Although Elizabeth was very concerned about her appearance, her vanity has been exaggerated. It was court culture to flatter the monarch, and Elizabeth had to play the part of the flattered monarch, whether she really believed their words or not.  Elizabeth had to look and dress better than everyone else, as she was the monarch and it was expected. There is no evidence that the Queen had all the mirrors in the palaces removed, although the origin of this rumor is difficult to trace, and may well have been circulating in the Queen's own lifetime.