Queen Elizabeth wouldn't give up her old Barbour jacket, even when offered a brand new one for free.

Queen Elizabeth

Queen Elizabeth

Dame Margaret Barbour, the boss behind the luxury outdoor clothing brand, has revealed the 90-year-old monarch refused to part ways with her traditional wax jacket despite being offered a £300 replacement for absolutely nothing as a gift for her diamond jubilee in 2012.

The businesswoman explained that whilst the Queen "would accept" a new jacket, she also wanted to have her old jacket - which she is thought to have owned for 25 years - re-waxed.

Dame Margaret told UK radio station BBC Radio 4's 'Women's Hour': "It is very desirable to have a very well-worn Barbour jacket.

"[She] wanted her long Barbour jacket re-waxing and we said 'We'd love to do this Ma'am' - to her secretary of course.

"They said, 'Yes, but Her Majesty does want her old one re-waxed'. She would accept a new one, but she wanted her old one back."

And it isn't the first foray into the world of fashion for the Queen either, as Luke Day recently revealed the monarch was the inspiration behind his collection for luxury brand MSGM.

He said: "I think the Queen is a rather majestic muse, especially subverting it to be used for men's fashion inspiration. The TV show 'The Crown' has really put her at the forefront as our new TV obsession and reminded us what a style icon she is.

"Those images of her off duty driving a Range Rover are iconic now, as is her imitable style. The show was really fun to style, I loved turning the models into contemporary versions of her and giving it a sporty, youthful twist."


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