The Queen's classic lipstick collection: Her favourite shades


Her Majesty's favourite beauty brands include Elizabeth Arden and Clarins


the queen lipstick
Fiona Ward
Fiona WardContributing Writer
Updated: September 15, 2022
Queen Elizabeth II, wearing a hat and holding a toothbrush, sits between two men in a stadium.© Photo: Getty Images

The Queen has always loved a classic lipstick.

According to royal insiders, among her favourites are Elizabeth Arden's Beautiful Colour lipsticks, which she has been spotted applying during functions.

MORE: The Queen's favourite nail polish now comes in a matte version

The brand is, of course, incredibly secretive about their relationship with Her Majesty, but have held a Royal Warrant for many years - and have previously told The Telegraph: "We work closely with Angela Kelly [the Queen's senior dresser] and her team to ensure we provide excellent service for whatever Her Majesty requires, or would like to try." 

The Queen even commissioned Clarins to make her very own personalised shade to match her ceremonial robes for her coronation. Since then, she's worn plenty of colours, from pretty pinks to reds - click through to see our favourites… 

IMAGE: Her Majesty's visit to Fiji, 1977

Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, using binoculars next to Queen Elizabeth II, who is wearing a blue hat and white gloves.© Photo: Getty Images

Sally Bedell Smith, author of Elizabeth the Queen: The Woman Behind The Throne, has previously claimed that some of the Queen's most important handbag items are her lipstick and compact mirror. "At the end of a luncheon or a dinner, even a banquet set with silver gilt and antique porcelain, she has the somewhat outré habit of opening her bag, pulling out a compact and reapplying her lipstick," she writes.

Her Majesty has often been snapped reapplying during her appearances - including at the Highland Games in 2011, topping up with a pink shade.

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, seated at an event, she with a white hat and lipstick, he in a suit.© Photo: Getty Images

At the Commonwealth Games in 2014, she was also spotted reapplying from the very same bullet. At our best guess it's an Elizabeth Arden number with that silver packaging - perhaps the shade Pink Punch?

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Queen Elizabeth II wearing a silver gown, white fur, red earrings, and a jeweled crown.© Photo: Alamy

We love this shot of Her Majesty matching her lippie to her stunning ruby jewels during a visit to Slovenia in 2008. Generally, she it's a pink shade, but we think this classic red looks beautiful, too.

Queen Elizabeth II smiling, wearing glasses and a green jacket, with a red lipstick inset.© Photo: Getty Images

At the Royal Windsor Horse Show in 2011, the Queen added a touch of glamour to her outdoor gear with this rose-pink shade. 

We think she could be wearing Elizabeth Arden's classic Rose Petal shade, £22.

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Queen Elizabeth II in a green floral hat and matching dress, standing outdoors.

We couldn't resist this archived snap of Her Majesty's visit to New Zealand in 1977 - back then, she seemed to favour more of a mauve-toned pink. It compliments her floral green outfit perfectly.

Queen Elizabeth II wearing a pink hat with a feather design, a black fur scarf, and a light blue tweed suit.© Photo: Getty Images

It was a bold coral pink for an appearance at the Sunday Service at the church of St Peter and St Paul in West Newton back in 2014 - she matched the look with a bright blush on her cheeks, too. 

Queen Elizabeth II wearing a white dress, red sash, and large crown with jewels.© Photo: Getty Images

Her Majesty went for a different look to usual at a state banquet at Berlin's Bellevue Palace in 2015 - this more subtle shade looked to be topped with a sheen, keeping the rest of the makeup natural. 

Queen Elizabeth II, wearing a blue suit and hat, applies lipstick while seated next to a man.© Photo: Getty Images

The Queen couldn't resist sneakily topping up her beauty during the Windsor Horse Show in 1985 - another spot for her favourite bright pink shade. Looking at the packaging, it could have been Elizabeth Arden's Exceptional Lipstick, now discontinued, which had a darker casing to the brand's offering now.

Queen Elizabeth II smiling, wearing a floral hat and pearl necklace.© Photo: Getty Images

This pretty coral colour was the perfect way to brighten up a neutral outfit when the Queen greeted the President of the United Arab Emirates in Windsor in April, 2013. 

Queen Elizabeth II smiling, wearing a black dress, pearl necklace, and red poppy brooch.© Photo: Getty Images

The Queen opted for a pretty nude pink for the Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall in 2015. 

Queen Elizabeth II smiling, wearing a yellow hat and matching suit.© Photo: Alamy

We love how this electric pink contrasted against her sunny yellow suit and hat. 

Queen Elizabeth II wearing a red hat with a red flower, red dress, and pearl necklace, smiling.© Photo: Getty Images

Rather than going too strong with her lip colour, she chose a slightly sheerer formula to keep the look fresh. 

Queen Elizabeth II with white hair and red lipstick sits in a car with a dog.© Photo: Getty Images

Pictured leaving Buckingham Palace for Windsor Castle in March 2020, the Queen was dressed down in a cardigan and gilet as she began her journey, with a pinkish red lipstick shade.

Queen Elizabeth II in a blue coat and hat, holding a black handbag, walking with others.© Photo: Getty Images

This glossy pink shade was the perfect contrast to the monarch's cornflower blue outfit at 2020's Commonwealth Day service.

Queen Elizabeth II in a green dress, standing behind a desk with a bouquet of flowers.

Her Majesty chose a rich tangerine shade as she spoke to the nation in a landmark address amid the coronavirus crisis in April 2020. It went beautifully with her elegant green dress and turquoise brooch, thought to represent healing. 

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