Top 15 Most Beautiful Queens in History

Top 15 Most Beautiful Queens in History

*Originally published by Lilian on April 2022 and Updated by Vanessa R on May 2023 and Updated  by Vanessa R in Februrary 2024

Beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder, they say. As subjective as beauty may be, there are people men and women or by their preferred gender, who are considered to be without a doubt, beautiful.

When it comes to royalty, there are several that were considered beautiful like the late Princess Diana, Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton.

There have been queens considered to be stunning just by looks, their dressing and how they carried themselves.

Some of these queens are well known, while others have been largely lost to the oblivion of pop culture. One thing that determined the beauty standards were cultural influences.

In today’s blog, you will get to read about the 15 most beautiful queens in history.

Check them out below.

1. Queen Rania, Jordan

HRH Queen Rania of Jordan. Photo by Jordanian Royal Hashemite Court – Wikimedia

We start in Jordan, home to Queen Rania. She is married to a former Napoleon, Abdullah, who is the King of Jordan. The two met at a regale party and six months after that they were married. Their wedding day was set as a public vacation.

As queen of Jordan, Rania has advocated for several causes such as the rights of women and children, access to education, environmental concerns, and the development of strong Jordanian communities.

Forbes magazine ranked Rania as one of the world’s 100 most powerful women. In recognition of her work, Her Majesty humbly accepted many awards, locally, regionally, and globally.

2. Marie of Romania

Born in the British royal family as Marie of Edinburgh, she became the queen of Romania as the wife of King Ferdinand I. when she was a child, Marie had a fairytale-type look: fair skin and sparkling blue eyes.

There were speculations that she had been courted by Winston Churchill but eventually went on to marry Ferdinand I of Romania. Together with King Ferdinand I, they had six children

Her early years were spent in Kent, Malta and Coburg. Being the beauty queen she was, the future King George V asked for her hand in marriage but declined.

During the World War, the queen and her daughters sought refuge in Moldavia. Here, they worked as nurses in the hospital taking care of wounded soldiers.

Marie is primarily remembered for her work as a nurse but is also known for her extensive writing, including her critically acclaimed autobiography.

3. Elisabeth of France

Elisabeth as young girl in France. Photo sourced from Wikimedia

Elisabeth of France was also known as Isabel of Bourbon. She served as the queen consort of Spain and Portugal in the first part of the 17th century.

When she was 10, her parents started negotiations for her to be married to the Prince of Asturias, who was heir to the crown of Spain. She was married to King Philip IV of Spain and had 9 children.

Together with her brother Charles Philippe, they were said to be devout conservatives in the royal family. She stayed put with her brother and his family during the French Revolution.

Unfortunately, she was executed at the young age of 41. The Catholic church regards her as a martyr and was declared a Servant of God by Pope Pius XII.

4. Eleanor of Provence

Just like the women in her generation before her, Eleanor was renowned for her beauty. She had dark hair and fine eyes. She was described as the fairest way of life.

Queen Eleanor of Provence was born around 1223 in the Aix-en-Provence region of France. She later became the Queen consort of England through her marriage to King Henry III of England.

She lived in London and had several of her relatives, known as the “Savoyards” with her. The relatives were given influential positions in the court. This was not taken well by fellow Londoners.

Other than being a natural beauty, Eleanor was also known for being very intelligent. Additionally, she possessed excellent writing skills and was a trendsetter in terms of fashion.

5. Jetsun Pema, Bhutan

the Bhutan Queen, Her Majesty Jetsun Pema Wangchuck, in New Delhi on January 07, 2014. Photo courtesy of Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs – Wikimedia Commons

Famously known as the Dragon Queen of Bhutan, Jetsun was the wife of King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck. She is also the youngest queen consort in the world.

Jetsun and the King have two children: Prince Jigme Namgyel Wangchuck, the heir-in-waiting to the Bhutanese throne, and Jigme Ugyen Wangchuck.

As the queen, Jetsun Pema has been on several visits abroad to India, Singapore, Japan and the United Kingdom with the king.

Their royal visits on road through the country involve meeting and interacting with as many local people, students and public servants as possible.

Jetsun Pema is an advocate of environmental issues and the Patron of the Royal Society for Protection of Nature (RSPN). She is also the UNEP Ozone Ambassador. She works closely with various organisations working with children with special needs as the patron of Ability Bhutan Society.

6. Nefertiti of Ancient Egypt

Queen Nefertiti, the wife of King Akhenaton, is one of the most famous ancient queens. She is popularly known for her beauty and grace.

She worked closely with her husband to shift the viewpoints of religion. They influenced the practice of believing in only one God. Although there is little public information on her, her legacy is still respected and admired today.

After the death of her husband, Nefertiti ruled as Pharaoh and her reign was marked by the fall of Amarna and the relocation of the capital back to the traditional city of Thebes.

She was made famous by her bust, now in Berlin’s Neues Museum. It was attributed to the sculptor Thutmose, and it was found in his workshop.

7. Cleopatra of Egypt

Cleopatra and Caesar (1866), a painting by Jean-Léon Gérôme – Wikimedia

Another famous Egyptian beauty is Cleopatra. She has known the world over for her beauty. The power of her physical attraction was not to be underestimated. 

Like the beauty that she was, she utilized it very well. Through her beauty, Cleopatra influenced political decisions.

History records show that she used her prominent features to seduce Julius Caesar and Mark Antony. In turn, it changed the course of world history.

One of her most prominent features was her nose which was said to be her strongest tool.  

8. Makeda, Queen of Sheba, Ethiopia

Another African beauty also recorded in the Bible and the Quran is the Queen of Sheba. She was known for her fine gifts and intelligence. Queen Sheba visited King Solomon after hearing great tales about him.

In his book, “World’s Great Men of Colour,” J.A. Rogers, describes Sheba: “Out of the mists of three thousand years, emerges this beautiful story of a Black Queen, who attracted by the fame of a Judean monarch, made a long journey to see him.”

Together with King Solomon, they had a son, Menelik I, who would become the first Emperor of Ethiopia.

9. Annia Galeria Faustina

Marble statue of Faustina’s daughter and joint empress Lucilla, Bardo National Museum, Tunisia. Photo by AlexanderVanLoon – Wikimedia

Annia Galeria Faustina is also known as Faustina the Elder. She was a Roman Empress who was married to Roman Emperor Antoninus Pius.

Her beauty was captured through sculptures created in honour of the Roman Empress. She died early at the age of 35. Despite this, she was celebrated and commemorated as a Diva during the reign of Emperor Antoninus, a testament to her beauty.

10. Hatshepsut, Egypt

A Statue of Hatshepsut. Photo sourced from Wikimedia Commons

Still in Egypt, we have Hatshepsut who was one of the most influential women in ancient Egypt and the World. She was believed to be the fifth pharaoh of the 18th Dynasty of Ancient Egypt.

Her reign in power was longer than any other woman in Egyptian history. She was married to Thutmose II, and the two of them started to co-rule after the death of Thutmose I, in 1492 BC.

After the death of her husband in 1479 BC, Hatshepsut kept on ruling Egypt by herself until she died in 1458 BC.

Her long reign was a time of peace and prosperity in ancient Egypt. She is regarded as one of Egypt’s most successful pharaohs.

11. Queen Soraya of Iran

http://www.dashtak.ir/post-45.aspx, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

With long, dark hair, big sunglasses, and red lipstick as part of her signature outfit, Queen Soraya, the second wife of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi of Iran, could have passed for a Hollywood star.

Her wedding gown, which she had Christian Dior create, was the first to make the public aware of her serious fashion credentials. It was made of 37 yards of silver lamé and featured 20,000 marabou feathers, 6,000 diamond pieces, and pearls.

12. Queen Victoria Eugenie of Spain

Christian Franzen, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

The granddaughter of Queen Victoria, who went by the name Queen Ena of Spain, was well-known for having some influence in her day.

Before it became fashionable, she promoted the beaded costumes and pearl necklaces worn by flapper girls in the 1920s. She also loved diamonds, having acquired a vast collection from her Spanish in-laws upon her marriage to King Alfonso XIII.

13.  Eleanor of Aquitaine

Eleanor married Louis VII of France in 1137, becoming his Queen Consort. She travelled to the Byzantine Empire with her husband Louis during their entire marriage and participated in the Second Crusade in 1147.

She became an important player in improving commercial pacts between Western Europe, Constantinople, and the Holy Land. In 1152, she was able to successfully annul her marriage to Louis. Eleanor became Queen Consort to Henry II of England in 1154.

14. Elizabeth I of England

Elizabeth was born to Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn, who died two and a half years before Elizabeth was born. Anne Boleyn was Henry VIII’s second wife. Elizabeth was deemed to be unfit for marriage, and Anne’s union with Henry VIII was annulled. The general rule was that Elizabeth was more reasonable than her father and half-brothers had been.

15.  Mary Queen of Scots

Mary’s life was interesting. When she was only six days old, she was crowned queen of Scotland. She moved to France when she was five years old to be reared in the French court. When she was finally old enough, she married King Francis II, who died the following year.

Mary returned to Scotland, where her string of immoral love affairs and a steadfast allegiance to Catholicism in a Protestant nation led to unrest and a revolution against her. She had no choice but to flee to England for safety.

20 Ways These Queens Influenced Fashion

1. Queen Elizabeth I – Ruffs and Elaborate Dresses

After Levina Teerlinc, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Queen Elizabeth I of England was known for dressing in very fancy gowns with puffy sleeves, detailed embroidery, and stiff ruff collars to frame her face. During her reign over England, these unique dresses were her trademark look.

The Queen loved jewels and wore intricate lace, silk, velvet and ribbons. Ladies belonging to high society and at the royal court would try to copy the Queen’s style. They believed if they wore extravagant dresses like Queen Elizabeth, they would seem important too.

2. Queen Nefertiti – Egyptian Headdresses

Queen Nefertiti of ancient Egypt often decorated her head in tall, cone-shaped golden crowns with jewels and carvings. She would also wear heavy collars and headbands made of semi-precious gemstones.

Egyptian artwork clearly shows the famous queen’s affinity for these ornaments. Ancient texts reveal that polished metals and stones were hard to come by, so only wealthy women could accessorize this way to imitate royalty. The exotic and glamorous image of Queen Nefertiti wearing gleaming jewelry sparked interest in recreating Egyptian crowns, collars and hair jewelry for hundreds of years.

3. Queen Victoria – White Wedding Gowns

Alexander Bassano, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Young Queen Victoria looked lovely on her wedding day wearing a trendsetting pure white gown trimmed delicately with vintage lace and satin ribbons when she married her beloved Prince Albert in 1840.

Prior to this, royal brides did not typically wear snowy white outfits, nor veils. But common women fell so in love with Queen Victoria’s fairytale look that they wished to copy it, even designing their own afghans and shawls similar to the queen’s. Allowing common people to feel like royalty on their special day became all the rage, which carries on even now.

4. Queen Cleopatra – Eye Makeup

Legend tells us that alluring Queen Cleopatra of Egypt applied black kohl pigment around her eyes in wing-like shapes to intensify their shape. This method of outlining and defining made Cleopatra’s light eyes stand out dramatically against the dark liner, allowing them to be seen from a distance.

Ladies old and young much preferred Cleopatra’s striking appearance to the plain, barefaced norm of the time. Her seductive appeal was heightened so much by the exotic look that Egyptian-style visible makeup increased exponentially in popularity for both average citizens and those in royal courts wishing to copy her sultry expression.

5. Queen Charlotte – The Color Turquoise

Thomas Gainsborough, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

18th century Queen Charlotte of England enjoyed wearing the vibrant gemstone turquoise. She decorated herself in turquoise jewelry and dresses. After her, the shining blue-green color was called “Charlotte Blue” by British nobility who thought it was majestic and elegant like their queen. Ladies in royal courts chose turquoise gowns and hair pieces to mimic Queen Charlotte’s style.

6. Queen Catherine de Medici – High Heels

Louis-Marie Lanté, Georges-Jacques Gatine, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

When Italian-born Catherine de Medici married the King of France, she brought platform shoes with high heels from Italy to France. As the new French Queen, these shoes stood out and were different.

Many noble French ladies started wearing raised shoes too so they could stand taller like royalty. High heels remain markers of luxury and status because of their association with queens.

7. Empress Elisabeth “Sissi” of Austria – Beauty Routines

In the 1800s, Empress Elisabeth, nicknamed “Sissi,” spent hours doing her makeup, diets, exercise, and skin and hair care. She was celebrated as one of Europe’s most beautiful women in paintings and photography.

Average women envied Sissi and would try to make their own beauty routines by following her devoted process of looking flawless. Empress Sissi made looking beautiful through rigorous self care popular among European women who wanted to feel royal.

8. Queen Mary Tudor of England – Flattering Gowns

Benhard Strigel, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

The overweight, self conscious Queen Mary I ruled England in the 1500s. She preferred to cover her arms and middle in square, loose gowns rather than snug dresses. Queen Mary popularized loose styles with high necklines and flowing skirts that didn’t show the natural waistline. The new fashion took pressure off fuller-figured court ladies of the time who felt more comfortable and regal copying Queen Mary’s style.

9. Queen Marie Antoinette of France – Powdered Wigs

After Jean-Baptiste André Gautier-Dagoty, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

In the 1700s, Queen Marie Antoinette spent hours getting her hair piled high in curly white-powdered wigs topping 6 inches tall that were very heavy. The dramatic look was unusual then, and many thought her hair was strange.

But other rich, fashionable ladies at the Versailles palace loved the attention Queen Marie Antoinette received. Soon powdered wigs styled exceptionally high to stand above crowds became desired by nobility. Peasant women also pretended to have towering hair like the Queen’s even using household flour!

10. Queen Dido of Ancient Carthage – Elaborate Braided Hairstyles

According to legend, lovely queen Dido of the ancient Carthage empire wore dozens of fancy braided hairstyles with golden ties.

Queens and noblewomen admired and mimicked her very complex plaits and updos adorned in jeweled hairpins. Intricately patterned braided buns are still worn today by women in regions Queen Dido reigned due to her influence making braided hair synonymously royal.

11. Queen Letizia of Modern Spain – Eco-Friendly Fashion

CPClegg, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Queen Letizia, the fashion icon wife of Spain’s current King, often repeats outfits she loves by rewearing them months or years later. As a public figure, she uses sustainable fashion to demonstrate responsibility. Queen Letizia encourages people to be thrifty instead of wasteful. Her eco-friendly style inspires everyday citizens and celebrities to recycle dresses.

12. Queen Sirikit of Thailand – Promotion of Thai Textiles

For over seven decades beloved Queen Sirikit of Thailand used her fashions to celebrate Thailand’s artisans by commissioning gorgeous gowns of Thai silk, embroideries, and handwoven fabrics.

She wore the flowing creations for ceremonies and events seen by millions globally. Queen Sirikit’s distinct Thai style choices intentionally spotlighted the quality textiles made in the country. She successfully increased international interest and demand for the kingdom’s silk materials and regional dressmaking traditions.

13. Empress Theodora of the Byzantine Empire – Influential Style and Fabrics

Petar Milošević, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Powerful 6th century Empress Theodora established the Byzantine Empire’s capital Constantinople as the height of fashion through her love of ornate religious fashion worn in the Hagia Sophia cathedral.

The rare silks, intricate trims, and beaded fabrics she popularized for her devout ensembles spawned trends among nobles and clergy members. Eventually Byzantine textures, colors, and designs developed into a distinctive style worn for centuries after Empress Theodora introduced ceremonial clothing as marks of spiritual devotion and imperial rank.

14. Queen Rania of Modern Jordan – Ambassador for Modest Fashion

Queen Rania of Jordan has been instrumental in reshaping perceptions on Muslim modesty traditions in the 21st century through her modern, custom couture outfits carefully crafted to align with her faith.

As Jordan’s first queen from a Palestinian background, she uses a global platform to skillfully pair designer dresses with stylish hair covering options. Queen Rania shows the refined, cosmopolitan possibilities of modest garments adapted to suit contemporary sensibilities while respecting cultural and religious beliefs.

15. Queen Soraya of Iran – Blending Fashion Influences

20th century Queen Soraya of Iran famously mixed elements of traditional Persian dress with Parisian high fashion. She had gowns crafted from Iranian textiles like silky brocades then popular in France.

This East meets West look creating new cultural blended styles. Queen Soraya showed appreciation for both her homeland and adopted country through clever fashions still inspiring designers working across multiple cultures.

16. Queen Nefertari of Egypt – Bold Eye Makeup

“Nefertari” means beautiful in the ancient Egyptian language. Fittingly, Queen Nefertari originally made black kohl winged eyeliner recognizable as a beauty trend in Egypt 3000 years ago. Even common women outlined their eyes dramatically to copy the queen and feel royal. Liner called “eye of Horus” symbolizing protection is still iconic Egyptian makeup today thanks to Queen Nefertari’s initial bold style choice.

17. Dowager Empress Cixi of China – Manchu Shoes

In the mid 1800s Dowager Empress Cixi ruled China for almost 50 years under her son then nephew. As was Manchu tradition, Empress Cixi wore shoes with tall curved fronts poking upward known as heel-less “horsehoof” shoes.

The uncomfortable style kept noble womens’ steps small and swaying. And imperial etiquette rules made it protocol for elite Chinese ladies to learn to walk precisely in the swaying steel-reinforced platforms.

18. Princess Diana of Wales- Power Dressing

John Mathew Smith & www.celebrity-photos.com from Laurel Maryland, USA (Archived link), CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Princess Diana married the heir to England’s throne in the 1980s bringing fresh style to the stuck-in-time royals. She wore wide shouldered boxy blazers with trousers instead of matronly dresses and hats like previous noblewomen.

Princess Diana’s office-ready power dressing with clean lines felt both confident and caring while raising her young princes. Working women especially appreciated seeing lady royalty dress professionally rather than just decoratively.

19. Queen Isabella I of Castille, Spain – Cornet Hats

15th century Queen Isabella I helped unite Spain by marriage. She wore tall cornet hats with veils as fashionable then in Europe’s courts. But Isabella’s distinctive headwear featured tighter lace and structure than elsewhere. Spain’s unique take on cornet hats prevailed for centuries after Isabella made them iconic. The tall triangles represented the prosperous reach of her growing Spanish empire.

20. Queen Itzpapalotl of the Aztecs – Obsidian Mirrors

Legendary Queen Itzpapalotl was an Aztec warrior goddess and patron of native beauty customs. She supposedly gifted women polished obsidian stone mirrors for applying makeup and seeing their beauty.

Obsidian glass reflected better than copper. And Itzpapalotl’s divine association with mirrors made them precious commodities and symbols of value continuing through medieval Mexico. Women visioned themselves as royalty viewing their reflection in iconic obsidian gifted by the queenly goddess Itzpapalotl.