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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Chiara Fiorillo

Why Queen Elizabeth never wore leather gloves - and if Camilla will

Queen Elizabeth was known for her love of gloves and often wore them during royal engagements, but she was not a fan of leather.

Genevieve James, Creative Director at Cornelia James, said the late Queen "loved her gloves" which were part of her style.

She explained that her taste never changed over the years and her dresser Angela Kelly would usually ask for something in brushed cotton or even black.

The Queen never wore leather or synthetic gloves, as she always preferred the feel of a pure cotton glove with an elegant suede-brushed finish or a light Swiss jersey.

Queen Elizabeth was loyal to the brand and had around 40 pairs of Cornelia James gloves that she used in several occasions, especially when she was expected to shake people's hands.

Genevieve James with a selection of gloves worn by the Queen (Daily Mail/REX/Shutterstock)
The company has been making gloves for royals for many years (Daily Mail/REX/Shutterstock)

The company continued making gloves for the Queen right until the end of her life - and even provided her with some new pairs for the Platinum Jubilee last year.

Ms James told the Daily Mail: "Her taste never really wavered over the years despite the ebbs and flows of fashion,' Genevieve says.

"The Queen simply loved her gloves, not just practically, because she had to shake hundreds of hands every day, but they were part of her style."

She added that Her Majesty "never threw anything away" and in some of her recent photographs, she was wearing pairs of gloves that Cornelia James had made for her back in the 1960s.

The late Queen visiting a group of local school children in Virginia's State Capitol building in 2007 (AFP via Getty Images)
The Queen wearing gloves designed by Cornelia James during an engagement in Leicester Square, London (Tim Graham Photo Library via Get)

Ms James and her husband took over the company after her mum Cornelia James died in 1999 - and decided to ditch accessories, focusing on making only gloves.

The company also made gloves for Diana, Princess of Wales, model Claudia Schiffer to singer Madonna.

Camilla, who will become Queen when King Charles is officially crowned on Saturday, was previously pictured wearing leather gloves as she arrived at Ladies' Day at Cheltenham Racecourse in March 2020.

She donned a white and brown polka-dot dress, as well as black leather gloves for the occasion.

Camilla wearing black leather gloves while attending Ladies Day at the Cheltenham Festival in March 2020 (PA)
Kate wearing gloves during a Christmas Day church service in Sandringham in 2014 (Tim Rooke/REX/Shutterstock)

Ms James was too discreet to confirm whether she is now making gloves for the future Queen to wear at the Coronation on Saturday, but they will probably be worn by a number of high-profile guests attending the major event.

The company was also asked by stylist Bailey Moon to make a pair of gloves for US First Lady Jill Biden, who will represent her husband at Westminster Abbey.

Ms James said: "We never know if our clients will actually wear them until the day, but it's all very exciting.

"Gloves are the finishing touch to any outfit and it's wonderful that a new generation is discovering that now."

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