Queen Elizabeth II's most iconic Canadian fashion moments, and other standout looks

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Queen Elizabeth II spent more than 70 years on the British throne. (Photos via Getty Images)

Queen Elizabeth II spent seven decades on the throne after becoming a British monarch at 25.

On the throne for 70 years and 214 days, she holds the longest reign of any monarch in British history and the second longest of any monarch in the world.

Having been in the public eye since a child, it's no doubt that fashion was important to the Queen.

With Her Majesty's reign coming to an end with her death on Sept. 8, Yahoo Canada is taking a look at some of Queen Elizabeth II's most iconic fashion moments, including some of the best looks she wore on her several official visits to Canada.

1946: Official engagement announcement

Princess Elizabeth, the future Queen Elizabeth II, in the state apartments at Buckingham Palace during her engagement to Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh in July 1947. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Princess Elizabeth, the future Queen Elizabeth II, in the state apartments at Buckingham Palace during her engagement to Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh in July 1947. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Despite getting secretly engaged in 1946, the future Queen Elizabeth II — then known as Princess Elizabeth — is pictured here during her official engagement announcement in July 1947. Standing in the state apartments at Buckingham Palace, Her Majesty wore a simple lilac dress that had several matching ribbons along with a double strand pearl necklace.

1947: Royal wedding

The Queen, then Princess Elizabeth, and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, at Buckingham Palace after their wedding at Westminster Abbey in 1947. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
The Queen, then Princess Elizabeth, and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, at Buckingham Palace after their wedding at Westminster Abbey in November 1947. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

The Queen (then Princess Elizabeth) and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, are captured here at Buckingham Palace after their wedding at Westminster Abbey in 1947. She wore a satin bridal dress designed by Norman Hartnell, which featured a heart-shaped neckline, long sleeves and a 4-metre fan-shaped train with intricate floral designs.

1951: Square dancing in Ottawa

Princess Elizabeth, the future Queen Elizabeth II, visited Ottawa's Rideau Hall during her first official visit to Canada in October 1951. (Photo by Frank Royal/NFB/Getty Images)
Princess Elizabeth, the future Queen Elizabeth II, visited Ottawa's Rideau Hall during her first official visit to Canada in October 1951. (Photo by Frank Royal/NFB/Getty Images)

For her first royal visit to Canada in 1951, the Queen was still known as Princess Elizabeth, Duchess of Edinburgh. On Oct. 11 of that year, she took part in an old-fashioned square dance at Rideau Hall in Ottawa, where she wore a country dress featuring a gingham top and plain skirt decorated in branches, figures and hearts.

1957: Opening Parliament in Ottawa

Queen Elizabeth II is pictured here in 1957 before attending the official ceremonies that would begin Canada's 23rd Parliament in Ottawa. (Photo via Getty Images)
Queen Elizabeth II is pictured here in 1957 before attending the official ceremonies that would begin Canada's 23rd Parliament in Ottawa. (Photo via Getty Images)

Queen Elizabeth II returned to Canada for a royal visit in 1957, where she opened the 23rd Canadian Parliament in Ottawa. During that ceremony on Oct. 14, she wore her white silk satin Coronation gown that featured short sleeves, a sweetheart neckline and intricate embroidery. The Queen paired her extravagant dress with a shiny tiara, teardrop-shaped earrings and long white gloves.

1957: Rideau Hall banquet

That same day in 1957, Queen Elizabeth II wore a gown created by British fashion designer Norman Hartnell, called the "Maple Leaf of Canada" dress. Worn for a banquet at Ottawa's Rideau Hall, the simple white gown was decorated with green velvet Canadian maple leaves and white roses.

1976: Formal event with Pierre Trudeau

Queen Elizabeth II attended a formal event on Aug. 1, 1976 with former Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau during her royal visit. (Photo by Anwar Hussein/Getty Images)
Queen Elizabeth II attended a formal event on Aug. 1, 1976 with former Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau during her royal visit. (Photo by Anwar Hussein/Getty Images)

During her visit to Canada in 1976, Queen Elizabeth ll wore a tiara given to her by her grandmother, Queen Mary, for a formal event. Known as "Granny's Tiara," the Queen wore the headpiece with a green and white sleeveless gown that featured a scallop pattern, pairing the look with long white gloves and a shiny silver handbag. She also wore a matching emerald green and sparkling silver jewelry set.

1976: Montreal Olympics Opening Ceremony

Queen Elizabeth II, pictured here at the opening ceremony at the Olympic Stadium, opened the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal on July 17. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Queen Elizabeth II, pictured here at the opening ceremony at the Olympic Stadium, opened the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal on July 17. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

When the 1976 Olympics were held in Montreal, Queen Elizabeth II opened the summer games. In this photo, taken on July 17 at the city's Olympic Stadium, the Queen wore a long pink coat created by English fashion designer Hardy Amies. She paired it with a matching hat that featured a bundle of drooping pink tulips, along with short white gloves and her signature three-string pearl necklace.

1979: Trooping The Colour

Queen Elizabeth II rode her horse, Burmese, during the 1979 Trooping the Colour ceremony in June in London, England. (Photo by Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images)
Queen Elizabeth II rode her horse, Burmese, during the 1979 Trooping the Colour ceremony in June in London, England. (Photo by Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images)

The Trooping of the Colour ceremony was one of Queen Elizabeth II's favourites, and dressing up in the ceremonial outfit was part of the event. The traditional outfit requires soldiers wear a red tunic, dark pants and a bearskin hat. In June 1979, the Queen fit right in during the ceremony in London, England, where she's seen in this photo riding a Saskatchewan-born mare named Burmese, gifted to her by the RCMP in 1969.

2010: Nova Scotia visit

Queen Elizabeth II kicked off her 2010 eight-day tour of Canada in Halifax, where she's pictured here attending a reception for
Queen Elizabeth II kicked off her 2010 eight-day tour of Canada in Halifax, where she's pictured here attending a reception for "A Celebration of Nova Scotia" on June 29. (Photo by Chris Jackson - Pool/Getty Images)

Queen Elizabeth II's final official tour of Canada took place in 2010, where she started her eight-day visit in Halifax. During a reception for "A Celebration of Nova Scotia," she wore a pastel yellow outfit consisting of a long ruffled skirt and a patterned buttoned jacket that featured beading by Mi'kmaq women. The Queen paired her outfit with white gloves, a black handbag, black short heels with ribbons and a brooch made of six red maple leaves.

2010: Canada Day in Ottawa

Queen Elizabeth II attended Canada Day celebrations on Parliament Hill in Ottawa during her 2010 tour of Canada. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)
Queen Elizabeth II attended Canada Day celebrations on Parliament Hill in Ottawa during her 2010 tour of Canada. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

On her eight-day tour of Canada in 2010, Queen Elizabeth II wore a fitting red and white outfit during Canada Day celebrations on Ottawa's Parliament Hill. On the July 1 holiday, the Queen wore a long red buttoned jacket and a white hat featuring a large red flower on its brim. Her Majesty also added a pair of white gloves, a black handbag and a silver maple leaf brooch.

2010: Dinner with Canadian government officials in Toronto

Queen Elizabeth II with former Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper walking into the ballroom at the Royal York Hotel in Toronto, where the Canadian government hosted a dinner in her honour. (Photo by John Stillwell/PA Images via Getty Images)
Queen Elizabeth II with former Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper walking into the ballroom at the Royal York Hotel in Toronto, where the Canadian government hosted a dinner in her honour. (Photo by John Stillwell/PA Images via Getty Images)

During an official dinner hosted by the Canadian government in her honour, Queen Elizabeth II wore a white recycled gown featuring intricate embroidery and Swarovski crystal maple leaves encrusted on the right shoulder and sleeve. On top of the elegant gown, the Queen wore her shining "Granny's Tiara," white gloves and a metallic silver handbag.

2010: Toronto City Hall

Queen Elizabeth II wrapped up her eight-day tour of Canada in 2010 in Toronto, where she's pictured here waving to people after leaving City Hall. (Photo by John Stillwell/PA Images via Getty Images)
Queen Elizabeth II wrapped up her eight-day tour of Canada in 2010 in Toronto, where she's pictured here waving to people after leaving City Hall. (Photo by John Stillwell/PA Images via Getty Images)

Before heading to the United States, Queen Elizabeth II wrapped her 2010 visit to Canada in Toronto. Here, she's leaving City Hall wearing a pink and green floral dress paired with a matching pink hat that had a floral piece on its centre. She paired the look with a white handbag, white shoes and white gloves.

2012: Diamond Jubilee portrait unveiling

Canadian artist Phil Richards (left) and former Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper (2nd left) stood with Queen Elizabeth II as she unveiled a portrait of herself in the white drawing room at Buckingham Palace as former Governor General David Johnston (right) watches on June 6, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Sean Kilpatrick - WPA Pool /Getty Images)

During her Diamond Jubilee in 2012, Queen Elizabeth II unveiled a new portrait — Canada's third official commissioned portrait of Her Majesty — at Buckingham Palace. For the event, Queen Elizabeth II wore a blue and white long-sleeve floral dress, along with black shoes, a black handbag and her three-string pearl necklace. In the portrait, painted by Canadian artist Phil Richards, the Queen wore a long white gown, a shining silver tiara and two Canadian insignia.

2020: Government of Canada official portrait

The Government of Canada released a new official portrait of Queen Elizabeth II on Oct. 16, 2020. In the shot, which was taken at Windsor Castle in March 2019, the Queen wore a simple white gown with floral detailing, along with a matching blue and silver tiara and necklace. To match, the Queen wore two Canadian insignia, the Order of Canada and the Order of Military Merit, as ribbons.

2022: Meeting with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau

At her first in-person audience two weeks after Buckingham Palace reported she had a positive COVID-19 diagnosis, Queen Elizabeth II received Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at Windsor Castle on March 7. (Photo by Steve Parsons - WPA Pool/Getty Images)
At her first in-person audience two weeks after Buckingham Palace reported she had a positive COVID-19 diagnosis, Queen Elizabeth II received Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at Windsor Castle on March 7. (Photo by Steve Parsons - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

Two weeks after Buckingham Palace reported Queen Elizabeth II had COVID-19, Her Majesty made her first in-person appearance at Windsor Castle on March 7, 2022 to receive Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Standing in front of a bouquet of yellow and blue flowers, the Queen also wore a blue, green, yellow and white dress, which some people believe was a subtle "message for Ukraine."

2022: Final appearance at Balmoral

Pictured here, Queen Elizabeth II is inside Balmoral Castle's drawing room on Sept. 6, where she waits to meet with Liz Truss who was recently elected to form the United Kingdom's new government. (Photo by Jane Barlow - WPA Pool/Getty Images)
Pictured here, Queen Elizabeth II is inside Balmoral Castle's drawing room on Sept. 6, where she waits to meet with Liz Truss who was recently elected to form the United Kingdom's new government. (Photo by Jane Barlow - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

In her final engagement ensemble on Sept. 6, Queen Elizabeth II wore a tartan skirt — paying homage to Scotland — while waiting in the drawing room of Balmoral Castle for the United Kingdom's newly elected leader, Liz Truss. The Queen paired the long pleated skirt with a coordinating blouse and knitted cardigan, along with her signature three-string pearl necklace.

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