FILE PHOTO: Britain's Queen Elizabeth II talks with MI5 officers during a visit to the headquarters of MI5, which is the United Kingdom's domestic counter-intelligence and security agency, at Thames House in London, Britain February 25, 2020. (Photo: Victoria Jones/PA Wire/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo)
Even the most popular celebrity got nothing on Queen Elizabeth. Her Majesty may be in her 90s, but she is still enjoying a lavish lifestyle.
According to royal experts, Queen Elizabeth doesn’t have a budget despite her “eye-watering” bills. Her Majesty is not only known for her bright wardrobes, but she also owns multiple expensive royal residences.
"There were very specific pieces interesting the Royal Family but there were no budgets,” David Sassoon said about Queen Elizabeth's wardrobe. Royal editor Katie Nicholl then added that "Royal residences are incredibly expensive to run and the bills really are eye-watering."
Royal butler Paul Burrell revealed that Queen Elizabeth’s wardrobe has its own room in Buckingham Palace.
"She has to have her outfits brought down to her, all her clothes are kept on the top floor,” he said. Her dresser will bring down in the morning two outfits, which are sketched with pieces of material clipped to them so that the Queen can remember whether it’s silk or cotton or wool. The one the Queen picks is the one which is brought downstairs from up above so she doesn’t actually see her wardrobe with clothes in it.”
Queen Elizabeth wears brightly-colored outfits to make her stand out from the crowd. She also most of the time wears a matching hat with her wardrobe designed by her dressmaker Angela Kelly or royal couturier Stewart Parvin.
"It’s not a ’look at me’ thing, it’s more about ‘people want to see me so I’m going to help them,’ with crowds around,” Royal expert Victoria Howard said. “But yes, power move, I like that term.”
While it’s quite obvious that Queen Elizabeth is a huge fan of dresses, she is not a hoarder. Author Brian Hoey wrote in his 2011 book "Not in Front of the Corgis" that Her Majesty would give out her clothes if she doesn’t want to wear them anymore.
“The Queen’s clothes are a constant source of comment in the media and she will wear a favorite outfit for years,” he wrote. “When she finally tires of it, she will hand it to one of her dressers, who can either wear it or sell it.”
The True Royalty TV narrator said in the Spending secrets of the Royal Family: ”Britain's Royal Family is famed for its traditional ceremonies, dedicated service, and lavish spending… In an age of belt-tightening, their costs keep rising. The taxpayer now gives the Queen more than £70million every year."
