Bethan Holt: Last News

Queen Elizabeth II will forever be remembered for her vibrant wardrobe. The late British monarch lit up every royal engagement she attended with her colorful hats and pastel coats.

” as the Princess of Wales—and may be the perfect opportunity to make a statement. According to Bethan Holt, fashion director at the Daily Telegraph, it's likely that the recently-minted Princess of Wales will use the historic moment as a way to set herself "apart from the crowd.""It's quite nice for her in a way that she can really make this her own, as every time she's on a tour, either the Queen or Diana has been there before—and there's an expectation," Holt told According to the publication, will be the first to attend a coronation since 1902. “I think Kate will wear something thoughtful that will in some way show her loyalty to King Charles,” Holt said.

Princess Margaret and with the hairstyle that underpinned her life in hair.Neat, bobbed and set in curls, despite her revolving technicolour wardrobe, Queen Elizabeth II’s hair was the one constant in her style armoury, quite literally the crowning glory to her enduring image. It was a look that is instantly identified from every viewpoint, from the back of an adoring crowd to a tiny postage stamp. The shape of her hair was honed not long after her Coronation in 1952. Princess Diana’s hairstylist, Sam McKnight refers to the look as the ‘Italian Boy’ haircut as seen on the likes of Sophia Loren.

clothes were the best way of expressing her personality and emotions.Nobody – least of all the Royal Family – could have predicted the power Diana would one day wield when she arrived on the scene as a shy 19-year-old nursery school assistant, with a wardrobe of floral “accidentally see-through” skirts, sheep-patterned jumpers and yellow dungarees.At that point, the world was desperate to turn her into a fairytale princess and Diana was so young that she made this transformation easy. “Her [Elizabeth and David Emanuel] wedding gown was the ultimate example of Diana living out the dreams of millions of girls,” says the Telegraph’s fashion director, Bethan Holt. “All that tulle, and the absurdly long train were everything that comes to mind when we conjure a vision of the perfect princess.”In 1980, Diana (with engagement to Charles imminent) began working with the now late Anna Harvey, a British stylist who would later become an editorial director at Conde Nast.

A royal fashion statement. Duchess Kate stepped out in style for Trooping the Colour, the traditional parade to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s official birthday — and honored Princess Diana in the process.

the Queen was showing the world how it was done. A sovereign who has often found herself the only woman in rooms full of men and whose reign has seen trends for flares, boob tubes and miniskirts come and go several times over, one of Elizabeth II’s great accomplishments is, surely, her iconic style.Her opinions are rarely heard, but her image can be recognised from a mile off, becoming synonymous with everything from colour-blocking to silk headscarves and frame handbags.

the Queen was showing the world how it was done. A sovereign who has often found herself the only woman in rooms full of men and whose reign has seen trends for flares, boob tubes and miniskirts come and go several times over, one of Elizabeth II’s great accomplishments is, surely, her iconic style.Her opinions are rarely heard, but her image can be recognised from a mile off, becoming synonymous with everything from colour-blocking to silk headscarves and frame handbags.

Queen in training! Duchess Kate’s style has been heavily influenced by Queen Elizabeth II, according to royal expert Bethan Holt.

the Queen was showing the world how it was done. A sovereign who has often found herself the only woman in rooms full of men and whose reign has seen trends for flares, boob tubes and miniskirts come and go several times over, one of Elizabeth II’s great accomplishments is, surely, her iconic style.Her opinions are rarely heard, but her image can be recognised from a mile off, becoming synonymous with everything from colour-blocking to silk headscarves and frame handbags.

says Bethan Holt, the Telegraph’s Fashion Director and a royal style expert. “She seems to approach her wardrobe with the same attitude that she does her public role; unshowy but determined to do everything just right.”A post shared by Shibumi (@shibumistyle)While it’s unlikely that Anne has been on a shopping spree for this tour, there are some subtle updates which indicate that she is au fait with current trends.

The Queen: 70 Years of Majestic Style, by Bethan Holt, is out on 19 April (Ryland Peters & Small, £18.99). Order your copy from the Telegraph Bookshop.Just as Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis set childrenswear trends now, from the day she was born – 21 April 1926 – parents around the world looked to little Elizabeth for inspiration.‘Many poor gentlewomen have profited by the Duchess’s order for fine lawn and muslin frocks, little bonnets and jackets, and all the delightful accessories of baby’s toilet,’ read one report, while her mother, then the Duchess of York, joined the debate about whether infants should be dressed in cotton or wool, coming down firmly on the side for ‘frilly babies’ in cotton over ‘little gnomes’ in wool.When Princess Margaret arrived in 1930, the Yorks became renowned for dressing their daughters in matchy-matchy outfits, said to be a deliberate strategy to maintain as much normality and equality between the girls as possible.In 1932, social commentator ‘Sylvia Mayfair’ declared that the Duchess of York was setting ‘a Royal fashion lead that will undoubtedly be followed by many mothers’.

Krissy Turner, Shopping EditorBarbour eggplant dress, £89.95, John Lewis'As much as I'm gutted to be back in jumpers and jeans, a jumper dress is a bit of a compromise. The fabric is cosy, yet remains flattering - which creates a lovely balance between smartness and ease. I’ll be wearing it with retro trainers or knee-high boots and layer over a cardie, now the temperatures have dropped.'Bethan Holt, Fashion News & Features Director Jumper dress, £34.90, Uniqlo'A ribbed dress is the ideal transition away from my summer wardrobe into something more sophisticated.

Zara’s spotted dress of 2019, which was swiftly followed by Ghost’s Luella style, popularised by Carrie Johnson (née Symonds) who wore it to watch her then-boyfriend Boris enter 10 Downing Street when he became Prime Minister.  Prior to that, there was Kitri’s green floral frock of 2018.

Krissy Turner, Shopping EditorSeersucker dress, £225, Nanushka'I am so excited to wear anything that’s not a jumper and jeans/leggings, and this dress is like a breath of spring air. The sleek fabric and flattering cut create a lovely balance between smartness and ease.

Stella Live 2021, Trinny Woodall taught eyelid exercises, Yasmin Le Bon opened up about her incredible career and George Northwood dished on post-lockdown hair. All of which made for pretty starry opening acts for the main event, a summer-styling masterclass with the Stella fashion team. Ok, so that may be a slight exaggeration – but the conversation that Head of Fashion Lisa Armstrong, Fashion News and Features Director Bethan Holt and Shopping Editor Krissy Turner filmed in John Lewis’s styling suite included nuggets of wisdom that anyone with questions about summer styling would do well to take on board.Their chat, like the conversations that we have every day on the fashion desk, covered ample ground.

Kate Middleton is expected to use her jewellery choices at Prince Philip's funeral to offer up a show of support to Her Majesty the Queen.The Duke of Edinburgh's funeral is due to go ahead at 3pm on Saturday, April 17, from St George's Chapel in Windsor.

Krissy Turner, Shopping EditorSeersucker dress, £375, Nanushka'I am so excited to wear anything that’s not a jumper and jeans/leggings, and this dress is like a breath of spring air. The sleek fabric and flattering cut create a lovely balance between smartness and ease.

Sophie Warburton, Style DirectorOrganza jacquard jacket, £390, Stine Goya'What could feel more optimistic right now than a lightweight button-through cotton skirt in an upbeat plaid print? I’ll be channelling Gwyneth Paltrow in The Talented Mr Ripley by wearing mine with Converse, a basket bag and plain shirt or tee for the park picnics ahead.' Bethan Holt, Fashion News & Features DirectorCotton skirt, £132, J. Crew'Nothing says springtime like a  floral dress.

Krissy Turner, Shopping EditorVegan leather dress, £225, Nanushka'I am so excited to wear anything that’s not a jumper and jeans/leggings, and this dress is like a breath of spring air. The sleek fabric and flattering cut create a lovely balance between smartness and ease.

Krissy Turner, Shopping EditorLongline teddy coat, £58, Next'The teddy coat of my dreams? One of Max Mara’s giant cuddly designs that manage to look Grace Kelly-level elegant. The one for my life right now? This sporty fleece: ideal layered for brisk walks or snuggling up indoors.' Bethan Holt, Fashion News & Features Director Funnel neck fleece, £39.50, Marks & Spencer'As much as I love my short puffer, the maxi styles feel like wearing a sleeping bag.

Bethan Holt, Fashion News & Features EditorCotton trackpants, £94, Pangaia'When is a hoodie not really a hoodie? When it’s made of white cashmere… The very apex of ‘athleisure’, this is  a contender for the least practical item in my wardrobe. But we’ve still got a long way to go until spring, so whatever makes these long housebound months a little more joyous is worth it.'Sarah Royce-Greensill, Jewellery & Watches EditorKnitted cashmere hoodie, £150, Cos'Sweaty Betty sells the sort of leggings that make your bottom look like it has been subjected to months of Pilates, even if (in my case, at least) it definitely hasn’t.