Dubai, United Arab Emirates (CNN)–The late Queen Elizabeth II was an expert when it came to symbolism in choosing her looks, as she used clothes, colours, hats, and jewelry to communicate with subjects and apply soft diplomacy.
With Britain’s longest-reigning monarch buried on Monday, it was time for her fans, family members, state leaders and other dignitaries to do the same.
Of course, black was the dominant color among the two thousand guests who gathered at Westminster Abbey in London for the ceremony.
Although the fashion choices were limited for the occasion, hats, brooches, and nods to the national dress added character to the darker outfits.
Formal headwear came in all shapes and sizes, from wide-brimmed hats to beanie hats decorated with nets.
The most elaborate designs were seen on the mother of the Princess of Wales, Carol Middleton, and the leader of the British House of Commons, Penny Mordaunt, who wore a feathered hat.
Queen Rania, wife of Jordan’s King Abdullah II, appeared in a long black coat with an elegant black hat that covered her face with a thin net, while Jordanian Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein wore a black dress decorated with a brooch in the form of a flower.
Sheikha Jawaher bint Hamad bin Suhaim Al Thani, wife of the Emir of Qatar, chose to appear in a long black robe, and her simple look was accompanied by a necklace consisting of two rows of pearls, with simple earrings.
No member of the royal family was too young to abide by tradition, and Princess Charlotte, now third in line to the throne, also appeared in a dark hat.
The 7-year-old princess also wore a small diamond horseshoe brooch on her coat, which was a gift from her great-grandmother, Kensington Palace told CNN.
Other members of the Queen’s immediate family were decorated with sashes and medals according to their military rank.
The new king, Charles III, wore the uniform of the Royal Navy, while his son, William, the newly appointed Prince of Wales, wore the uniform of the Royal Air Force.
Prince Edward and Princess Anne also appeared in matching uniforms.
Prince Andrew, who was stripped of his royal duties, appeared in a simple morning suit, decorated with medals and various decorations, while Prince Harry appeared in civilian clothes, after he stepped back from his royal duties in 2020.
The Princess of Wales, Catherine, wore a pair of pearl drop earrings awarded to the Queen and Prince Philip for their wedding in 1947.
She also wore a Japanese pearl necklace from the Queen’s personal collection of jewelry.
The Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, wore an elegant cap-sleeved dress and earrings given to her by the Queen in 2018.
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, who often uses important occasions to refer to her country’s traditions, wore a feathered Maori dress.