Queen Camilla gets Anna Wintour to break famous rule in rare moment | Royal | News

Queen Camilla sparked a royal frenzy on Thursday as she welcomed Dame Anna Wintour to St James’s Palace, with the encounter making headlines for one remarkable reason. The monarch persuaded the queen of fashion to remove her famously impenetrable sunglasses – a move almost unheard of since the late 1990s.

For decades, Wintour’s dark shades have been as much a part of her identity as her signature bob, often described by the editor herself as a kind of armour. She has previously explained that they help her avoid being seen, acting as props that allow her to observe the world while maintaining a protective distance.

The rare glimpse of her eyes sparked a frenzy, instantly gripping both royal watchers and the fashion world.

Writing on X, formerly known as Twitter, one person penned: “I don’t think I’ve ever seen her without them. She doesn’t need them, she’s lovely and warm looking.”

A second fan and said: “She has such beautiful striking eyes! It does soften up her face a bit. I expected her eyes to be catty and fierce. But no, its not at all that.”

While another shared: “Not often you get Anna to take her sunglasses off.”

Beyond the social media buzz, the meeting carried deeper cultural significance. Anna, 76, is widely regarded as the reigning authority in global fashion, having spent decades shaping not just trends but the very framework through which style is understood, documented and celebrated around the globe.

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Anna’s influence on British fashion in particular has been profound. Through championing homegrown designers on an international stage, strengthening connections between the industry and national institutions, and helping elevate London’s status as a global fashion capital.

Recognition of that contribution has come at the highest levels. She was made a Dame by Queen Elizabeth II and later appointed a Companion of Honour by King Charles III, acknowledgements that reflect both her cultural impact and her longstanding relationship with Britain’s creative landscape.

Anna’s wardrobe choices have often nodded to that connection too, frequently spotlighting British labels like Alexander McQueen and Burberry, embracing pieces that carry historical significance.

On one notable occasion when receiving honours at Buckingham Palace, she wore a historic amethyst necklace once owned by Queen Mary – a subtle but powerful gesture that underscored her appreciation for royal heritage and tradition.

Seen in that context, her appearance alongside Queen Camilla felt like more than a ceremonial engagement; it read as a meeting of two enduring forces – the monarchy and the woman often described as fashion’s most formidable power broker.