The earliest surviving couture gown worn by Queen Elizabeth II will be on show as part of a spectacular event marking the centenary of her birth.
Her Edward Molyneux designed bridesmaids gown, worn for the wedding of Prince George and Princess Marina in 1934, will be one of the star pieces in a show at The King’s Gallery at Buckingham Palace which will open in 2026.
Queen Elizabeth II wore couture aged eight
The silver lamé and tulle outfit, which was made for her when she was just eight years old, will feature alongside 200 other items from the late Queen’s wardrobe, around half of which have never been on show in public before.
(Photo by Royal Collection Trust)
Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style is being put on by the Royal Collection Trust as part of celebrations marking 100 years since the birth of Elizabeth II.
(Photo by Royal Collection Trust)
There will be pieces created for the late Queen by some of the fashion names most closely associated with her such as Sir Norman Hartnell who designed her wedding dress as well as her Coronation gown. Both those iconic pieces will form part of the exhibition.
Less formal clothing will also play a part with some of Queen Elizabeth II’s casual wear, including tweed jackets, also on show.
The style surprise you didn’t know Queen Elizabeth II wore
The exhibition tells the story of Queen Elizabeth II through the clothes she wore through ten decades, from her earliest years as a young princess who wasn’t expected to succeed to the throne to a Head of State who would become the longest reigning Monarch in British history.
On show will be some of the accessories which became so closely associated with the late Queen throughout her life and reign including handbags and headscarves.
(Photo by Royal Collection Trust)
Among the never before seen pieces are some brightly coloured printed dresses by Ian Thomas, created for the late Queen in the 1970s.
Caroline de Guitaut. Surveyor of The King’s Works of Art, is curating the exhibition. She said ”over the course of Queen Elizabeth II’s remarkably long reign, her distinctive style became instantly recognisable around the world, bolstering the British fashion industry and influencing generations of designers and couturiers.”
The exhibition will open in the spring of 2026 with tickets going on sale in the coming months on the Royal Collection Trust website.
