With just days to go until the centenary of the birth of Queen Elizabeth II, a brand new show spotlighting how her style created the image of modern Monarchy is now open in London.
Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style has opened at The King’s Gallery near to Buckingham Palace as the 100th anniversary of the birth of the longest reigning Monarch in British history approaches.
This is the biggest ever exhibition of Queen Elizabeth II’s style and it’s also the first major royal show about her life and legacy since her death in September 2022.
The Royal Collection Trust is putting some of the most famous items associated with Elizabeth II on display to tell her story and the story of her reign and its impact.
(Royal Collection Trust)
Image has always been central to royalty and the symbolism of some of the most important pieces ever worn by the late Queen is at the heart of the show. Her wedding dress, designed by Sir Norman Hartnell, is one of the star exhibits and is shown alongside the Queen Mary Fringe Tiara which she decided to wear even though it broke on the morning of her marriage.
Hartnell’s Coronation dress, called the most important gown in 20th century British history, is also on show. It’s covered in embroidery representing the emblems of the United Kingdom and Queen Elizabeth II had a major role in designing it, rejecting seven versions before settling on the dress that became one of the ultimate icons of her 70 year reign.
The christening gown she wore is also on show – a rare chance to see this truly historic piece of clothing which was also worn by dozens of other royal babies after it was commissioned by Queen Victoria, the Monarch Elizabeth replaced as longest reigning in British history. She also replaced her as creator of the royal baptism gown – in 2004, Elizabeth II decided this piece was too fragile to be used any more and had her dresser, Angela Kelly, create an exact replica which has been used for every royal baby born since.
This is a show about an entire reign and many of the late Queen’s outfits are lined up in a rainbow wall, with dresses next to suits next to skirts and jackets in an array of hues and all with a story to tell.
(Royal Collection Trust)
And that’s the point of this show. Some have said that the story of Elizabeth II is still too big and complicated for current historians to be able to explain fully given their proximity to it. The late Queen was the ultimate symbol of her country and this exhibition is all about how she used that to effect.
It’s also about how she shaped expectations of modern Monarchy. The walkabout was an invention of Elizabeth II’s reign but that meant being out in all weathers and she became famous for her see through umbrellas, designed to make sure she was always visible to those who had come to see her.
One of the most famous quotes attributed to her is ”I have to be seen to be believed” and that’s why the use of her style and image in the first real retrospective of her life and legacy since 2022 appears so salient. Every part of her reign is covered easily, visually and tells a story in itself.
There’s also plenty of excitement for the seasoned royal watcher as three of her most famous tiaras are on show; alongside the Queen Mary, there is also the Burmese Ruby Tiara and the Brazilian Aquamarine Tiara.
Some very personal items are also on show with the Queen Caroline and Queen Anne pearl necklaces making a rare appearance. These were presented to the then Princess Elizabeth II by her parents, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, when she got married. A bracelet given to her by Prince Philip for their fifth wedding anniversary, and the first they had marked since her accession, is also on show.
And as Queen Elizabeth II was so famous for her hats, as well as her headscarves, a huge display of headwear is also on show from on trend 1960s turbans to the famous silk squares she loved when out with her horses.
The exhibition runs from April 10 until October 19 2026 and tickets can be bought on the Royal Collection Trust website.
