Queen Elizabeth has made a surprise appearance at London Fashion Week, rubbing shoulders with fashion royalty Dame Anna Wintour at the glitzy event.

The Queen, who made her first ever visit to the annual fashion show on Tuesday local time, had front-row seats for the catwalk between Vogue editor Wintour and chief executive of the British Fashion Council Caroline Rush.

The Queen rose to the occasion, wearing an Angela Kelly duck-egg blue tweed dress and jacket detailed with tiny Swarovski crystals.

A plush blue cushion was placed on her seat along with the show notes, and she made comments about the designs – filled with vibrant floral prints – to both her front row companions.

Her Majesty views Richard Quinn's runway show alongside Dame Anna Wintour.
Richard is the first recipient of The Queen Elizabeth II Award for British Design. @LondonFashionWk #LFC pic.twitter.com/5L6D7wz7eV

— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) February 20, 2018

The 91-year-old monarch made her uncharacteristic visit to present the inaugural Queen Elizabeth II award for British design to emerging designer Richard Quinn, the royal family confirmed on Twitter.

The award was initiated to recognise the role the fashion industry plays in society and diplomacy.

Handing the award to Quinn, the Queen commended his work as “wonderful”, while the Royal Family said the designer was deemed the award’s first recipient for creating a print studio that offers accessible services for students and his peer group of emerging designers.

The award will be presented annually to an emerging British fashion designer who shows talent and originality, whilst demonstrating value to the community and/or sustainable policies, according to the royal family.

The Queen watched Richard Quinn’s show from the front row @LondonFashionWk #LFW before presenting him with his award.
Each year a designer will be selected by the @BFC, in collaboration with the Royal Household, to be recognised. pic.twitter.com/wqQDOJAOt5

— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) February 20, 2018

“We wanted it to be a surprise. It’s so special for [Richard], he’s built this amazing business, he’s a working class boy, his parents, who are here, are scaffolders,” the Queen’s personal assistant told Vogue.

The Queen also toured showrooms before presenting the award on the final day of Fashion Week.

Her Majesty wasn’t the only royal to attend a London Fashion Week event this season.

On Monday, the Duchess of Cambridge hosted the Commonwealth Fashion Exchange event at Buckingham Palace.

The event highlighted emerging talent across the Commonwealth’s 53 countries, showcasing fashion as a common language and powerful platform.