The incredible inspiration behind Queen Elizabeth's dazzling Diamond Jubilee concert outfit revealed by her former dresser

Daily Mail​

04-06-2025

With half a million people packed into The Mall and millions more watching from home, Buckingham Palace became the dazzling backdrop to a historic concert celebrating Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee.
As pop legends took the stage to mark her remarkable 60-year reign, the palace was illuminated with stunning projections.
The concert, which honoured each decade of the Queen's reign through music, featured a star-studded lineup, including Sir Cliff Richard, Elton John, Shirley Bassey and Kylie Minogue.
Arriving partway through the event to cheers from the crowd, Elizabeth made a striking appearance in a gold lamé cocktail dress, designed by her long-time senior dresser, Angela Kelly.
The look was inspired by the gilded figure of Victory that sits atop the Queen Victoria Memorial just outside Buckingham Palace.
As Kelly explains in her book Dressing the Queen: 'The fact that the Queen was appearing on stage at a concert suggested a theatrical mood.
'For those of us working in Buckingham Palace the Queen Victoria Memorial is a familiar friend and it was the golden figure on top of the monument that gave me the idea for the colour of the Queen's dress.'
The iconic monument was reimagined as a circular stage, setting the scene for a night of music that spanned Elizabeth's six-decade reign.
Her dress - a period piece in itself - was crafted from fabric originally purchased overseas in 1961.
It was richly trimmed with antique gold lace and embellished with Swarovski crystals to catch the light under the stage spotlights.
In place of traditional jewellery, which was deemed too formal for the concert setting, an elaborate embroidered appliqué provided decorative flourish.
Originally designed to drape down the left side of the gown, it was later moved to the right - at Elizabeth's request.
Kelly recounts: 'At an earlier stage we had put it on the opposite shoulder; it was the Queen's decision to change it around, and absolutely right that we did.'
The evening culminated in a dramatic moment when Her Late Majesty lit the final beacon on The Mall by plunging the Diamond Jubilee crystal into a ceremonial tube - triggering a breathtaking fireworks display that lit up the London skyline
While Prince Philip was hospitalised with a bladder infection, other members of the Royal Family - including Prince William, Catherine and Prince Harry - joined in the lively performances, singing along and waving Union flags in rhythm with the music.
Queen Elizabeth appeared visibly moved as Prince Charles delivered a heartfelt and humorous speech honouring his mother, joking that if the crowd cheered loudly enough, the Duke of Edinburgh might be able to hear it from his hospital bed.
The evening culminated in a dramatic moment when Her Late Majesty lit the final beacon on The Mall by plunging the Diamond Jubilee crystal into a ceremonial tube - triggering a breathtaking fireworks display that lit up the London skyline.
The next day, the Royal Family attended a thanksgiving service at St Paul's Cathedral, where the Queen addressed her family and the nation through a speech she had recorded in advance from her private chambers.