In a move that will likely thrill fashion historians and royal watchers alike, a new exhibition has been announced to celebrate the centenary of the late Queen Elizabeth II’s birth. The show, “Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style,” is set to be the largest and most comprehensive display of her wardrobe ever assembled.
It seems even the monarch’s impeccable style choices are to be put under the microscope, with the exhibition showcasing around 200 items, including everything from her famous hats and dazzling jewellery to the shoes she used for her more casual, off duty moments. Visitors will be able to witness the evolution of her fashion over a staggering ten decades, a sartorial journey from a young princess to a beloved Queen.
The display will also offer a peek behind the royal curtains, featuring never before seen design sketches and handwritten notes, shedding light on just how involved the Queen was in creating her distinctive look. Highlights are set to include her 1947 wedding dress and her magnificent 1953 Coronation gown, both designed by Norman Hartnell.
This fashion retrospective, which will take place at The King’s Gallery at Buckingham Palace in 2026, also promises to explore her use of “diplomatic dressing,” a subtle art form where her clothing choices were as important as her words during overseas tours. An official book, “Queen Elizabeth II: Fashion and Style,” will accompany the exhibition, because one can never have too much information on such a momentous occasion. Tickets for this royal fashion show are set to go on sale in November 2025.
