Thus, upon her arrival in London, Queen Elizabeth II did not immediately leave the plane. A black outfit was brought to her so she could change before appearing in public. Wearing a black coat with a black hat, she stepped onto the tarmac at Heathrow Airport, where Prime Minister Winston Churchill was waiting for her.
This episode, as memorable as it was embarrassing, led to a lasting change in royal protocol. Since then, all members of the royal family have routinely packed a black outfit for their official trips.
Furthermore, in 1992, this dress code was observed when Princess Diana’s father, Lord Spencer, passed away while she was in the Alps skiing with her then husband, Prince Charles. For the return trip, the royal couple was therefore, in keeping with tradition, dressed entirely in black.
Originally published by Vanity Fair France
