Buckingham Palace is set to open its doors to a landmark celebration of royal fashion as it marks the centenary of Queen Elizabeth II’s birth with the most comprehensive exhibition of her wardrobe ever staged.
The King’s Gallery will host “Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style,” offering visitors an intimate and unprecedented journey through the sartorial legacy of Britain’s longest-reigning monarch.
A century in clothes: from princess to Queen
Spanning approximately 200 outfits and accessorieswith around half on display for the first time, the exhibition tells the story of Queen Elizabeth II’s life through the garments she wore starting with rare childhood couture, such as the silver lamé bridesmaid dress designed by Edward Molyneux for her uncle’s 1934 wedding, to the instantly recognisable headscarves and riding jackets of her later years.
Each display piece represents a different decade or milestone, tracing her evolution from a young princess to a global symbol of continuity and grace.
The Queen’s most iconic and never-seen-before fashion pieces
From spring to autumn 2026visitors can expect to see some of history’s most famous fashion statements, including the Queen’s 1947 wedding gown and 1953 coronation dressboth created by her favoured designer, Sir Norman Hartnell.
But the exhibition also promises surprises never-before-seen design sketches, fabric samples, and handwritten correspondence will be featured, providing a behind-the-scenes look at the craftsmanship, collaboration, and personal touches that defined her approach to royal dressing.
Evening-wear by celebrated couturiers like Hardy Friends and Ian Thomas will map out changing trends and moments of relaxed royal glamour from the 1950s to the 1970s.
The Queen’s fashion archive and its legacy
A defining theme of the exhibition is the Queen’s use of fashion as a tool of soft power and diplomacy. A centrepiece is a Norman Hartnell gown worn at a 1961 state banquet in Karachi which ingeniously incorporates elements of Pakistan’s national colours as a sign of respect demonstrating how her clothing choices consistently conveyed subtle symbolism on the world stage.
Beyond formalwear, the show highlights Elizabeth II’s practical and personal side: the impeccably tailored jackets, tartan skirts, and weatherproof headscarves she wore for country walks, horse riding, and downtime at Balmoral. These “off-duty” clothes, though less photographed, set enduring trends in British fashion and remain sources of inspiration for designers today.
Now under the care of the Royal Collection Trustthe Queen’s fashion archive is regarded as one of the most important surviving collections of 20th-century British style. Exhibition curator Caroline de Guitaut describes the show as a “celebration of Queen Elizabeth’s uniquely British style and her enduring fashion legacy,” emphasising both her hands-on approach to her wardrobe and the role her style played in shaping the image of the monarchy worldwide.
When can I visit the “Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style” exhibition?
“Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style” will run at The King’s Gallery, Buckingham Palace, from spring to autumn 2026with ticket sales launching in November 2025.
For those captivated by royal history or the transformative power of fashion, this unprecedented exhibition promises a rare, personal look at the garments that helped define an era and the Queen who wore them.
