They are the ultimate 70s style dresses and they were made with majesty in mind. Now, they are part of plans for one of the biggest royal style shows ever seen.
Three evening dresses made over 50 years ago for Queen Elizabeth II will be among the hundreds of items on display at a major retrospective of her fashion which opens in London in 2026 to mark the centenary of her birth.
Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style will be held at The King’s Gallery, Buckingham Palace from spring next year to co-incide with the 100th anniversary.
On show will be over 200 pieces telling the story of Queen Elizabeth II’s life and reign through fashion.
The three evening gowns from the 1970s will form part of the show. They were designed by Ian Thomas and feature bold prints and fluid lines and have been placed in the exhibition to show the ‘relaxed glamour’ of Queen Elizabeth II’s wardrobe at the time.
They will stand alongside some of the most famous outfits the late Queen ever wore. Star pieces include her wedding dress and her Coronation gown, both designed by Sir Norman Hartnell.
The oldest surviving couture gown ever worn by Elizabeth II will also be on show. Her bridesmaid’s dress from the 1934 wedding of Prince George and Princess Marina, created by Edward Molyneux, will be seen in public for the first time in decades.
The show also features more casual pieces including tartan skirts, tweeds jackets and, of course, handbags and headscarves.
Tickets go on sale in November 2025 on the Royal Collection Trust website.
