Anna Wintour Removes Sunglasses to Receive Honor From King Charles

A meeting of monarchical and sartorial influence took place at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday, February 4, that surprised and delighted both royal watchers and fashion enthusiasts alike.

The occasion was an investiture ceremony where Dame Anna Wintour, editor-in-chief of Vogue for more than 30 years (and counting!) was in London to receive the Order of the Companions of Honor by King Charles III himself for her unwavering dedication to the world of fashion.

For His Majesty’s meeting with real-life fashion royalty, Wintour, 75, dressed in a prim and proper black-and-white skirt suit by Alexander McQueen. Instantly recognizable by her signature blunt bob and ever-present oval sunglasses, she made a notable departure from her uniform, removing her go-to accessory while accepting the prestigious award from King Charles, 76.

Admirers on social media instantly expressed delight at seeing Wintour without her go-to frames, praising her appearance and suggesting she go sans-shades more often. Her sunglasses, which she once described to the BBC as a “prop” that allows her to simultaneously be seen and unseen, are an integral part of her image. While she has occasionally removed them for other significant occasions, such as receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Biden last month, their absence remains a noteworthy event.

Comments ranged from admiration of her thoughtful decision to wear a British fashion designer to a regal nod to the monarchy with an amethyst necklace that once belonged to Queen Mary. (The heirloom was last sold at a Sotheby’s Auction in 1994 for just over $57,000; 14 years later, Wintour was seen wearing the necklace at the V&A Museum.)

Ever the picture of elegance (and world-class etiquette, mind you), per outlet reported, that she gracefully deflected questions regarding swirling rumors of global Vogue magazine covers that may or may not have been offered to Catherine, the Princess of Wales, with a simile: “Yeah, I don’t know where those (rumors) have come from, do you?” she said.

Never one to shy away from a challenge, she declared to the King that retirement was far from her mind, according to People. This prestigious accolade, reserved for individuals who have made significant and enduring contributions to the arts, sciences, medicine or government, places Wintour in good company, including luminaries like Dame Judi Dench, Sir Elton John and Sir Paul McCartney.

Recalling a previous encounter with the late Queen Elizabeth II, Wintour shared a lighthearted anecdote about their similar longevity in their respective roles — as well as their shared love of up-and-coming British fashion talent, as Wintour and the late Queen memorably sat front row at a Richard Quinn runway show in 2018 when Her Royal Highness presented Quinn, 35, with the inaugural Queen Elizabeth II Award for British Design during a visit to London Fashion Week.

For Dame Anna, her latest recognition served not as a culmination of accomplishments, but as a catalyst for future success. “It makes me even more convinced that I have so much more to achieve,” Wintour stated, according to a report by the Independent, which underscored her relentless get-up-and-go drive and ambition. She was resolute in her response to the King’s query about her future plans. Her firm, but polite, “no” echoed her deep dedication to the industry that she’s profoundly shaped for so long.

Wintour’s career trajectory, beginning at Harper’s & Queens in London before her ascent to the editorship of British Vogue and subsequently U.S. Vogue, is a testament to her influence and vision. Her presence at Buckingham Palace alongside the King served as a powerful reminder of her enduring impact. Wintour’s influence extends beyond the pages of the magazine. Since 1995, she’s presided over the Met Gala, transforming the Costume Institute’s annual fundraiser into one of the most celebrated, star-studded and exclusive events on the global fashion calendar.

With her decades-long tenure at the fashion bible, where she also serves as Chief Content Officer and Global Editorial Director of Condé Nast, the publisher of Vogue among other titles, her recent pronouncements today suggested that this fashion queen’s reign is far from over.