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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
Acting Fashion and Beauty Editor
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fiji function 1977© 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

braemar gathering and highland games 2011© 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.

commonwealth games 2014© 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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slovenia 2008 PA© 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.

royal windsor horse show 2011© 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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new zealand 1977

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.

sunday service kings lynn 2014© 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. 

bellevue palace berlin state banquet 2015© 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. 

windsor horse show 1985© 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.

greeting president of UEA 2013© 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. 

royal albert hall festival of remembrance 2015© Photo: Getty Images

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

opening cadence design systems livingston scotland 2000 PA© Photo: Alamy

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

RAF valley tour holyhead 2011© Photo: Getty Images

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

1 queen lipstick 2020© 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.

2 the queen pink lipstick© Photo: Getty Images

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

3 queen broadcast

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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