Three special exhibitions marking the Platinum Jubilee of The Queen will be held at famous royal residences in the summer of 2022. The displays at Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle and Holyroodhouse will focus on major milestones in the historic reign of Elizabeth II and put the spotlight on the image of majesty created throughout her time on the throne.
The Coronation is at the heart of the exhibition at Windsor Castle, which opens on July 7th 2022 and runs until September 26th 2022. The dress and the Robe of Estate worn by The Queen on June 2nd 1953 will be on display. The gown was designed by Sir Norman Hartnell and features floral emblems from all four parts of the United Kingdom as well as imagery representing the Commonwealth. It was made of duchesse satin and encrusted with seed pearls, sequins and crystals.
Photo by Royal Collection Trust
The Robe of Estate was the creation of royal robe-makers Ede and Ravenscroft. Made from purple velvet woven by Warner & Sons, it features golden embroidery in the design of wheat ears and olive branches, symbolising prosperity and peace, surrounding the crowned intertwined EIIR cipher. Twelve embroideresses at the Royal School of Needlework spent 3,500 hours combined working the designs, using 18 different types of gold thread.
Past Jubilees take centre stage in the exhibition planned for Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh. The famous pink outfit designed by Sir Hardy Amie and worn by Her Majesty for the Silver Jubilee celebrations in 1977 will be on show alongside dresses and coats worn by The Queen at her Golden and Diamond Jubilee celebrations. The exhibition opens in July 2022.
Photo by Royal Collection Trust
Buckingham Palace’s summer exhibitions will focus on some of the most iconic images of The Queen. The first photographs of Elizabeth II as Monarch were taken by Dorothy Wilding, just days after the accession. These pictures went on to become the basis for some of the most familiar images of The Queen. They became the familiar face seen on postage stamps and coins for the first twenty years of her reign and Wilding’s photo of a young Elizabeth II also became the official portrait of the new Queen and was sent to every British embassy in the world.
Alongside the photos will be some of the jewels worn by The Queen in the famous Wilding portraits including the Girls of Great Britain and Ireland tiara. The Summer Opening of Buckingham Palace runs from July 22nd 2022 until October 2nd 2022.
Photo by Dorothy Wilding, Royal Collection Trust
Entrance to all the exhibitions is included in the price of admission to the venue where it is taking place. Full details of opening times and tickets are available on the Royal Collection Trust website.
