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Lesson 4 of 6
  • Year 1

The queen’s clothes tell a story

I can describe how Elizabeth II's clothes during ceremonies and visits showed respect and told people about her duties.

Lesson 4 of 6
New
New
  • Year 1

The queen’s clothes tell a story

I can describe how Elizabeth II's clothes during ceremonies and visits showed respect and told people about her duties.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Elizabeth II wore different clothes for each of her duties.
  2. Her clothes showed respect for people and places she visited.
  3. Wearing a uniform showed her role as head of the armed forces.
  4. On visits abroad, she chose colours linked to that country.
  5. Her clothing told a story of service to many nations.

Keywords

  • Ceremony - a special event with important actions or rules

  • Respect - when you look up to and admire someone

  • Uniform - clothes for a job or duty

  • Commonwealth - countries that work together in friendship; most of them were once ruled by Britain

Common misconception

Pupils may think that Elizabeth II's choice of clothes was just to look nice.

Remind pupils that her clothes were part of her work. They showed duty and respect wherever she went.


To help you plan your year 1 history lesson on: The queen’s clothes tell a story, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Use a “dress-up story chest” which could include similar clothes, items or images to the ones mentioned in the lesson. Reveal each as the story moves through events.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
  • Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

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4 Questions

Q1.
Why did Elizabeth become queen in 1952?

People voted for her to become queen.
She won a competition to become queen.
Correct answer: The previous king died and she was next in line.

Q2.
Where did Elizabeth's coronation ceremony take place?

the cathedral in Winchester
Correct answer: Westminster Abbey in London
the minster in York

Q3.
Match the symbol to what it is.

Correct Answer:crown,a fancy hat

a fancy hat

Correct Answer:sceptre,a fancy stick

a fancy stick

Correct Answer:orb,a fancy ball

a fancy ball

Q4.
How did many people watch Elizabeth's coronation?

Correct answer: Many people bought a TV and watched the coronation with their family.
Most people travelled to London to watch the coronation in person.
Lots of people watched the coronation on their computers.

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
Match the word to the correct definition.

Correct Answer:respect,when you look up to and admire someone

when you look up to and admire someone

Correct Answer:uniform,clothes for a job or duty

clothes for a job or duty

Correct Answer:ceremony,a special event with important actions or rules

a special event with important actions or rules

Correct Answer:Commonwealth,countries that work together in friendship; some once ruled by Britain

countries that work together in friendship; some once ruled by Britain

Q2.
Why did Elizabeth wear red and white when she visited Canada?

Correct answer: These are the colours of Canada's flag - Elizabeth was showing respect.
Elizabeth had no choice, someone else picked out her clothes for her.
Elizabeth wanted clothes that would match her shoes and purse.

Q3.
During the Trooping the Colour ceremony, Elizabeth inspected her Guards. In which city did the ceremony take place?

Correct Answer: London

Q4.
Why did Elizabeth wear special colours when visiting Commonwealth countries?

Correct answer: to show respect for those countries
because those countries made her wear them
to match the weather

Q5.
What happens in Parliament?

judges decide who has broken the law
Correct answer: the leaders of the country meet to make new laws
queens decide what new laws will be created

Q6.
Was Elizabeth just the Queen of the United Kingdom?

Yes, she was just the Queen of the United Kingdom.
No, she was not the Queen of the United Kingdom.
Correct answer: No, she was also the Queen of many Commonwealth countries.