LONDON: Buckingham Palace will host the largest exhibition ever dedicated to the late Queen Elizabeth II’s fashion next year, showcasing the lavish gowns she wore at her wedding and coronation to commemorate the centenary of her birth, officials announced Tuesday.
The landmark exhibition will feature around 200 items — nearly half of which have never been seen publicly — tracing the life of Britain’s longest-reigning monarch and her historic 70-year rule.
Queen Elizabeth II, who died in September 2022 at age 96, left behind one of the most significant wardrobes in modern British fashion history. She would have turned 100 on April 21, 2026.
Among the highlights is the tulle bridesmaid dress worn by an eight-year-old Princess Elizabeth in 1934, along with a series of impeccably tailored couture pieces created by her most influential designer, Norman Hartnell.
Queen Elizabeth II’s wardrobe
Hartnell designed several of the Queen’s most memorable ensembles, including the apple-green gown worn at a 1957 state banquet for U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower in Washington, D.C., the pastel-blue dress and jacket she wore at Princess Margaret’s 1960 wedding, as well as her iconic wedding dress and coronation gown.
The exhibition will also offer a rare look at the Queen’s off-duty wardrobe — from riding outfits and Harris Tweed jackets to raincoats and signature headscarves — along with design sketches and fabric swatches revealing how her timeless looks came together.
Despite her reputation for classic, understated elegance, the collection includes a surprisingly avant-garde piece: a clear, transparent raincoat designed by couturier Hardy Amies in the 1960s, allowing her vibrant daywear to remain visible in any weather.
The display will also feature pieces by three contemporary British designers — Erdem Moralioglu, Richard Quinn and Christopher Kane — who have been inspired by the Queen’s distinctive style, underscoring her enduring influence on modern fashion.
“is one of the most significant living archives in modern fashion history,” Kane said. “Her garments reflect the story of Britain and its evolving identity, and offer designers and students a masterclass in silhouette, construction, symbolism, and restraint.”
“Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style” will run at Buckingham Palace from April 10 to October 18, 2026. Tickets are now on sale.
