Queen Elizabeth’s $447 million fortune is set to be split among members of her family following her death earlier this month at the age of 96.
But royal watchers are wondering what will happen to her huge collection of clothing and jewelry.
The monarch was famed for her classic sense of style, wearing colorful coordinated outfits at local functions and dazzling in expensive, elegant ball gowns at international events.
The Queen’s wardrobe will likely be split mostly between Kate Middleton and Queen Consort Camilla, according to royal experts.
Ingrid Seward, the editor-in-chief of Majesty Magazine, said future queen Middleton is likely to inherit a considerable number of Elizabeth’s ensembles — as well as “the lion’s share” of her personal jewelry. While Middleton gets “first choice,” Camilla will get the leftovers, she claimed.
However, some of her most memorable ensembles will be taken by a royal trust for preservation and future display in museums.
“I would expect some of her iconic outfits, such as her Jubilee ensembles or the coats and hats worn to royal weddings, would certainly be preserved for historical purposes,” royal expert Christine Ross told Daily Mail.
8
8
8
“The Historic Royal Palaces Collection preserves a number of Queen Victoria’s and Princess Diana’s clothes, and Queen Elizabeth’s clothes hold as much historical importance and interest,” she said.
Ross added: “I have no doubt that her wedding gown and coronation gown would be preserved by the Royal Collection Trust, and would be placed on display frequently.”
The expert claims that the Queen — who was vastly aware of her own influence and historical significance — would likely have sorted and organized her collections prior to her death.
Clothing that was of less historical significance is likely set to be given to family members — and her granddaughters and great-granddaughters could be in for a windfall.
8
8
“Items from the Queen’s personal collection would have been passed to her family members with each chosen personally by Her Majesty. Like any treasured heirloom, these are certainly very special pieces,” Ross stated.
“Many of the Queen’s ball gowns could be altered to suit Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, the new Princess of Wales [Middleton], or even Princess Charlotte and Lilibet in the future,” she added.
8
8
Meanwhile, The Post previously reported that the Queen’s collection of tiaras will similarly be split — with many going into a royal collection, while others will be handed down to family members.
As for other pieces of jewelry, it appears Middleton — crowned the new Princess of Wales — could come away with the bulk of the pieces.
“I imagine Her late Majesty’s personal jewelry will be given to various members of her family. The Princess of Wales as the future queen receiving the lion’s share,” Seward told the Daily Mail.
8
However, the late monarch’s daughter-in-law Queen Consort Camilla won’t walk away empty-handed.
“There are pieces which will remain for use of the reigning monarch’s wife — in this case, Camilla. She will need a large collection to support her constitutional role,” Seward added.
