The Royal Family has an array of lavish clothes that they wear during international engagements; however, one sombre outfit they pack 'just in case' holds a poignant meaning.
Any time you see a member of the royal family in the UK, they’re wearing bright and beautiful clothes. Whether it’s Kate Middleton’s famous blue or Anne’s regal navy and grey, they tend to stand out from a crowd.
The late Queen was also known for her pale-yellow dresses, and at some point, green, red, purple, and pink colours were also incorporated.
But there’s one colour you’ll rarely see them donning outside of Remembrance Day or a funeral - black.
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The royals have strict protocols in place regarding the colour black, which was only enforced in 1952 by Queen Elizabeth II during a visit to Kenya. If you’ve seen series one of The Crown, then you’ll know what I’m talking about.
When a then-Princess Elizabeth was on a royal engagement in Kenya with Prince Philip, she received the sad news of her father, King George VI's, passing.
During the journey back to the UK, it was revealed that she did not have any suitable mourning clothes with her and therefore had to stay on the plane until a suitable outfit could be provided.
From then on, she made it a point to insist all royals travel with black clothing to hand, in case something similar was to happen again.
“No matter where they go,” royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams told The Reader's Digest. “They always have to be prepared.”
For the royals, clothing has always been an important aspect of life in Buckingham Palace, but not everyone has enjoyed that feature.
Meghan Markle once recalled one item of clothing she was made to 'wear all the time' even though it didn’t feel 'very herself'.
Admitting it took place 'several years ago', she said: "It was different several years ago when I couldn't be as vocal and I had to wear nude pantyhose (tights) all the time. Let's be honest, that was not very myself.
"I hadn't seen pantyhose since movies in the 80s when they came in the little egg. That felt a little bit inauthentic. And that's a silly example."
The Duchess of Sussex added: "But it is an example of when you're able to dress the way you want to dress and you are able to say the things you want to say that are true and be able to show up in a space that is really organically and authentically, that's being comfortable in your own skin.
"Of course, I have had different chapters in my life. But right now I don't feel I need to prove anything."
Topics: Royal Family, The Queen, UK News
Britt Jones