Rare pics reveal British Hong Kong’s fashionable royals

Jul 3 , 2017

(from the left) Princess Alexandra, Pricness Anne, Queen Elizabeth, Pricness Margret and Princess Diana.

Hong Kong handover 20th anniversary: History

The queens, princesses and political leaders who visited Hong Kong on various occasions before the 1997 handover

Today, Hong Kong marks the 20th anniversary of its handover from Britain to China. Apart from the red post boxes with the crown logos and Chris Patten, the last British governor of Hong Kong, who loved egg tarts, there’s another aspect of Hong Kong’s colonial history that still draws affection – the wardrobes of the royals who visited Hong Kong between the 1960s and 1990s.

We’ve dug up rare photos of the royals’ most fashionable moments in Hong Kong from the South China Morning Postarchives. If you look closely, you might find that some of the fashion elements are back in style.

Queen Elizabeth II

The queen visited Hong Kong twice during the colonial era, once in 1975, and again in 1986. We have photos of the queen visiting Oi Man Estate as well as the City Hall in 1975, and the Hong Kong Polytechnic and Jockey Club in Sha Tin during 1986. She has never made a fashion faux pas, and her wardrobe is still impeccable today.

The Queen visited the Oi Man Estate in 1975

On the same day and on the same outfit, the Queen also visited the market stall

It was a historic moment for Hong Kong as Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philipok arrived at the Kai Tak Airport in 1975

The queen left for Government House in a limousine after a welcoming ceremony at City Hall

A Hong Kong Polytechnic student explained to Queen Elizabeth II how an invention works during her visit to the college's technology and community care displays

The Queen awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Cup at Sha Tin racecourse n 1986

The Royal Couple bids farewell to Hong Kong after spending three joyful days in the territory