The Queen's clever trick for walking all day has been revealed—and let's just say, we probably won't be following in her footsteps.
- The Queen's secret trick to making sure she can walk in her shoes all day has been revealed.
- The clever technique works every time - but we don't think we'll be trying it ourselves.
- In other royal news, Kate Middleton clears up a case of mistaken identity on first trip to Orkney—and fans are delighted.
As the UK head of state, the Queen spends a great deal of time traveling, standing, and meeting people—meaning comfortable shoes are an absolute necessity.
While the rest of us can get away with a pair of stylish walking boots, Her Majesty knows she must adhere to higher standards when it comes to her fashion. She therefore only wears well-worn shoes in public—but no, they're not from a charity shop.
Rather than risk blisters and calluses, the Queen hires staff to break in her footwear before she wears them. These employees are known as 'flunkies' and their job involves walking on Buckingham Palace's carpets in the monarch's new shoes until they're nice and soft. It's a random job, but it has to be done.
"The shoes have to be immediately comfortable," royal couturier Stewart Parvin explains. "The Queen can never say, 'I'm uncomfortable, I can't walk anymore.'"
The Queen's secret trick for walking all day at royal engagements is pure genius
The task typically goes to a member of Her Majesty's fashion team, the exclusive squad that organizes all of her outfits. Angela Kelly, the Queen's personal designer, is one of the people who has walked in the monarch's shoes.
"The Queen has very little time to herself and not time to wear in her own shoes, and as we share the same shoe size it makes the most sense this way," she revealed to Hello! magazine.
Fortunately for Angela, the Queen doesn't get too experimental with her shoe styles. Her Majesty has reportedly worn the same type of shoe for the past 50 years, favoring Anello & Davide slip-ons for all her public engagements. She has reportedly gone through hundreds of pairs during her reign, keeping 10 pairs on-hand around at any given time.
