Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II died in 2022 at the age of 96. Next year in celebration of what would have been her 100th birthday, Buckingham Palace will display some 200 pieces of clothing worn by Her Majesty during her 70 year reign…and before. Many of the outfits have never been seen in public.
It is the largest exhibition of Queen Elizabeth’s fashion ever displayed and features a number of gowns including the gowns she wore for her wedding and coronation.
With a reign of 70 years, Queen Elizabeth II held the position longer than any monarch in British history
Frequently seen wearing a brightly coloured dress and matching coat with a purse hanging from her arm; the collection is viewed as the “most important collection of 20th century British fashion”.
Designer Norman Hartnell is the man behind many of Her Majesty’s couture costumes.
Among the collection is a tulle bridesmaid dress worn by a then eight year old Princess Elizabeth, riding clothes, tweed jackets, raincoats, and headscarves.
Also on display will be some of the design sketches and fabric samples used in creating Her Majesty’s fashions.
Designs by Hardy Amies, Erdem Moralioglu, Richard Quinn and Christopher Kane are also in the upcoming exhibition.
Christopher Kane spoke on the fashionable collection saying, “Queen Elizabeth II’s wardrobe is one of the most significant living archives in modern fashion history. From the decline of the court dressmaker to the rise of couturiers like Hartnell and Hardy Amies, her garments tell the story of Britain and its changing identity through fashion.”
He added, “for designers and students, it offers a master-class in silhouette, construction, repetition, symbolism and, perhaps most importantly, restraint.”
“Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life In Style” opens April 10, 2026 (her birthday) and runs until October 18, 2026. Tickets are on sale now.