never. 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: Gillian Anderson

Gillian Anderson wore a structured navy sheath dress to a reception at Buckingham Palace to meet Queen Elizabeth. Who knew the actress would play England's former prime minister Margaret Thatcher nearly a decade later on The Crown?

2012: Kate Winslet

Kate Winslet oozed British class 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 a 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 for this occasion is proof. She almost upstaged the Queen.

2014: Helena Bonham Carter

Known for her eccentric fashion choices, Helena Bonham Carter showed no signs of conforming to royal style in 2014. The actress wore a lace trimmed black dress to meet Queen Elizabeth during a reception for the Dramatic Arts at Buckingham Palace.

2014: Angelina Jolie

Angelina Jolie wore a pale collared suit when she received an honorary damehood for her work on U.K. foreign policy and a campaign to stop war-zone sexual violence. Can we also get Angie an award for this outfit?

2015: David Beckham

Mr. Beckham first met the Queen in 2003 when he received an OBE. More than a decade later, in 2015, the soccer star joined her Majesty at Buckingham Palace for a reception of the Queen's Young Leaders program and opted for a black-and-white polka dot tie.

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: Anna Wintour

Name a more iconic duo. We'll wait. The outfit Anna Wintour wore to sit next to HRH at London Fashion Week shows Wintour's own status as Queen of Fashion: caramel leather boots, dark sunglasses, it's all perfection.

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.

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Chelsea Peng is a writer and editor who was formerly the assistant editor at Marie Claire. She's also worked for The Strategist and Refinery29, and is a graduate of Northwestern University. On her tombstone, she would like a GIF of herself that's better than the one that already exists on the Internet and a free fro-yo machine. Besides frozen dairy products, she's into pirates, carbs, Balzac, and snacking so hard she has to go lie down.