The one day a year the Queen has her makeup done professionally

In what's probably the most surprising news of 2019, it's been confirmed Queen Elizabeth does her own makeup daily, hiring a professional artist just once a year.

According to Angela Kelly, who's worked with Queen Elizabeth for the past 25 years as a royal dresser, Her Royal Highness splashes out during the merry season, enlisting the skills of TV make-up artist Marilyn Widdess to ensure her look is perfect when recording her annual Christmas speech.

"You might be surprised to know that this is the only occasion throughout the year when Her Majesty does not do her own make up," Kelly wrote in her new book, The Other Side of the Coin: the Queen, the Dresser and the Wardrobe. 

Despite having public appearances all year round, the 93-year-old prefers to apply her own beauty look, which includes a swipe of pink lipstick and a little blush and eyeliner, reportedly favouring Clarins and Elizabeth Arden products.

In fact, HRH is such a fan of Clarins, she commissioned the brand to create a lip colour to match her robes for her coronation, before granted them a Royal Warrant in 2007. And it's rumoured that her smooth complexion is the result of a slick of Elizabeth Arden's cult product Eight Hour Cream, which has also held a Royal Warrant for 55 years. 

It's believed Queen Elizabeth isn't the only royal who prefers to sit in front of the mirror in the morning and paint her own face, with both Kate Middleton and Megan Markle reportedly following in the Monarch's footsteps.

The Duchess of Cambridge is said to be that committed to getting ready solo, she did she own make-up for her 2011 wedding to Prince William. Meanwhile, despite reports of former actress Markle being a diva, the Duchess of Sussex is also said to be low-key in the beauty department.

"She's been doing her make-up herself," reveals her friend Daniel Martin, who created Markle's wedding look. "She's not fussy – she's trying to get it on and get out the door."

Now, there's no word on whether the Queen will be creating her own beauty vlog, but we'll stand by for the announcement.