Next spring, the largest exhibition of the late Queen Elizabeth II’s wardrobe will open its doors to visitors in London, telling the story of Britain’s longest-reigning monarch through fashion. “Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style” is set to be the biggest and most complete display of her garments to date, showcasing roughly 200 items, half of which have never been seen by the public. This show will commemorate the centenary of her birth on 21 April 1926.
Visitors will not only be able to see the queen’s clothing and accessories but also never-before-seen design sketches, fabric samples, and hand-written notes. These items promise to reveal the behind-the-scenes effort of dressing the monarch and offer fresh insights into her personal role in its development.
Additionally, for the first time, the earliest surviving garments from the queen’s childhood wardrobe will go on display. For instance, guests would be able to see the silver lamé and tulle bridesmaid dress, crafted by Edward Molyneux, which she wore for the wedding of her uncle, the Duke of Kent, to Princess Marina of Greece, in 1934.
With the rise of British couture in the 1940s, Princess Elizabeth started working with Norman Hartnell. He became her primary designer for the next 30 years, solidifying his reputation as Britain’s top couturier by designing her 1947 wedding dress and 1953 Coronation dress, both of which will be exhibited.
The exhibition will feature gowns and dresses from the 1950s by Hartnell and Hardy Amies, alongside Ian Thomas’s distinctive, flowing printed dresses that embody the 1970s “boho glamour.” A significant number of these pieces are making their debut appearance.
A key highlight of the exhibition is expected to be a white gown designed by Hartnell for a 1961 state banquet in Karachi, Pakistan, which subtly integrated the country’s national colours. This will be just one example of how her wardrobe was curated for overseas engagement, demonstrating her approach to diplomatic dressing.
According to organizers of the show, Queen Elizabeth’s fashion archive stands out as one of the most significant surviving collections of 20th-century British fashion. “This exhibition will be a celebration of Queen Elizabeth’s uniquely British style and her enduring fashion legacy,” said Caroline de Guitaut, exhibition curator and surveyor of The King’s Works of Art.
The exposition is set to run from spring to autumn 2026 but still doesn’t have exact dates. However, the Royal Collection announced that tickets will be available starting in November 2025. A companion book, priced at £40 (approximately €46), is set to be released by the Royal Collection Trust in March 2026.
