A Celebration of Queen Elizabeth II’s Fashion Legacy
A groundbreaking exhibition is set to take place at Buckingham Palace in 2026, marking the centenary of the late Queen Elizabeth II’s birth. This will be the largest ever display of her fashion collection, showcasing over 200 items, many of which have never been seen by the public before. The exhibition, titled Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style, will be held at The King’s Gallery and will trace the evolution of the monarch’s wardrobe throughout her 10 decades of life.
From her early years as a princess to her role as queen, the exhibition will explore the different styles she adopted across various stages of her life. It will highlight her off-duty fashion, diplomatic attire, and the iconic outfits worn during significant events such as her wedding and coronation. The collection will also include pieces that reflect the influence of British designers and the global impact of her style.
Key Pieces on Display
Among the most notable items in the exhibition will be a silver lame and tulle bridesmaid dress worn by Princess Elizabeth when she was just eight years old. This piece is one of the earliest surviving examples of couture from her childhood wardrobe. Another highlight is a white Hartnell gown designed for a 1961 State Banquet in Karachi, which incorporated Pakistan’s national colours through a dramatic emerald-green pleat cascading down the back. This garment exemplifies the diplomatic significance of the Queen’s fashion choices.
The exhibition will also feature the Queen’s famous Sir Norman Hartnell wedding and coronation gowns, along with a trio of floaty, vibrantly printed Ian Thomas evening dresses from the 1970s. These pieces showcase the evolution of her style over the decades, from formal royal attire to more relaxed, yet elegant, evening wear.
Insights into the Queen’s Wardrobe Creation
In addition to clothing, the exhibition will include jewellery, hats, shoes, and accessories. Visitors will also see never-before-seen design sketches, fabric samples, and handwritten correspondence that reveal the behind-the-scenes process of creating the Queen’s wardrobe. These items offer a unique glimpse into the meticulous attention to detail and the collaborative efforts between the Queen and her designers.
Caroline de Guitaut, the exhibition curator and Surveyor of The King’s Works of Art, has written an accompanying book titled Queen Elizabeth II: Fashion and Style. She emphasized the importance of the Queen’s distinctive style in boosting the British fashion industry and influencing generations of designers. “Only now, as the late Queen’s fashion archive comes under the care of Royal Collection Trust, can we tell the story of a lifetime of thoughtful style choices,” she said.
Evolution of the Queen’s Style
The Queen’s fashion journey began in the 1930s, when she wore a bridesmaid dress by Edward Molyneux to the wedding of her uncle, the Duke of Kent. In the 1940s, as British couture gained prominence, Princess Elizabeth started working with Sir Norman Hartnell, who became her most influential designer. He created her wedding dress in 1947 and her Coronation dress in 1953.
Throughout her reign, the Queen’s eveningwear played a vital role in her wardrobe. The exhibition will feature crinoline-skirted gowns from the 1950s by Sir Norman Hartnell and Sir Hardy Amies, as well as outfits by Ian Thomas, who introduced softer silhouettes and striking colours to her evening dress in the 1970s. Three of his floor-length gowns—bright orange, sunshine yellow, and vivid blue—will be displayed for the first time.
Practical Everyday Style
The exhibition will also highlight the Queen’s practical everyday style. Visitors will see impeccably cut riding jackets, tartan skirts, and silk headscarves among the never-before-displayed examples of her off-duty wardrobe. These pieces reflect her ability to balance elegance with functionality.
Queen Elizabeth II would have celebrated her 100th birthday on April 21, 2026, had she lived. The exhibition will serve as a tribute to her enduring fashion legacy and her uniquely British style. Tickets for Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style will go on sale in November 2025, with dates to be confirmed in due course.
