The Queen’s ‘secret’ hack shared with Kate Middleton after she was ‘fed up’ with Marilyn Monroe moments

The late Queen Elizabeth II shared a discreet fashion tip with Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, after becoming frustrated with the occasional wardrobe malfunctions caused by the royal dress code. The royal family adheres to strict guidelines regarding attire, including a rule that dresses and skirts must fall below the knee. However, Kate has been known to break this regulation on several occasions, leading to unintentional and potentially inappropriate moments when gusts of wind caused her hemlines to fly up.

Reportedly, the Queen grew weary of these Marilyn Monroe-esque incidents and decided to share a “secret” royal hack with Kate to prevent such occurrences. This hack, likely involving weights or other discreet measures, helps secure the hem of a dress or skirt, eliminating the risk of it blowing up in windy conditions. One notable instance where Kate experienced this issue was during a 2019 visit to Bhutan, when a gust of wind caused her skirt to lift while meeting the King and Queen of Bhutan in Thimphu.

By sharing this fashion tip, the late Queen aimed to ensure that Kate could maintain her elegant and timeless style while adhering to the royal dress code without the risk of unintended wardrobe mishaps.

The recent incident involving Kate Middleton’s skirt being blown up while playing archery in Bhutan has drawn attention to similar occurrences in the past. In 2016, during a visit to New Delhi, a gust of wind caused Kate’s cream Emilia Wickstead dress to fly up during a wreath-laying service at the India Gate. This was not an isolated incident, as Kate has experienced wardrobe malfunctions due to wind on previous occasions as well.

In 2011, during a tour of Canada, Kate’s yellow Jenny Packham dress was blown up by a gust of wind. More recently, in January 2020, while attending a conference in London, the skirt of her tweed Dolce and Gabbana skirt suit flew up as she stepped out of her car.

These incidents have highlighted the challenges faced by public figures in maintaining their composure and dignity in the face of unexpected wardrobe mishaps. It is reported that Kate has sought advice from the late Queen Elizabeth II on how to prevent such situations, as the monarch herself had likely encountered similar experiences during her many public engagements over the years.

While fashion blunders are often unavoidable, particularly in windy conditions, the royal family has demonstrated resilience and grace in handling these situations with poise and professionalism.

The issue of wardrobe malfunctions, particularly with skirts and dresses blowing up in windy conditions, has been a concern for members of the royal family. In July 2019, during the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s visit to Bhutan, the Duchess’s skirts reportedly blew up several times, prompting a Buckingham Palace source to reveal to the Daily Star that the Queen was “fed up” with Kate not heeding advice to have her hems weighted down.

The Queen herself has employed a clever solution to this problem – using curtain weights sewn into the hems of her handmade outfits. These circular lead weights, costing just £1.50 for a packet of four, are sourced from the Chelsea department store Peter Jones by the Queen’s favorite couturier, Stewart Parvin.

In an interview with the Daily Mail in April 2012, Parvin explained the technique, saying, “The beauty of a handmade outfit is that it hangs just right, but of course, we have a few tricks up our sleeve. I just pop a couple of weights into the hemline of her dresses and coats, and it makes them hang beautifully. If there is a flap in the coat, then I will sew in one on each side of the split to even it up.”

This simple yet effective solution ensures that the Queen’s outfits maintain their elegance and poise, even in windy conditions, preventing any potential wardrobe mishaps.

The late Queen Elizabeth II’s fashion choices were meticulously designed to ensure a polished and dignified appearance at all times. According to her dressmaker, Ian Thomas, lightweight chiffon skirts were often sewn with small lead weights or chains to prevent them from blowing up in the wind, avoiding any potential wardrobe malfunctions.

Thomas praised the Queen’s impeccable style, describing her as a “classic beauty” who could effortlessly pull off any color, from subtle beiges and golds to bold fuchsia pinks and lime greens. Her flawless complexion allowed her to wear a wide range of hues with ease.

The Queen reportedly shared this fashion tip with Kate Middleton, who has since incorporated weights into her lighter skirts, preventing any unintended fashion mishaps over the years.

While the Royal Family’s dress code has evolved with time, Kate and Meghan Markle have been seen embracing more modern styles, such as shorter hemlines and the occasional decision to forgo tights, reflecting the changing fashion landscape.