Queen Elizabeth II's Style: Buckingham Palace to Host Major Fashion Retrospective

In 2026, marking the centenary of the late Queen Elizabeth II’s birth, Buckingham Palace is set to unveil a monumental exhibition. Titled "Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style," the showcase is scheduled to open in the spring within The King’s Gallery. This display promises to be the most comprehensive retrospective of the monarch’s wardrobe ever assembled, offering a deep dive into the fashion that defined an entire era.

Visitors can expect to see approximately 200 distinct pieces of attire, with nearly half of these items being displayed publicly for the very first time. Caroline de Guitaut, the Surveyor of the Queen’s Pictures and project curator, emphasized the historical weight of this collection. She noted that this fashion archive represents one of the largest and most significant compilations of 20th-century British fashion now held within the Royal Collection. Among the centerpiece exhibits are two iconic gowns designed by the legendary Norman Hartnell: the Coronation dress and the wedding dress worn when Elizabeth married Prince Philip on November 20, 1947. Reflecting the era of post-war austerity, the wedding ensemble was nonetheless lavishly embroidered with 10,000 pearls.

The exhibition will trace the Queen’s sartorial journey from her earliest years. Included is a bridesmaid dress worn by the then-Princess in 1934, at the tender age of eight, for the wedding of her uncle, the Duke of Kent. The collection extends far beyond formal state occasions, offering insight into the Queen’s everyday personal style. Attention is paid to her preference for classic British tailoring, featuring impeccably cut riding jackets, durable Harris tweed coats, silk headscarves, and the distinctive tartan skirts favored during her stays at Balmoral.

To provide a richer understanding of how the royal image was meticulously crafted, the display will feature supporting materials. These include original sketches submitted by various designers, samples of fabrics, and even the Queen’s own handwritten notes and personal annotations. Furthermore, the influence of contemporary designers, such as Richard Quinn and Erdem Moralioglu, will be highlighted. An especially intriguing item is a transparent 1960s raincoat, created by Hardy Amies, specifically designed to ensure that the Queen’s vibrant daytime outfits remained visible, regardless of inclement weather.

The highly anticipated "Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style" exhibition is scheduled to run from April 10 through October 18, 2026. Those eager to attend should note that tickets are slated to go on sale starting in November 2025.