Wear a Smile. For Liz.

These are the front end papers of a “happened-to-find” [if you believe in that sort of thing. As Mex says, “We do not.”] called Our Rainbow Queen by Sali Hughes. It’s a tribute to Queen Elizabeth II and her rainbow of clothing choices throughout her reign.

There has, of course, been a lot of coverage during the aftermath of Liz’s death — Liz is how we refer to her at our house — first-afters and the like. William’s first speech after her death. Charles’ first photo op after her death. Camilla’s first hat after her death. Et al.

You may have heard that her funeral cortege left Buckingham Palace precisely at 2:22 PM, and that it was significant. According to myth, Jesus of Nazareth died at the precise hour of 3 PM. Those planning her last trip through London, wanting to honor her deep, abiding, and sustaining faith, calculated that the trip would be complete at precisely 3, hence the time.

One of the many things that is true about Elizabeth, Regina, is her deliberate nature. Enter Our Rainbow Queen. Each clothing choice from hat to bag to shoes, but most especially as to color, was intentional. I read that she felt it was her duty, by her very being, to uplift the spirits of her subjects. One of the ways she did that was with color in her wardrobe.

We all do it, of course, but we don’t think about it. The next time you’re dressing for anything … work, a date, a party, a walk alone … think about what color might uplift your spirits, just like Liz. Then, wear that.