It was such a misty day that the woman about to take the top job in Britain found herself delayed by the weather. As Liz Truss was driven through the autumnal weather towards Balmoral, the fire was lit in the drawing room where The Queen was waiting. Her Majesty was also ready for the cooling weather – she chose a kilt and cardigan for this historic audience.
The Queen looked relaxed, happy and elegant in a light grey combination for a meeting that will go down in the history books. It’s the first time in her 70 year reign that The Queen has appointed a Prime Minister at Balmoral and there was a nod to that in the royal outfit choice.
For the tartan chosen was, in all likelihood, the Balmoral tartan. Designed by Prince Albert, who had found and bought Balmoral when Queen Victoria decided she and their family needed a Scottish retreat, it is a rather exclusive design. It’s only worn by royalty. It also reflects the creation of Balmoral itself. Albert chose grey, black and red to mirror the stonework of the castle which had been built to his specifications after he and Victoria chose to demolish the existing property on the estate as it was too small for their growing family.
The Queen chose a light grey blouse and mushroom coloured cardigan to complete the outfit. Her jewellery was a simple strand of pearls while her engagement and wedding rings were clearly visible as she stood to shake hands with the woman she was about to ask to form a government.
The meeting took place in Balmoral as The Queen’s mobility issues meant she didn’t want to cause last minute concerns by not being able to make the round trip between her Scottish home and London, a journey that would encompass around 1,000 miles.
And she’s made sure that anyone looking at the images is in no doubt as to where she appointed the latest Prime Minister of her reign as tartan dominates the image.
