Faran Krentcil
Over 2000 people, including President Joe Biden and Dr. Jill Biden, attended Queen Elizabeth II’s official state funeral in London this morning. But tens of thousands more paid tribute to the 96-year-old British monarch in Hyde Park, where the funeral was broadcast on jumbotrons across the expansive Parade Ground. Here’s what 12 London mourners wore to say goodbye to the Queen.
Advertisement – Continue Reading Below
“As Australians, this is a really new experience for us. I didn’t grow up with a monarch, but I appreciate how much she meant to people, and I felt like it was important show respect not just to the Queen, but to the people who are grieving her. But walking to the service with a stroller—you know, you’ve got to be practical! So I have boots instead of heels.”
Dress and coat: Kookai. Boots: Tony Bianco. Gloves: Country Road Australia. Glasses: Versace. Baby: Model’s own.
“I waited in The Queue for 9 hours. I’m so glad I did it. It was so moving and so worth it. It was really amazing to feel so close to the Queen and to the heart of the whole country. To me, it’s really sad that she’s died. But I didn’t have all-black, so nearly everything I’m wearing is menswear that I took from my boyfriend.”
Leather jacket: Sandro. Top and Track Pants: X-Lite Mens. Sneakers: On Running.
“I am from Sudan, and I cannot tell you how much I love the Queen and what she has done for me and my family. I’m really very sad about her passing, because she accepted us in her country. We really loved and respected her, and we wish her peace and rest.”
Coat: Guess. Sunglasses: Giorgio Armani. Purse: Michael Kors.
“The sign is in Arabic, and it has special condolences from my family. It says, ‘Saying goodbye to the Queen of Humanity, Queen Elizabeth II, we are so sad to lose you.’ And it lists the people in my family who were able to come to England because of the Queen, including my cousin, who is a professor, and my father, who is a doctor who went to Oxford. My sister got her PhD yesterday, and she also wishes to thank the Queen. In Sudan, it’s harder to get an education, and the Queen let my family come and do that here. She is very, very special to us.”
“Grief is the price we pay for love,” said the Queen after the September 11 attacks. Designer Erdem Moralioglu borrowed that quote for his Spring 2023 show notes, and sent Nottingham native Hannah Motler down the runway in a black dress and veil to mark the occasion. “It’s a hugely sad time in London—her Majesty the Queen was an inspiration and I admire her sense of duty and service enormously.”
Dress and veil: Erdem
“I am a very good dog.”
Handkerchief: Jubilee Hearts by Coast & Country. Flag: The British Commonwealth.
“My entire closet is black, but today, I actually said, ‘I cannot wear all black!’… Why? Well. A lot of people were clapping [in Hyde Park] when they carried her body away. There was applause at the funeral. So perhaps it was a celebration of her life.”
Coat: Terminal D. Bag: DKNY. Jeans: Shein. Sneakers: Converse.
“We came from the Democratic Republic of Congo—the DRC—with the president of our National Assembly [Christophe Mboso N’Kodia Pwanga]. We’re here to pay our respects and also to show our support for the people… And we are surrounded by so many people came who to this park to witness the funeral. It is clear there is a lot of love.”
Coat: Ted Baker. Handbag: Saint Laurent. Shoes and Earrings: Tory Burch.
“I’m from Long Island, but I came to visit my friend Ali, who lives here. We actually met online, through a guy we used to date. Obviously, the friendship was the best thing to happen out of that! She suggested we attend the public ceremony, and so we got dolled up for it. I love to dress up; and this was so historic that I wanted to really remember it… I guess ‘funeral chic’ is what we were going for.”
Coat: Cole Haan. Dress: American Apparel. Boots: Doc Martens.
Maria: It’s the end of an era, and we want to show her the respect she deserves, really. She’s done quite a lot for our country and it’s quite sad, isn’t it? Imagine being a royal and you can’t do anything you want, you’re saddled with all this duty. She became Queen very young, through a lot of unexpected events, and she rose to the occasion with such dignity. She deserves so much of our respect.
Albert: She done what she said she’d do; she served her country. There’s always doing to be people who disagree with politics, but she’s given her whole life for us, hasn’t she? We all grew up with her. Other people have come and gone, but we’ve always had her. It’s hugely important to be here.
Suit: Vintage. Dress and coat: Amazon. Thor Amulet Necklace: The British Museum.
“I’m actually American—from Seattle. We’re always here for the Goodwood Festival, which is a car show. But I couldn’t not come to the public ceremony, because it’s so historic and it’s important to me that we pay respect… I had to wear Hermès. It was one of Her Majesty’s favorites.”
Coat: Gabriella Rose. Scarf: Louis Vuitton. Handbag: Goyard. Sneakers: Hermès.
“It’s such an occasion. I had to dress the part, and I really admire the way the Queen adopted matching, very bright suits. The neon green she wore at her Jubilee was amazing. I really do rate her style. I wanted to wear a bit of blue, because I know it’s a color she really enjoyed wearing, and also be part of this ‘sea of black’ in Hyde Park. It’s very respectful and really cool to see. Though this whole thing, it’s more surreal than sad.”
Coat: Urban Outfitters. Turtleneck: ASOS. Skirt: Vintage. Boots: Doc Martens.
Editor at Large, ELLE.com “Her beauty and her brain go not together.” —William Shakespeare
Advertisement – Continue Reading Below
