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Pantone color-codes the queen for her Diamond Jubilee

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To mark Queen Elizabeth II’s 60 years on the throne, the folks at the Pantone Color Institute and the London branch of the Leo Burnett advertising agency have teamed up to compile a limited-edition color guide to the monochromatic monarch’s most memorable moments.

Below are a few of the outfits that are included in the catalog, along with a bit of color commentary by the Pantone Color Institute’s executive director Leatrice Eiseman.

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Pantone 13-0755 Primrose Yellow: “The queen’s royal wedding outfit from 2011 was Primrose Yellow,’ writes Eisman. ‘Yellow is a color that speaks to the future with hope and optimism. William’s wedding was a time of national celebration and this choice of yellow complements the joyous mood of the occasion. It’s a color that is high visibility (befitting a queen), while still not detracting from the bride.”

Pantone 13-4411 Crystal Blue: “Blue is a color staple in the queen’s wardrobe, it’s a color that communicates constancy and it is also symbolic of her devotion to the British people. Blues traditionally have calming properties and she is often seen wearing them during difficult times. Blue is also seen as de-stressing so it’s no surprise she was sporting a serene blue to a Royal Garden Party in 2010.’

Pantone 13-5414 Ice Green: “During the Queen’s landmark state visit to Ireland, the first since the country gained independence in the 1920s, she was seen in a cool shade of green. Her color choice echoed the sentiment of her visit as green is widely seen to symbolise new beginnings, fresh thoughts and rejuvenation.”

Sticking with the theme of the queen’s 60th year on the throne, the Diamond Jubilee Colour Guide has defined and deconstructed 60 of the most memorable outfits since her majesty’s coronation (compete with date, location and Pantone’s reference number).

But good luck getting your hands on one. They have been printed in a limited and numbered run of just 60 copies. And in deference to Buckingham Palace’s policies on the use of the queen’s image for commercial advertising purposes (and let’s be honest, it’s essentially a Pantone catalog that happens to feature the queen of England), they will not be available for purchase. One copy was presented to the queen, and the other 59 are destined to become the kind of coveted tchotchke that mysteriously makes its way to the coffee tables of the cool crowd of magazine editors, tastemakers and friends of the brand.

It’s enough to make one Pantone 16-6444 with envy.

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-- Adam Tschorn

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